Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-22

he was range boss or foreman.
After time she said II suppose the
nearest ranch is that Bali placer"
"Yes'm."
I'D like to borrow your horse"
Mr.. Law stared into his plate. swell,
miss, Pr, afraid"
She added. hastily, "rll send you a
fresh one by Balll's boy IN the morn
Ing"
Law shook his head. II can't loan
you my horse, miss. / got to meet
man here"
"When will he Gomez?
He'd ought to be here Mt early dark
tomorrow evening"" Needless of her
dismay. he continued, "Yes'm, about
shutdown"
"Bnt-I can't stay here. I'll ride to
Balls and have your horse back by
afternoon"
"My man might come earlier than l
expect" Mr.. Law persisted.
"Really, l can't see what difference
1t would make. II wouldn't interfere
with your appointment to let me-
Law smiled slowly, and, setting his
plate aside, selected fresh cigarette /;
then, as he reached for COAL he ex-
planned:
II haven't got what you'd call ex-
nctly an appointment. This Teller I'm
expectin' is Mexican, and day before
yesterday he killed 4 man + in Jim
Wells county. They got me by phone
Mt Hebbronvile and told me he'd left.
He's he:din' for the border, and he's
due here about shutdown, now that Ar.
royo Grande's dry. was amin to
let you ride his horse"
"Then--you're IN ofiicer?"
"Yes'm. Ranger. SO you see can't
help you to get home till my man
comes. Do you live around here?
The speaker looked UP inquiringly, and
after an instants hesitation the WON
an said quietly:
IT am Mrs. Austin" She was crate
full for the gloom that hid her face. u
role out this way to examine trac,
of grazing land"
: II seemed fully Il minute before the
Ranger answered; then he said, In
casual tone. II reckon Las Palmas Is
quite q ranch, ma'am."
"Yes. But we need more PASTURE
II know your La Ferin ranch too.
was with General Castro when we had
that fight near there"
"You were Madcrista?'
"Yes'm. Machne-gun man. That's q
fine country over there. Seems like
the Almighty got mixed Nd put the
Mexicans on the wrong side of the
Rio Grande. But reckon you haven't
seen much of La Feria since the last
= revolution broke OUT
mo. We have tried to remain neil
trail, but" Again she hestated. "Mr
Austin has enemies. Fortunately botl
sides have spared La Feria.'
Law shrugged his broad shoulders
ooh, well, the revolution isn't over
A ranch in Mexico is my idea of BAT
investment" He rose and, taking hi
blanket, sought favorable spot upol
which to spread It. Then he helped
Mrs. Austin to her feet-her muscles
had s.iffcned until she could barrel,
stand-after which he fetched his sad
die for pillow. He made no apollo
ees for his meager hospitality, nor di'
his guest expect any,
When he had staked out his hors
for the night he returned to find III
woman rolled snugly in her covering
as In cocoon. The dying embers flick
cred into flame and lit her hair redly
She had laid off her felt hat, and on
G loosened braid lay over her hard pill
low Thinking her asleep, LAW stoO
J. motionless,. making no attempt to hid
, his expression Of wonderment unit
h Unexpectedly, she spoke.
O "What will you do with me whe
a your Mexican comcs?" she said
swell, ma'am. reckon I'll hide 70
o out in the brush till tame him.
G "Thank you. I'm used to the open.
He nodded as If he well knew the
" she was; then, shaking out his slicke
turned away.
:. AS he lay staring up through tn
= thorny mesquite branches that roofe
him inadequately from the dew, h
II marveled nightly. A bright, stead.
!. burning star pceped through the leave
T. ut him. and as he watched It he remen
bered that this .red-haired woman wit
r the. still, white face was known far an
= wide through the lower valley as 9Th
g Lone Star" Well, he unused, the nan
fitted her. she was, If reports WEI
IS true, quite as mysterious, quite as col
y and fixed and napproachable, as Il
title implied Knowledge Of her idel
i. tity had come as shock, for La
4 knew something OF her history, and
1t find her suing for his protection W,
% quite thrilling. Tales Of her pa
Is beauty were common and not tam
n but she was all and more than 81
had been described.
= She had not been too proud and co
Is to let him help her. In her fatigt
she had allowed him to lift her al
IL to make her more comfortable. II
'f against his palms--palns unaccu