The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-04-14

very tall and quite lean, with the long
legs Of a horseman-this latter feature
accentuated by his high-heeled boots
and by the short canvas cowboy coat
that reached only to his cartridge belt.
His features she could not well make
out, for the fire was little more than
bed of Goals, and he fed it, Indian
like, with a twig or two at time.
II beg your pardon. I'm selfish"
She extended her cup and plate as an
invitation for him to share their con-
tents. please eat with me"
But he refused. 'I amt hungry" he
affirmed. ''Honest!''
Accustomed as she was to the diff
fdence of ranch hands, she refrained
from urging him, and proceeded with
heS repast. When she had finished she
lay back and watched him as he ate
sparingly.
my horse fell crossing the Arroyo
Grande," she announced, abruptly. "He
broke leg, and had to shoot him."
'1s there any water in the Grande?"
asked the man.
mo. They told me there was plenty
I knew of this charco, so made for
it,
''Who told you there was water in
the arroyo?"
''Those Medcans at the little goat
ranch"
''BalH. So you walked in from Ar
royo Grande. It's a good ten miles
straightaway, and reckon you came
crooked. Eh?"
Eyes. And it was very hot. 1 was
never here but once, and-the country
looks different when you're afoot"
ut certainly does" the man nodded.'
Then he continued, musingly: 'No wa
ter there, Ell? I figured there might
be little" The fact appeared to
please him, for he nodded again as
he went on with his meal. 'eNot much
rain down here, 1 reckon"
Every little. Where are you from ?''
me? Hebbronville. My name is
Law
Evidently, thought the woman, this
fellow belonged to the East outfit, or
some of the other big cattle ranches
in the Hebbronville district Probably
he was a range boss or a foreman.
After a time she said, 81 suppose the
nearest ranch is that Bali placer"
''Yes'm."
I'D like to borrow your horse.'
Mr.. Law stared into his plate. ''Well,
miss, I'm afraid
She added, hastily, I'll send you
fresh one by Ballfs boy in the morn
ing"
Law shook his head. 'I can't loan
you my horse. miss. I got to meet
man here"
''When will he Gomez"
He'd ought to be here at early dark
tomorrow evening" Needless of her
dismay, he continued, 'Yes'm, about
shutdown"
But can't stay here. I'll ride to
Balli's and have your horse back by
afternoon"
''My man might come earlier than I
expect" Mr.. Law persisted.
Really, 1 can't see what difference
it would make. 1t 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 a coal, he ex-
planned:
81 haven't got what you'd call ex-
actly an appointment. This Teller I'm
expectin' is a Mexican, and day before
| yesterday he killed man over in Jim
Wells county. They got me by phone
at HebbrOnville and told me he'd left.
He's headin' for the border, and he's
| due here about shutdown, now that Ar
royo Grande's dry. I was aimin' to
let you ride his horse"
''Then-you're an officer?''
''Yes'm. Ranger. So you see 1 can't
help you to get home till my man
| comes. Do you live around here ~
The speaker looked up inquiringly, and
after an instant's hesitation the wom-
an said quietly:
81 am Mrs. Austin" She was CRATE
full for the gloom that hid her face. 81