The Raymer enterprise., 1917-07-05

you're not IN TOO great hurry TO go
home. you may go with me-"
THAT would be fine," ne agreed.
"Come, then. I have a horse for
you" As she led the way back toward
the farm buildings, she explained: !:
I'm selling Of a bunch Of cattle. Be
nlto is rounding them up and cutting
out the best ones"
"You keep them. / reckon"
always. That's how / improve the
grade. You will see splendid herd
Of animals, Mr.. Law-the best In
south Texas. I suppose you're inter-
ested In such things"
I'D rather watch a good herd Of
stock than the best show In New
York." he told her.
When they came to the corrals, an
intricate series Of pens and chutes at
the rear Of the outbuildings. Law be-
held two thoroughbred horses standing
at the hitchlng rail.
"fm proud Of my horses, too," said
Alaire.
you have reason to be-" With his
eyes ailght, Dave examined the fine
points Of both animals. He ran q ca
ressing hand over them. and they rec
ognized in him a friend.
''These beauties were raised on
Kentucky bluegrass. Brother and SIS
ter. aren't theyT'
"Yes. Montrose and Montrosa are
their names. The horse is mine, the
mare Is yours" Seeing that Dave did
not comprehend the full import Of her
words, she added: "Yours to keep,
mean. You must make another Bessie
Belle out of her."
"Minei Oh-ma'am Law turned
his eyes from Alaire to the mare, then
back agaln. "You're too kind. ! can't
take her"
"You must"
Dave made as II to say something.
but was too deeply embarrassed. Un-
able to tear himself away from the
mares side, he continued to stroke her
shining coat while she turned an intel
ligent face to him, showing q solitary
white star In the center Of her fore
head.
See! She is nearly the same color
as Bessie Belle"
"Yes'm! II want her, ma'am; I'm
just sick from wanting her, but-won't
you let me buy herr
"Oh, / wouldn't sell her" Then, as
Dave continued to yearn over the anil
nal. like small boy tempted beyond
his strength. Alaire laughed. II owe
you something. Mr.. Law, and a horse
more or less means very little to me-"
He yielded; he could not possibly
continue his resistance, and In his
happy face Alalre took her reward.
The mare meanwhile was doubtfully
nosing her new master, deciding
whether or not she liked him; but
when lie offered her cube Of sugar,
her uncertainties disappeared, and
they became friends then and there.
He talked to her. too. In a way that
would have won any female heart, and
1t was plain to anyone who knew
horses that she began to consider him
wholly delightful.
"You do speak their language"
Alaire said, after she had watched
them for few minutes. "You have
bewitched the creature" Dave nod.
ded silently, and his face was young.
Then, half to herself, the woman mur-
INJURED, "Yes, you have a heart"
II beg pardony'
"Nothing. I'm glad you like her"
"Do you mind II I call her something
else than Rosa, just to myselfY'
"Why, she's yours! Don't you like
the namei'
"Oh, yes! But-see!" Dave laid a
finger upon Montrosa's forehead. "She
wears a lone star. and I'd like to call
her that-The Lone Star"
Alaire smiled In tacit assent; then
when the two friends had completely
established their intimacy. she mount
ed her own horse and led the way to
the roundup.
Dawes unbounded delight filled the
mistress Of Las Palmas with the keen
est pleasure. He laughed, he hummed
snatches Of songs, he kept up chat
ter addressed as much to the mare as
to his companion, and under 1t Mont
rosa romped like a tomboy. II was
gratifying to meet with such apprecia-
ton as this; Alalre felt warm and
friendly to the whole world. and de-
cided that out Of her abundance she
must do more for other people.
OF course Dave had to tell Of Don
Rlcardo's thoughtful gift, and conclud-
ed by saying, II think this must be
my birthdAy. although 1t doesn't fit In
with the calendar"
Don Ricardo has his enemies, but
he is good-hearted old man."
"Yes," Dave agreed. Then, more
gravely. I'm sorry l let him go across
the river" There was a peuse. IT
anybody harms him. reckon I'll have
a feud on my hands, for I'm q grateful
person."
Il believe It ! can see that you are
loyal