The Dolores star., 1918-02-08

''Oh. but 1t isv' laughed Billy Louise.
II only wish had half a. clear tick-
ct. When he isn't working out he's
wol6ng, and every dollar he gets hold
of he puts into that ranch. We've
known him q long time He doesn't
blow his money, you see, like most fel-
lows do"
Floyd found occasion to have
slight argument with his horse Just
then. He happened to be one Of the
''most" fellows, and the occasion of
his last ''bl0wout" was fresh In his
mind.
"well, Of course II you know he's an
straight that settles it But 1t sure
seems queer"
''That fellow u a. straight a. Q
string. Don't you suppose it's some
gang over on the river. Floydf I'd
look around over there. I believe, and
try to get line on the unaccountables.
There's lot Of new settlers come in
just In the last year or two, and there
might be some tough ones scattered
through the bunch. Better see IL there
has been any cattle shipped or driven
through that way. don't you thinkr'
"We can try" Floyd assented with
out eagerness. "But a. near a. We
can figure it's too much Of q drib drab
proposition for that. A COW and calf
here and there, and 20 on. We got
wind Of It first when we went out to
bring In q gentle COW that the deacon
wanted on the ranch. We knew where
she was, only she wasn't there when
we went after her. We hunted the
hills for q week and couldn't ind q
sign Of her or her calf. And she had
stuck down in the creek bottom all the
spring. 20 It looked kind q funny"
He twisted In the saddle and looked
back at the pine clotted ridge.
There's Y8 calf up there that's q
dead ringer for the one we've been
hunting" he observed. ''but it's run
ming with q cow that carries Junkins'
old brand, so'- He looked apologet-
ically into the calm eyes Of Billy
Louise. "Of course don't mean to
say there's anything wrong up there"
he hastily assured her. "But that's
the reason thought I'd ask you about
that fellow"
"Oh, it's perfectly right to make sure
Of everybody" smiled Billy Louise.
''I'd do the same thing myself. But
you'l find everything's all straight up
there. We know all about him and
how and where he got his few head Of
stock and everything. But of course
you could ask Junkins II you have any
doubt"
"Oh, wen take your word for it. I
just wanted to know. He's stranger
to our outfit. I've seen him a few
times. What's his name? Us boys
call him Noisy. It's like pulling a wis
dom tooth to get any kind a talk out
of him"
-He is awful quiet" assented Billy
Louise carelessly. "But he's real
steady to work"
'4Them quiet fellows generally are"
put In Mr.. Birken. "You run stock In
here. too. do you, Miss MacDonaldr"
-The big Ds." answered Billy Louise
and smiled family. 'Pve been range
herding them back here in these foot
hills this summer. Do you want to
look through the bunch7"
| AAGs DAAou UAubuGU. On, NO, NOT n
ALI was wondering If you had lost
any"
Nobody would rustic cattle from q
lady. I hope. At any rate, haven't
missed any yet The folks down In the
Cove have. though"
Eyes. heard they had. That breed
rode over to see II he could get q line
on them. It's hard luck. That Charlie
Fox seems q flne, hard working boy,
don't you Think"
"Yes-s," said Billy Louise shyly, 'she
seems real nice" She looked away
and bit her Lip self consciously a. she
spoke.
Tho two men swallowed the bait like
. hungry dsh. They glanced at each
other and winked knowingly. Billy
Louise saw them from the tail Of her
downcast eye and permitted herself q
little sigh Of relief. They would be
the more ready now b accept at its
face value her statement concerning
Ward, unless they credited her with
the feat Of being In love With the two
men at the same dina