Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-01-08
The Ranch
at the
Wolverine
b. B M. BOWER
CHAPTER ".

CHAPTER w.
The Mystery Of the Missing.
v11HEN Charlie Fox rode down to
later, tied-his horse under the
shed and came up to the cabin as
though he knew Of no better place In
all the world; when he greeted ''nom-
ME" as though She were something
precious in his sight and talked with
her about the things she was most iu-
terested in and actually made her feel
as II he were Immensely interested al
30, Billy Louise simply could not help
admiring him and liking Dim for his
frank good nature and his kindness.
She had never before met man just
like Charlie Fox, though she had known
many who were what Ward once called
"parlor broke
1t was not until Charlie was leaving
that he gave Billy Louise hint that
his errand was not vet accomplished.
She walked down with him to where
his horse was tied and so gave him n
bloom against the dull brown Of the
chince to speak what was in his mi.d.
"You know, hate to mention little
worries before your mother" he said.
'aThose pathetic eyes Of hers make me
ashamed to bother her with thing.
But am worried, Miss Louise. came
over to ask you If you've seen anything
of four calves Of ours. I know you
ride a good deal through the hills.
They disappeared week ago. and
can't find any trace of them. I've been
looking all through the hills, but can't
locate them"
Billy Louise had not seen them, Ell
Their, and she. begged for particulars.
Il don't see how they could get away
from your cove" she said, unless your
bars were down."
'The bars were all right. 1t was last
Friday, I think. I'm not sure. They
were in the little meadow above the
house. you see. was away that night,
and Aunt Martha Is little hard OF
hearing. She wouldn't hear anything
unless there were considerable noise.
came home the next forenoon-I was
over to Seaback's-and the bars were
in place then. Aunt Martha had not
been up the gorge nor had any one
come to the ranch while was gone.
So you see, Miss Louise, here's very
pretty mystery"
"You think they were driven off,
don't your Billy Louise asked ques-
ton with the words and made state
ment Of it with her tone, which was a
trick of hers.
Charlie Fox shook his head, but his
eyes did not complete the denial "Miss
Louise, I'd work every other theory to
death before I'd admit that possibility.
don't know all Of my neighbors so
very well, but I should hesitate a long,
long time"
at needn't have been a neighbor.
There are lots Of strange men passing
through the, country. Did you look for
tracksY
II did not. didn't want to admit
that possibility. I decline to admit 1t
now" The chin of Charlie Fox squar-
ed perceptibly, SO that Billie Louise
caught faint resemblance to Marthy
IN his face. IT saw man accused of
theft once" he said. 1.-THE evidence
was-or seemed-absolutely unassaila-
BILE. And afterward he was exonerat-
ed completely. It was just horrible
mistake. But he left school under a
cloud. His life was ruined by the
blunder. I'd have to know absolutely
before I'd accuse any one Of stealing
those calves, Miss Louise. I'd have to
see them in a mans corral, with his
brand on them-I believe that's the
way it's done out here-and even
then"
"Where have you lookedT' There
were reasons why this particular sub
ject was painful to Billy Louise. "And
are you. sure they didn't get out Of
that pasture and wander on down the
Cove, among all those willows? It's
perfect jungle away down. Are you
sure they aren't with the rest of the
cattle? I don't see how they could
leave the Cove unless they were driv-
en- out"
Eyes, i thought Of that-strange as It.
may SEEM" Charles voice was unof-
! Tended. On the contrary, he seemed
glad that she took 30 keen an interest
| in his affairs. 1T has been week,
you know, since they few the coop. I
did hunt every foot Of that Cove twice
over. drove every hoof Of stock up
and corraled them and made sure these
four were not in the herd. Then l
hunted through every inch Of that will
low jungle and all along the blum and
the river. Miss Louise, put in three
days at 1t, from sunrise till 1t was too
dark to see. Then began riding out
side. There isn't trace Of them any
where. had just bought them from
seabeck, you know. drove them
home: and because they were tired.
and go was /, I just left them In that
upper meadow as came down the
gorge. hadn't branded them yet. l.
I know I've made an awful botch Of
the thing, Miss Louise" he confessed,
turning toward her with an honest dis
tress and a self-faying humility in his
eyes that wiped from Billy Louise's
mind any incipient tendency toward
contempt. hut you see I'm green at
this ranch game. And never dreamed
those calves weren't perfectly safe In
there. The fence was new and strong.
L 49, 80 49,