The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1919-10-09


| will pay you we'll"
The last words were unfortunate.
Hospitality In the ranching country Is
not bought and sold.
"YOu can't pay me nothin'." he said !
rudely. "But can bring light
wagon. II. you can ride In that. and
put you up at the ranch. The old !
mans sOused," he added, as an after
thought. "but It's better than sleepin'
out. won't be long" -....-......
He was back at his horse, and in
a moment they heard the clatter OF
hoofs galloping down the hillside.
The girl rested her fathers head in
her lap. Tears made her bright eyes
brighter still.
"D0n't cry. Reenie," he said gently.
1--WE are very lucky to be so close to
help. OF course I'll be laid up for a
while, but IL will give you chance
to see ranch life as 1t really is" He
WINGED with pain but continued: 81
fancy We shall find 1t plain and un-
veneered. What n hOrseman II
could run an automobile like he does
u UOTSt VIC uOt OC hViVs
Hes strong" she said. "But he's
rude"
"The best fields for muscle are often
poor schools for manners" he an
swered.
The boy was soon back with
wagon and a stretcher He avoided
the eyes Of his guests. but quickly
n. h.s sNIn Nhxs tn
jured man on the stretcher. 81 guess
you'll have to take the feet" he said.
The words were for the girl although
he did not look ut her. 81 could
hustle him myself but 1t might hurt
| i'm"
But the injured man interrupted.
Il beg your pardon" he said, that l
did not introduce my daughter. am
Doctor Hardy; this Is my daughter
Irene. Mr."
| "They don't call me mister" said
the boy. "Misters Is scarce in these
woods. My name Is Elden-Dave
Eden"
The girl came up with extended
hand. He took 1t shyly, but 1t made
him curlOusly bold.
''I'm glad to meet you. Mr.. Eden"
she said.
''Tm glad to meet you. too" he an
4 swered. "Misses Is scarcer than mis-
ters In this neck o. the woods"
Carefully they lifted the injured
man into the wagon, and Dave drove
to the ranch building with an un-
wonted caution that must have caused
strange misgivifgs In the hearts OF
his team.
ut amt much OF a place" he said.
as they pulled up at the door. u
guess you can see that for YOURSELF
he added. with a grin. "You see
there's just dad and me, and he's
, soused most of the time, and handle
IA lusso better'n scrubbin' brush
He was already losing his, shyness
Now you take the feet again. Steady
> Look out for that barrel hoop. Thi:
: way now"
$ He led into the old ranch house
D kicking the door wider open with hi!
Q heel ns he passed. A partition from
[ east to west divided the house, ant
n another partition from north to soutl
q divided the northern half. In tn
/ northeast room they set the street.-The
n on the floor.
r snow" said the boy, I'm goin' TO
u the doctor. It's forty miles to towr
u and it'll likely be mornln' before III
s. back. but I'll sure burn the trai
1t There's grub in the house, and 20
/ won't starve-that is IL you can cook.
? tThis was evidently for Irene. Their
le was IA note In 1t that suggested tn
'e girl might have her limitations.) I'D
into anythin' In sight. And l hop
ID your fathers leg won't hurt yer
II much"
IL "Oh. I'll stand It." said DOctf
ie Hardy, with some cheerfulness. Nv
medical men become accustomed
IN suffering--in other people. You al
rs very kind My daughter may renal
III in this room, suppose2 There
u. no one else?"
=" mo one hut the old man." he a
swered. Hes asleep In the ne
u" roOm safe till mOrnin'. I'll be bat
by that time. That's my bed" I'M
e' eating corner. make yourselves
W. home" He lounged through the doc
''u and they heard his spurs clankil
across the hard earth.
The girls first thought was for h
-, father. She removed his boot al
49,, stocking, and under his direction, 5
49,, the leg of his trousers above the
,.a Jury. II was bleeding little. In I
large room of the house she found
90 pail of water, and she bathed
,,r, wound, wipng 1t with her handk
- chief and mingllng tear. or two WI
,ot the warm blood that dripped from
You're good stuff" her father 81
%, pressing the fingers of her unoccupi
I'm hand. "Now II you could find Gle
oid cloth to bandage it"
a