The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1919-09-18
CHAPTER L.

man iounged against the wall of thu
station waiting for the express from
the east. SleEder of waist and hip
staiwart Of shoulder. some " inches o:
sinewy height. he was the figure OF ths
typical cattleman. His yes were deeI
set and far seeing; his lean, brown a
rougi1ened by outdoor life, was austere
and resolute in expression.
The train had barely stopped wher
n boyish looking, 1.-the limbed you'll
leaped from the platform. The blue
serge suit and checked cap ne wore die
not disguise the tact hat his working
clothes--his field uniform-were those
of "A COW %puncher. A few quick strides
brought him to the man in waiting.
Hoped you'd be or hand to meet me
Kurt, SO l could get out to the ranch
tonight. How's things up there"
Just the same as they were when
you left. TO-" said the one addressed
in whimsical tone. You've only been
gone 10 days, you know"
You don't say" calculated 10, fol-
lowing his companion through the
depot. City does age q man,"
Gone are the days Of the golden west
when spurred and revoivered horsernen
sprang into adde's and loped OUT OF
tho brush. or SKINNED oyer matted
mesquite on a hnckhoara drawn h
swift running ponies.
A long racing car was waiting for the
two men and they were soon speeding
over a hard baked. steel like road that
led up, around and over the far flung
| uDlnln fling hills h1fDra them
Il thought Kingdoms best a was
worth 1000, 900 bucks before / went to
Chicago" said Joe critically. but it
sure would look like a two-spot on
Michigan avenue"
The other smiled induigently.
Il trust everything out here won't
suffer by comparison with the things
you have seen during your journey"
Il should say not! 1t all looks pretty
good to me. l wouldn't change this
trail TO Top Hill for all the boulevards
and asphalts of Chicago. and our ranch
house has got any hotel | saw skinned
by 9 mile for real living. / had some
vacation. though. n it vac mighty
good of you to send me on that bust
ness. / tended to 1t, all right as soon
as l got there, before | took in any
w III ISL I = itpSt " NY
time ] won forget it III you. Kurt
Ito send me instead of going your
scis."
We'll, 10, you'd been co0ped UP here
Il long time for a youngster," said Kurt,
laying a han on the younger mans
shoulder, land ! saw you were rarin'
for g. little recreation. l thought you
would settle down to a hard seasons
! u-nrk if Vp. LOT 11tt a J3ft1o ,.o.aiy,oI
your report and check. You managed
that cattle deal very shrewdly. King
don was much pleased"
That's encouraging, but I feel bet
ter at pleasing you. Kurt"
They rode on without talking for
some distance. From time to time Kurt
cast a searching glance at the young
man whose eyes shone with a strange,
steady tight-a look of ex~altation and
despair combined.
The Car slowed down to conversa-
ftionaI need.
What tbs. 10? Did YOU come TO grief
when you let loose Let go all your
earnings In n big game without any
way-slips. or did you have such a round
of tl,eaters, cabarets and night life that
you arc feeling the depression of reac-
ton ="
You're guessing wrong" replied 10
sguietly, II know that's the way most
OF us Grass-fei men act when We get
a chance at white lights. / had a beau
uIui time tnar was as short and as far
off as a pleasant dream. AS l said,
i started out for a regular time. but I
didn't take a drink, or touch a card.
or-&ay, Kurt, / think I'd like to tell
you about it, I knew 20; won't kid me,
Tor Tn. in earnest and-in trouble.
Another quick glance at the blue
|, eyes, usually SO bringing with spark
ling gaVety but which were now serious
and des sJondent, brought a transformn-
ton to the grim face OF the older man
making him look kinder, warmer,
younger.
Shoot, Je:.r was all he said, but the
lad felt hat the crud word was backed
up by II real interest, a readiness to
hear and advise.
Some one gave me a steer TO a
dance place." he began. Hurricane
hail. think it was called, and as soon
as I looked In, I saw it was tougher
even than a cowbey's cravings called
fer; but | sort of stuck around until
l happened to look at one OF the tables
over in a cornered off place. A little
gtrf was sitting there alone, different
from all those other free looking ones
who We're dressed in high water skirts
and with waists that looked as If they
needed inside blinds to get by.
She had on u white dress, q real
tr~ess--nut Il skirt and bib-that coy
cred her, and without much filings
Her hair MS drawn back plain like .
kids. | knew right off she'd got il
wrong. and l thought It was up to m
to get her cut Of that Joint.
I, y vent over to her and said Elk
J cuse my nerve. little girl. but I CUES.
: you're in the wrong pew.
she looked at me sort OF funny
then she smiled and said: Same t.
YOU,
: Her voice sounded like low. sof
music-contralfn kind.
/ Yes i said. You're right I'm
cowboy. not q countrysboy, and I'm i,
Chicago to see the sights. but rd asl
for binders ~ 4 stayed around her
, much longer. Who brought you here!
B. Nobody she said. looking dowE
, i ans by myself 1ssa8ss9@ea
I'm ssisd7 OF It, 7 tell her. and Tn
: the guy that's going to take you AVA,
t frtpnl Ii are 49, &@sR ~