The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1920-05-13

The piteous bleating Of lamb float
ed to her. Kate dismounted and made
her way toward the sound. A pathetic
little huddle of frightened life tried to
struggle free at her approach. The
slim leg of the lamb had become
wedged at the intersection Of several
rocks In such a way that It could not
be withdrawn.
Kate pulled the boulder away, and
released the prisoner. She took the
soft. woolly creature In her arms and
examined the wounded limb, all torn
and raw from Its efforts to escape A
wound, she recalled, ought TO be
washed with cold water and bound.
Returning to her horse, she put the lit
tie animal In front of the saddle and
continued on the trail that led down to
the river.
Sweeney came out from the cabin
er-beaten man, who had ridden for her
father ever since she could remember,
what in Mexico you got thereT he
asked in surprise.
She explained the circumstances un.
der which she had found the lamb.
And what you aiming to do with
itf"
I'm going to tie up Its leg and take
1t across the river. Some Of the @. #.
herders are sure to find It before
night"
"Shoi What are you fooling with
Cass Fendrick's sheep fort" he
grumbled.
"It isn't sheep, but a lamb. And
I'm not going to see 1t suffer. no mat
ter who owns II. I'll just ride across
and leave 1t outside the fence" she
said.
"Lemme go. know the river bet
ter"
Sweeney did not wait for her assent,
but swung to the saddle. She handed
him the lamb, and he forded the
stream.
Sweeney saw some one disappear
into a wash as he reached the fence.
The rider held up the lamb, jabbered
sentence Of broncho Spanish at the
spot where the man had been, put
down his bleating burden, and can
tered back to his own side of the river.
An hour later, Kate, on the return
trip, topped the rise where she had
round the lamb. Pulling up her pony.
10 rest the horse from its climb, she
gazed back across the river to the roll
Ing ridges among which lay the @. F.
ranch. Oddly enough, she had never
seen Cass Fendrick. He had come to
Papago county few years before, and
had bought the place from an earlier
settler. In the disagreement that had
faiien between the two men, she was
wholly on the side of her father. Some
times she had wondered what manner
OF man this Cass Fendrick might be
disagreeable, Of course, but after pre-
cisely what fashionf
Your property. I believe, Miss Cul-
lison."
She turned at sound Of the sunve,
amused drawl, and looked upon dark,
slim young man Of picturesque ap-
pearance. BE was bowling to her with
an obvious intention Of OVERRIDING Il.
Her instinct told the girl who he
was. She did not need to ask herself
any longer what Cass Fendrick looked
like.
He was holding out to her the blood
stained kerchief that had been tied to
the lambs leg.
II didEt care to have It returned"
she told him with cold civility.
"Now, II you'd only left a note to
say SO. It would have saved me quite a
considerable climb" he suggested.
In spite of herself a flicker of
amusement lit her eyes. She had
sense Of humor. II did not think Of
that, and since you have troubled to
return It to me. can only say thank
you"
She held out her hand for the ker.
chief, but he did not move. 81 don't
know but what I'll keep II. after all,
for a souvenir"
She ignored his sardonic mOckery.
Il don't let live creatures suffer when
l can help It. Are you going to give
me my handkerchiefr
Haven't made up my mind yet.
Perhaps I'll have It washed and bring
It home to you"
She decided he was trying to nirt
with her. and turned the head OF her
horse to start.
"Now your father has pulled his
freight, expect II will be safe to CALL"
he added.
The bride rein frightened. what
nonsense are you saying about my IA.