The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1920-06-25

Dc NllHuIdWI.
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
and hailed her. He was a squat, wealth
er-beaten man, who had ridden for her
father ever since she could remember.
What in Mexico you got there?" he
asked in surprise.
She explained the circumstances un-
der which she had found the lamb.
"And what you aiming to do with
it?"
I'm going to tie up its leg and take
it across the river. Some Of the c.. f.
herders are sure to find 1t before
night"
"Sho! What are you f~ooling with
Cass Hendricks sheep for?" he
grumbled.
ut isn't a sheep, but a lamb. And
I'm not going to see 1t suffer, no mat
ter who owns it. I'll just ride across
and leave it 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
Il 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
found the lambA i'ulling up her pony,
to rest the horsesi Prom it's climb, she
gazed back across the river to the roll
ing ridges among which lay the G. f.
ranch. Oddly enough, she had neve
seer Cass Fendrick. He had come to
Papago county a few years before, and
had bought the place from an earlier
settler. In the disagreement that had
fallen 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;
d~isagreeable, of course, but after pre-
cisely what fashion?
lison."
She turned at sound of the suave,
amused drawl, and looked upon a dark,
slim young man Of picturesque ap-
pearance. He was bowling to her with
an obvious intention Of OVERRIDING it.
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.
Il didn't care to have 1t returned"
she told him with cold civility.
snow, If you'd only left a note to
say so, it would have saved me quite a
considerable climb" he suggested.
In spite Of herself q flicker Of
amusement lit her eyes. She had q
sense of humor. 81 did not think Of
that, and since you have troubled to
return 1t to me, I can only say thank
you"
She held out her hand for the kerr
chief, but he did not move II don't
know but what I'll keep 1t. 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 roy handkerchiefY' 3
Haven't made up my mind yet.
Perhaps I'll have 1t washed and bring
II home to you."
She decided he was trying to flirt
with her, and turned the head Of her
horse to start.
Nov your father has pulled his
freight, l expect 1t Will be a I to CALL
he added.
The bride rein frightened. "What
nonsense are you saying about my ia
ther?"
"No news, Miss Cullison I; just what
everybody is saying. that he has gone
to cover on account Of the ~holdup."
"A chill fear drenched her heart. do
you mean the holdup of the Limited at
Tin Cupf"
mo ! don't" He looked at her
sharply. MEAN to say you haven't
heard of the holdup Of the w. & S.
Express company at Saguache"
mo. When was it2"
Tuesday night. The man got
away with twenty thousand dollars"
And what has my father to do with
thatY' she demanded haughtily.
A satisfied spleen purred in his
voice. MY dear young lady. that is
what everyone IL asking" sFE.
sgyUlA - 49, -AW.U