New Britain herald., 1921-09-03
GLORY RIDES THE RANGE
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 young woman!'
 Gloriana answered his exasperated cry with an overshoulder laugh.
 Glory now sought out her friend. Miss Philomena Miracle. She of the ntrange name was a rough bred girl who had just left the delights of the open life to tend bar for Edward Bristo at his "near-beer" place. the Oasis being enamored of Edward and hopeful of a long-delayed pro- posal of marriage.
 Hello. deary. what'1l you have?"
 Not a thing to drink" said Glor- iana.
 You don't say? Of the stuff?" The dry-barmaid's long black lashes only half-veiled the mirth of her snapping eyes.
 T dropped in just to see with my own eyes that the report you're here was true. Could hardly believe it. I always thought you had spunk." Gloriana continued in a grieved tone. Tt hurts me-it really does-to see man-strong. ranch bred girl like you-and the best locker in Rabbit Ear-prying the tin tops off soda bottles. Whats the idea. Mena? Do you think you're having a career?"
 'The idea Is that Ed Pristo thinks A comfort" countered Philomena. with breezy sniff. Does it happen that you've been slanting your yellow orbs his way? Glory Frazer. you ain't got interested in Edward?"
 No, no, Mena, I haven't a wisp of interest in our Eddie, except as concerns you. What I really came for Is to tell you the pinch I'm in and ask you to help me out. Can't you-won't you She paused to gather courage. then took the plunge: Come on back to the range you never should have left. Mena-get to doing something worth while! My dads had to make m unexpected trip down into Mexico, and it's up to me to run the ranch. Come along back to the saddle and be my foreman"
 But who is there to fore?" the dark girl demanded, cautious from past acquaintance with the Frazer la- bor troubles, although obviously al- lured by the prospect of rank.
 There Is Mary Ellen O'Grady to start with. and there will be T. Weed Gay. when he shakes off certain ties that bind him-namely, wrist and ankle cuffs.'
 It took considerable persuasion to induce Philomena to desert the Oasis. but when Glory convinced her that little absence from Edward might make his heart grow fonder. Mena consented to go to the ranch with her friend. She was to be foreman" and to ride a splendid horse she had al- ways coveted. called Flame. So it was settled. and in a few days the women at Blaze ranch were joined by the released T. Weed Gay. Glory had decided to stay on the place and run 1t.
 Tumble Weed was a genial. depend- able sort of ruffian. On the night of his arrival he scratched his false thatch as meditatively as though the hair grew from his scalp. then turned to Gloriana.
 .If you're the old man and Mena's the forewoman and Ellen's the cook. what--Little fishes, what am I?''
 "You. Tumble Weed? Why. you're the outfti"
 After supper. Gloriana settled be- foro the desk to attend to the con- fusion left by her fathers hurried departure. ome time was consumed restoring tho ranch office to its wonted neatness. but at last all their business papers were assorted to her satisfaction. She turned to re-exam- inc at leisure the parcel from the H0uth whlcn nad brought suCH hBhl- ming change into their lives.
 As she began to undo the wrap pings. she noticed that the postage had been paid in United States stamps The fact surprised her until sho remembered that Nogales was ac- tually on the boundary; that to drop mall within the States required but the crossing of a street.
 The next second, however. her ex- precision of reinsurance changed to intense scrutiny. And as she stared q doubt so cruel as to be well-nigh incredible hurt her mind.
 The only postmark stamped upon tho wrapping paper was that of Rab- bit Ear. Ariz. The packet had not travelled by mail from Nogales or any other border office. It had been posted in their own railroad town.
 The finger of suspicion strengthened. pointed. Timothy Rudd. late of Miss ouri. had been trading recently in Mexican horses; she knew that. With everyone else in their little world, he must have heard the details of their loss. Had he chanced upon