Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-04-02

tions-the character Of tyrant and guilty
oppressor. He seemed to have adopted
the responsibility of the fellows condi-
ton, and he always met his TRADES with
a pacific, patient and even remorseful
kindness that never altered
One day Raider said to him, Try
more air, son. You can have the buck
board and a driver every day if you'll
go. Try a week or two In one Of the
COW camps. III fix you up plum com
Portable The ground, and the air next
to it-thems the things to cure you. l
knowed a man from Philadelphy, sicker
| than you are, got lost on the Guadalupe.
and slept on the bare grass In sheep
ed him getting well, which he done.
Close to the ground-that's where the
medicine In the air stays. Try little
hossback riding now. There's gentle
"Whatve I done to yer?" screamed Nc
CURE. Did l ever doublecross yer?
! Did l ask you to bring me here? Drive
me out to your camps If you wanter
, or stick a knife in me and save trouble.
| Ride! / can't lift my feet. 1 could mt
| sidestep a jab from a five year-old kid.
| That's what your id ranch has done
for me. There's nothing to eat, nothing
to see, and nobody to talk to but lot
of Reubens who don't know punching
| bag from lobster salad"
TITS a lonesome place, for certain, "
apologiZed Raider abashedly. 1--WE got
| plenty, but it's rough enough. Any
thing you think of you want, the boyll
ride up and fetch it down for you"
| 1t was Chad Murchison, a COW puncher
from the Circle Bar outfit, who first sug-
gested that McGuire's illness was fraudu-
lent. Chad had brought a basket of
grapes for him thirty miles, and four
out of his way, tied to his saddle horn.
room for a while. he emerged and blunt
ly cOnfided his suspicious to Raider
His arm" said Chad, 'ts harder'n a
diamond. He introduced me to what he
called shore perplexus punch, and twas
like being kicked twice by a mustang.
He's playin' 1T low down on you, Curt.
He ain't no sicker'n l am. l hate to say
it. but the runts workin you for range
and shelter"
The cattleman's ingenious mind re-
fused to entertain Chad's view of the
case and when, later. he came to apply
the test, doubt entered not into his
motives.
One day, about noon, Two men drove
up to the ranch, alighted, hitched, and
came In to dinner; standing and general
invitations being the custom of the coun-
try. One Of them was a great San An
tonic doctor, whose costly services had
been engaged by wealthy cowman who
had been laid low by an accidental bullet.
He was now being driven TO the station
to take the train back TO town. After
dinner Raider took him aside, pushed
twenty dollar bill against his hand, and
| said
doc, there's a young chap In that
| room l guess has got a bad case Of con-
sumption. Ia like for you to look him
over and see just how bad he is, and If
we can do anything for him."
How much was that dinner I~just ate.
Mr. Raidler?" said the doctor blufiy,
looking over his spectacles. Raider re-
, turned the money to his pocket The
Il, INN ItaF AgoCs rafa
room, and the cattleman seated himself
upon a heap of saddles on the gallery,
ready TO reproach himself in the event
the verdict should be unfayorable.
In ten minutes the doctor came briskly
out. Your man." he said promptly, lis
as sound as new dollar. His lungs are
better than mine. Respiration, temper
allure and pulse normal. Chest expansion
/ four inches. Not sign Of weakness any
where. OF course. didn't examine for
the bacillus, but It isn't there. You can
put my name to the diagnosis Even
cigarettes and a vilely close room haven I
hurt him. Coughs, does he? Well, you
tell him II isn't necessary. You asked II
there is anything We could do for him.
Well / advise you to set him digging
pOstholes or breaking mustangs There S
our team ready. Good day. sir" And like
a pun OF wholesome, blustery wind the
doctor was of.
Raider reached out and plucked a leaf
from n mesquite ouSn UE the raining HQQ
began chewing 1t thoughtfully
The branding season was at hand and
the next morning Ross Hargis, foreman
OF the outfit, was muste-ing his force
OF some twenty ave men at the ranch,
ready TO start for the San Carlos range.
where the work was to begin. BY G
o'clock the horses were ell saddled. the
grub wagon ready, and the cowpunchers
were swinging themselves upon their
mounts, when Raider bsde them wait A
boy was bringing up an extra pony.
bridled and saddled, to the gate. Raidle
walked to McGuire's room and threw open
the door. Mcclure was lying on HIS cot,
not yet dressed. smoking.
Get up," said the cattleman, and his
voice was clear and brassy, like a
a bugle.
"How's thati" asked Mcclure, a little
startled.
Get up and dress can stand a
rattlesnake, but I hate liar. Do I have
to tell you agsinl" He caught Mcclure
by the neck and stood him on the floor.
Say, friend" cried Mcclure wildly.
care you bughouse? I'm sick-see? ri
croak II I got to hustle what've | done
to yer he began his chronic whine
i never asked yer to"
Put on your clothes" called Raider
In a rising tore
Swearing, stumbling, shiverinR. keep
ing his amazed, shiny eyes upon the now
menacing form Of the aroused cattleman.