The Washington herald., 1921-06-05

ing the camp, ne nelQ long t&lkS
with him. He seemed to have taken
a fancy to Miss Sally. One after
noon he rode up. on his way back
to the ranch from a tour of the
camps, and said to him:
"Thererl be a man here In the
morning to take your place. As soon
as he shows up you come to the
ranch. want you to take charge of
the ranch accounts and correspon-
dence. L want somebody that can
depend upon to keep things straight
when I'm away. The wages IL be
all right. The Diamond-Cross IL
hold its end up with a man who'll
look after its interests"
"All right" said Miss Sally, as
quietly IL he had expected the notice
all along. ANY objections to my
bringing my wife down to the
ranch?''
You marriedr' said the superin-
tendent, frowning a little. You
didn't mention it when we were
talking
Because I'm not said the cook.
But I'd like to be. Thought I'd wait
till got Job under roof. couldn't
ask her to live in q COW camp"
Right" agreed the superinten-
dent "A camp isn't quite the place
for married man-but-weIl.
there's plenty of room at the house
and IL you suit US as we'll as thin
you will you can afford IL. You writ
to her to come on"
"All right" said Miss Sally again.
III ride in as soon as / am re-
lieved tomorrow"
1t was a rather chilly night. and
after supper the cowpunchers were
lounging about a big fire of dried
mesquite chunks.
Their usual exchange of jokes and
repartee had dwindled almost to si-
lence in a COW camp generally be-
tokens the brewing of mischief.
MISS sally and the Marquis were
seated upon log. discussing the rel
ative merits of the heightened or
shortened stirrup In long-distancc
riding. The Marquis arose presently
and went to a tree nearby to exam
inc some strips of rawhide he was
seasoning for making a lariat. Just
as he left little pun OF wind blew
some scraps of tobacco from a cigar
cite that. Dry-Creek Smithers was
rolling. into Miss Sally's eyes. While
the cook was rubbing at them. with
tears flowing, "Phonograph" Davis
so called on account of his strident
voice-arose and began a speech.
"Fellers and citizens, 1 desire to
perpound a interrogatory. What is
the most grievous spectacle that the
human mind can contemplated
A volley of answers responded to
his question.
"A busted flush"
"A Maverick when you amt got
your branding iron"'
Yourself"
The hole in the end of some other
feller's gum"
"Shet up, you ignoramuses,- said
old Taller, the fat COW puncher.
Phony knows what 1t is. He's wait
in for to tell u.s."
No. fellers and citizens" contin-
ued monograph. Them spectacles
you've enumerated air shore griev-
Gus. and way up yonder close to the
solution but they amt It. The most
grievous spectacle air that"-he
pointed to Miss Sally, who was still
rubbing his streaming eyes-"a
trustin' and a in-veegled female a.
weepin' tears on account of her
heart bein' busted by a false deceiv-
er. Air We men or air we cata-
mounts to gaze upon the bligghtin'
OF our Miss Sally's affections by q
a-ristocrat, which has come among
US with his superior beauty and his
glltterin' title to give the weeps to
the lovely critter we air bound to
perfect? Air we goin to act like
men, or air we goin' to keep on eatin'
soggy chuck from her cryin' so plen-
tiful over the bread-pan?'
It's gallopin' shame" said Dry
Creek. with a sniffle. Tt amt hu-
man. I've noticed the varmint a.
palaverin' round her frequent. And
him Marquis! Amt that a title,
Phony?"
It's somethin' like a king" the
Brushy Creek Kid hastened to ex-
plain, only lower in the deck Guess
it comes in between the Jack and
the ten-spot"
Don't misconstruct me-" went on
Phonograph, "as undervaluatin' the
a-ristocrats. Some of 'em air prop
er people and can travel right along
with the Watson boys. I've herd
ed some with 'em myself. I've view
ed the elephant with the Mayor
of Fort Worth, and I've listened to
the owl with the gen-ral passen-
ger agent of the Katy and they can
where you laid the chunk. But
when a Marquis monkeys with the
innocent affections of a cook k-lady,
may I inquire what the case seems
to call forT'
The Ieathers." shouted Dry
Creek Smithers.
you hearn 'er. Charity" was the
Kids form of corroboration.
We've got your company" as
sented the cow-punchers. in chorus.
Before the Marquis realized their |
intention, two of them seized him
by each arm and led him up to the |
log. Phonograph Davis, self-ap-
pointed to carry out the sentence.
stood ready, with a pair of stout
leather leggings in his hands.
1t was the first time they had
ever laid hands on the Marquis dur
ing their somewhat rude sports.
what are you up to-" he asked,
Indignantly. with flashing eyes.
GO easy. Marquis" whispered |
Rube Fellows, one of the boys that |
held him. IT'S all in fun. Take it
good-natured and they'll let you
of light. They're only goin' to |
stretch you over the log and tan
you eight or ten times with the
leggins. Twon't hurt much"
The Marquis, with an exclamation |
of anger, his white teeth cleaning. |
suddenly exhibited surprising
strength. He wrenched with his |
arms so violently that the four men |
were swayed and dragged many |
yards from the log. A cry Of anger |
escaped him, and then Miss Sally, |
his eyes cleared of the tobacco, saw.
and he Immediately mixed with the |
struggling group.
But at that moment a loud Hal