The Washington herald., 1921-06-05
An Q. Henry Story
THE MARQUIS AND MISS SALLY.

ing oVertaken Dy rate the
same day with the Marquis of Bo-
rodale.
The Marquis lived in Regent
Square, London. Old Bill lived on
LimpIng Doe Creek. Hardeman
County. Texas. The cataclysm that
enGulfed the Marquis took the form
of a bursting bubble known as the
Central and South American Ma
hogany and Caoutchouc Monopoly.
Old Bits Nemesis was In the no
less perilous shape of a band Of
civilized Indian cattle thieves from
the Territory, who ran off his en-
tire herd of four hundred head, and
shot old Bill dead as he trailed af-
ter them. To even up the conse-
quences of the two catastrophes, the
Marquis, as soon as he found that
all he possessed would pay only ff-
teen shillings on the pound OF his
Indebtedness. shot himself.
Old Bill left a family Of Six moth
erless sons and daughters. who
found themselves without even a
red steer left to eat, or a red cent
to buy one with
The Marquis left one son, a young
man, who had come to the States
and established a large and we'll
stocked ranch in the Panhandle OF
Texas. When this young man
learned the news he mounted his
pony and rode to town There he
placed everything he owned except
his horse, saddle, Winchester and
fifteen dollars in his pockets. in the
hands of his lawyers, with instruc-
tiOns to sell and forward the pro-
ceeds to London to be applied upon
the payment OF his fathers debts.
Then he mounted his pony and rode
southwark.
One day, arriving about the same
time, but by different trails. two
young chaps rode up to the Diamond
Cross ranch. on the Little Piedra,
and asked for work. Both wers
dressed neatly and sprucely in cow
boy costume. One was a straight =
set fellow, with delicate, handsome
features. short. brown hair. and
smooth face, sunburned to a golden
brown. The other applicant was
stouter and broad-shouldered, with
fresh, red complexion, somewhat
freckled. reddish, curling hair. and
rather plain face. made attractive
by laughing eyes and a pleasant
mouth.
The superintendent of the Dia-
mond-Cross was of the opinion that
he could give them work. In fact,
word had reached him that morn
ing that the camp cook-a most i'm
portant member of the outfit-had
straddled his broncho and departed,
being unable to withstand the fire
OF fun and practical jokes of which
he was, ex ofiiciO, the legitimate
target.
Can either of you cook?" asked
the superintendent.
Il can" said the reddish-haired
fellow, promptly. I've cooked in
camp quite a lot I'm willing to
take the job until you've got some
thing else to offer"
Now, that's the way I like to
hear a man talk" said the superin-
tCndent. approvingly. I'll give you
a note to Saunders, and he'll put
you to work
Thus the names of John Bascom
and Charles Norwood were added to
the payroll of the Diamond Cross.
The two left for the roundup camp
Immediately after dinner Their di-
rections were simple. but sufficient:
Keep down the arroyo for fifteen
miles till You get there" Both
being strangers from afar. young,
spirited. and thus thrown together
by chance for long ride. IT is
likely that the comradeship that
afterward existed so strongly be-
tween them began that afternoon
Is they meandered along the little
valley of the Canada Verd
They reached their destination
Just after sunset. The main camp
Of the roundup was comfortably
located on the bank of long
water-hole. under a fine mott OF tim
Der. A number OF small A tents
pitched uoon grassy spots and the
big wall tent for provisions showed
that the camp was intended to be
occupied for a considerable length
of time
The roundup had ridden in but
few moments before, hungry and
tired, to a supperless camp. The
boys were engaged in an emulous
display OF anathemas supposed to
fit the case of the absconding cook.
While they were unsaddling and
hobbling their ponies. the newcom-
ers rode in and inquired for Pink
Saunders. The boss Of the round
up came forth and was given the
superintendents note.
Pink Saunders, though a boss dur
ing working hours, was a humorist
in camp, where everybody. from
cook to superintendent. is equal. Af-
ter reading the note he waved his
hand toward the camp and shouted,
tremendously, at the top of his
voice, Gentlemen, allow me to pre-
sent to you the Marquis and Miss
Sally"
At the words both the new ar
rivals betray confusion. The newly
employed cook started with a sur
prised look on his face. but, imme-
diately recollecting that Miss
Sally" is the generic name for the
male cook in every West Texas COW
camp. he recovered his composure
with a grin at his own expense.
His companion showed little less
discomposure, even turning angrily,
with . bitten lip. and reaching for
his saddle pommel, as il to remount
his pony; but Miss Sally" touched
his arm and said. laughingly. Come
now. Marquis; that was quite a COM
pliment from Saunders. It's that
distinguished air of yours and aris-
tocratic nose that made him call you
tnat."
He began to unsaddle. and the
Marquis, restored to equanimity.
followed his example. Rolling up
his sleeves, Miss Sally sprang for
the grub wagon shouting:
I'm the new cook b'thunder.
Some of you chaps rustic a little
wood for a fire. and I'll guarantee
you a hot square meal inside of
thirty minutes" Miss Sallys energy
and good-humor, as he ransacked
the grub wagon for coffee, flour.
and bacon, won the good opinion
OF the camp instantly.
And also. in days following, the
l. l.