The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-10-16
CHAPTER III,

OAAIAA H. "Good-by, My Lady!''
 Cecelia and her brother rode slowly toward the station. Three days had succeeded that one night of event and emotion, tiresom e days, and the girl dropped weariIy in the saddle.
 Henderson had set this afternoon for his arrival, and as brother and sister rode along they heard the long scream of the engine giving warning rhat the train would soon pull in. Ce- celia jumped to the platform anc looked about. Everything was still new to her.
 A pulling, footing, and creaking, and the train rolled in.
 Henderson jumped out on the hot sand and waded to the platform.
 "Cece1iar'
 "Oh, Billyi" Cecelia cried back.
 Henderson instituted a fervid hand shake with Darrow to side his emo- ton.
 When they had cleared the last adobe hut and makeshift tent of Rodeo, and were ambling toward the ranch, Henderson turned suddenly and scanned Cecelia's face.
 "Ctssy, whats the matter with your" he asked.
 What do you nnean7" she asked.
 Something has happened" Hen derson stated ''You're not the same girl. You look-you've got a queer look in your eyes"
 Observing Henderson's wide eyes, she looked aside, a flush of embar- rassment rising to her cheeks
 Henlerson's brow was knotted, and he shook the ash from his cigarette gravely.
 Suddenly Cece1ia strengthened in the saddle. A horseman had appear ed farther on up the trail In a few moments they would meet. The girl watched his approach with absorbed eyes. Then abruptly he swerved in his course and plunged reckIessly down the treacherous descent of a sand hill.
 Cecelta's face. She gace her cayuse vehement cut with the quirt she had been carrying indo1ent1y. The animal, with a jump that nearly un- seated her. started off on a ga1lop.
 She gave her pony another cut and rode on at a reckless pace to the house.
 After Henderson had taken the ponies round to the corral he sat down on the veranda, lit another cig- arette, and interrogated the rolling ASNioS H4l4l u ouplSu eyes. CoCeId had disappeared into her own room
 It was a good half hour before Ce- celfa's brother drew up by the steps. He was out of humor and gray with dust. He slouched off the burro, and went into the house. Henderson fol- lowed him into the living room.
 I'm expecting a man to talk about buying the ranch" Henderson said shortly Think I'll sell out. Pm tired of it myself
 He stepped to the window to take another look over the wide, desolate ranges. There, was an equivoca1 ring to the laugh he gave as he saw Calder drawing uo by the porch.
 Here he is now." he said. 'tTll bring him in here. and we'll settle the business on the spot
 Shut up in the living room, Hen derson and Calder oickered for an hour
 As the afternoon waned into hushed purple twilight, they heard the soft swish of Cecelia Darrow's skirts and the light fall of her foot steps as she came through the entry and paused by the closed door.
 Henderson stopped abruptly in the midst of a proposition. Calder steppeo to the window and stared out.
 The knob turned. The door was quietly pushed open. Cecelia, in white. walked in.
 She stopped short
 Calder turned and with evident un- willingness, Henderson muttered an introduction. ]. Calder stalked toward the door.
 So-so." he said to Henderson
 well sign the papers in Rodeo tomorrow. Three o'clock
 He passed Cece1ia with mute glance and slight bow.
 It was not until she saw him van ish into the hallway that Cecelia re- covered herself. She stepped quickly after him.
 You must be one of Billy's old friends" she said. 'eI know he'd like to have you stop and share some or the good things he brought on for us to eat.''
 Calder turned aside her entreaty and stepped to the outer door where by the porch his pony awaited him
 He paused on the step before mounting and looked back at Ceceiia who had followed him. inviting him more urgently to remain
 Good-by, my lady. he said softly
 Swinging into the saddle he waved to the two men. who had just appear ed in the doorway, and saiioped of up the trail.
 Cecelia did not pretend good spirits