San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-14

1 There was close camaraderie be
tween these two.
"And your father says Boyce Glen
denning will be up from Ell Ric
Rancho to run his silver horse"
Instantly Val frowned.
"Funny how dad likes that man,
she said, she thinks the sun rises
and sets in him."
HE must be good man, else
your father would not think so. y
said Belle, quietly, "and isn't he
young?"
Yes"
sand bandsome?"
"Yes, he is. Big, blond, heavy
shouldered, and with the smartest
eyes ever saw-except dads when
he's studying some one.
"Boyce Clendenning's got sense, !
stake my pile"
"And he's got more than any man
of his youth in all this country. The
proper worth of FL Rio Rancho itself
makes him rich, not to mention the
range he holds"
"All true, Belle DEAR" said Val,
"but Just the same I'd rather dance
with Billy Smith from the Lazy b,
or that Texas boy who rides for
Quinlan. And say, say. mamma! but
that boy can dance! He's slim as a
reed and his feet are like tumble
weeds in the wind. l hope he'll be
in Santa Leandra this time. Haven't
seen him for six months. not since
the day / rode with dad after cattle
down Arroyo Pecos way"
mice boy. of course" said Mrs.
Harmon. "but the daughter of the
Boss of Paradise must look a little
higher. than cowhand. dear. Your
father has reached always for the
highest. the best in its. line. as he
says of everything. Il like it, he
says. no matter what it is. because
it's tue best in its line / guess he
likes Clendenning because he's the
biggest cattleman-after himself-in
the country"
at guess" said Val.
THAT'S why he loves the Redstar,
too-why he's so proud of you, Val.
and of Paradise. He's got the best
in its line of everything the range
land gives" IA
an wives. too" laughed the p. girl
as she put the finishing touch to the
gauzy white fluff and hung il care
fully away behind "A. curtain against
the ancient wall. II guess we're not
some proud family. all right"
And pride was in Belle Harmon as
she rose and went swiftly and sure
footedly away Into the northern re-
gions of the house on some business
Of the mistress among her ervants,
cumming little soft tune-the
pride of the loving heart in the
strength and power of those it loves,
Val. clear of. the tedious. sewing.
stretched her young arms, snatched
\ sombrero from corners drew a
flannel shirt over her curly head
ionned a riding skirt and ran ont
iiong the stone floor of the narrow
Veranda that edged the house and
the patio both. ~
Three cowboys in dusty clothes
we're coming in from the corrals
Priston the foreman, Dirk Hammond
md Rosy Peters. 3
At sight of the girl every pair of
Eyes softened, each leans face broke
nto a smile. ~ 81. q
As If she did not see them Val
itrode briskly along and. bumped |
nto them and they knowing tile
title trick. leaned in together. max
ng a solid wall of defense =. the
weakest wall OF defense in all the |
world against the sweetest assault.
"Oh. I beg your pardon, gentle
men :" cried Val. her lovely eyes wide. |
but you're all so small II nearly !
an over you."
Chuckling. the riders passed into
he house. for Fanita was ringing
he big bell that spelled dinner to
hose within its sound. but Val
wung ont TO the corrals and looked
mong the horses there for Redstar
Ie was not there, but Redaloud was.
rotting restlessly about, his beauti-
III head tossing, his pasterns spring
ng with every step, plant as tenn
cred steel f.r i
So The boss rode west. And he
ode Redstar. Of course.
Well. she would take Redcloud-l
r no--there was Dawnlight .drows-
ng in the sum-. belying her name and
Ter nature with seeming meekness.
'al CAUGHT her no and flung sad
lie on her shining back-and the |
'ixen snread her slim legs. drew in
deep breath and lifted her spine a