The Raymer enterprise., 1923-06-07

Sau' SeCkOH 4 WOu Stuuu 70 De
classed with Body an Ned. There
amt no cowboy on this range thet's
more appreciatin' Of the ladies than
me, but shore alnt ridin' out Of my
way. reckon I he1 enough ridin' to
do. Now, Bill, y ysu'ye sich dog-gone
good eyes mebbe 3ou seen somethln'
on the way ouss"
"Nels, / hevp% seen nothin'," he re-
piled, bluntly.
"Jest take squint at these hoss
tracks," said Nels, and he drew still
well few PAGES aside and pointed to
large footprints In the dust. II reckon
you know the hoss thet made themw
Scene Stewards roam, or I'm son.
of.a.gun" exclaimed Stillwell, and he
dropped heavily to his knees and began
to scrutinize the tracks. Nels, who
ever was straddlIn' Stewards hoss met
somebody. An they hauled up a bit,
but didn't git down."
"Tolerable good for you, Bill, thet
reasonln'," replied the cowboy. II
reckon you know what hoss made the
other tracks7"
"rm thinkin' hard, but I amt sure"
ut was Danny Mains bronc."
"How do you know thet?" demanded
stillwell, sharply.
"Bill. the left front foot Of thet little
hoss always wears a shoe thet sets
crooked. Any Of the boys can tell you.
I'd know thet track II l was blind"
"Nels, you don't think the boys
sloped with thet little hussy, Bonitas"
"Bill. he shore was sweet on Bonita.
same as Gene was, an Ed Linton be.
fore he got engaged, an all the boys.
She's shore chain llghtnin', that little
black-eyed devil Danny might hev
sloped with her all right. Danny was
held up on the way to town, an then
In the shame Of It he got drunk. But
he'll show up soon."
oval. mebbe you an the boys are
right. believe you are. Nels, there
amt no doubt on earth about who was
ridln' Stewards hoss1'
"Thet's as plain Us the hoss' tracks"
"Wal, It's all amazin' strange. 1t
beats me. l wish the boys would ease
up on drlnkin'. was pretty fond of
Danny an Gene. I'm afraid Genes
done fer, sure. II he crosses the bor.
der where he can fight 1t won't take
long fer him to get plugged. ! guess
Tn gettin' old. I don't stand things
like I used to-"
"Bill. I reckon I'd better hit the Pei.
onciIo trail. Mebbe can find Danny"
n reckon you had, Nels," replied
Stillwell. "But don't take more'n
couple Of days. We can't do much on
the roundup without you. I'm short
Of boys"
That ended the conversation. Still.
well Immediately began to hitch up
his team. and the cowboys went out
to fetch their strayed horses. Made
line had been curiously interested. and
she saw that Florence knew It.
"Thlngs happen, Miss Hammond"
she said, soberly. almost sadly.
Madeline thought. And then straight.
way Florence began brightly to hum
tune and to busy herself repacking
what was left Of the lunch. Madeline
suddenly conceived strong liking and
respect for this Western girl.
Soon they were once more bowling
along the road down a gradual In
cline, and then they began to climb a
long ridge that had for hours hidden
what lay beyond. That climb was
rather tiresome. owing to the sun and
the dust and the restricted view.
Presently. at the top Of the steep
ascent, Stillwell got out and walked,
leading the team. During this long
climb fatigue claimed Madeline, and
she drowslly closed her eyes, to find
when she opened them again that the
glaring white sky had changed to
steel-blue. The sun had sunk behind
the foothills and the air was growing
chilly. Stlllwell had returned to the
drivlng-seat and was chuckling to the
horses. Shadows crept up out Of the
hollows.
"Wal, Flo," said Stillwell. II reckon
we'd better hev the rest Of thet there
lunch before dark"
"You didn't leave much of It."
laughed Florence, as she produced the
basket from under the seat.
While they ate, the short twilight
shaded and gloom filed the hollows.
Madeline was glad to have the robes
close around her and to lean against
Florence. There were drowsler spells
In which she lost feeling Of where
she was, and these were disturbed by
the jolt of wheels over a rough place.
Then came a blank interval, short or
long, which ended In more violent
lurch Of the blackboard. Madeline
awoke to find her head on Florence's
shoulder. She sat up laughing and
apologizing for her laziness. Florence
assured her they would soon reach the
ranch.
cHAprEp