The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1923-06-28


the general appearance of white
rabbit and the manners of a mater
nally intentioned but none too eff
| cient hen.
Keith descended first, Molly darted
by his extended hand and ran straight
to Sandy, who had dlsmounted.
"Pm going to hug you, and Mormon
and Sam, as soon as we get home to
the RANCH" she cried. "Homel I'm
so glad to be here. Pronto, you
beauty. and my own bay. Blazel Do
you remember the trip over the mesa,
Blazer How did you know l wanted
to ride to Three Star instead Of
driver"
TOOK a chance" said Sandy. do
your The old -shyness lad
come over him, fighting with his
knowledge of the child who had
changed into a woman. And the pom
gee duster deceived him.
do II Didn't / write you l was
aching to fork saddlef Lookw
She unbuttoned the duster with
swift fingers and stripped 1t of, stand
ing revealed In riding toys Of smallest
black and white checks, coat flaring
out from the trim waist, slim. straight
legs In breaches and riding boots, a
white stock about the slender. round
ed neck. She gave one hand to Nor
mon, the other to Sam. gazing at her
In admiration that was radiant and
goggle-eyed. Sandy, looking down ut
her, saw her eyes crinkle at the cor
ners In the old way. Keith and his
son Joined them, coming from the car.
Miss Nicholson lowering behind In
gratlatingly.
"Glad to see you. Bourke," he said
"And you. Manning. You, too, Peters
Meet my son. Donald"
The three partners shook hands
gravely with the boy, appraising him
without his guessing It,
"Glad to see you out west" said
Mormon. "We'd sure admire to have
you visit us fo' spell"
II was hoping for bid" said young
Keith. Thanks. The car Is here, or
will be within an hour or two. Father
shipped 1t ahead. Sims wired us II
was at the junction. He will drive 1t
over for us to go on to Casey Town
as soon as he oyerhauls 1t. Then I'll
run in from the mines, as soon as
Dad can spare me.
donald has to get acquainted with
a real mining property" said Keith
affably. "Molly was certain you
would have a horse for her, Bourke.
Don't wait round for Us. We have to
get some supplies and we'll wait In
my car till the machine comes. Err"
he looked around, and Miss Nicholson
6uttered up-"this 10 Molly's compan-
Ion, Miss Nicholson. She goes with
you to the ranch. How ~
Sandy indicated the fiivver and In
troduced Miranda Bailey, who had
been directing the stowage of the
grips and the proper subordination Of
the porter. who had not seemed ap-
preciative of the fiivver.
Molly held out a gloved hand for
the reins Of the fretful Blase. Young
Keith advanced with the profBer of a
palm for her mounting. She shook
her head at him.
"Blaze wouldn't know what you
were trying to do. Dom" she said.
She turned the stirrup, set in her foot.
grasped name and horn and raised
herself lightly, holding her body close
to the bays withers for a second as
he whirled. then lifting to the saddle.
firm-seated, with laugh for Blaze's
plungings.
II see they didn't unteach you ridin'
back east" said Mormon admlringly.
Miss Nicholson clambered into the
fiivver beside Miranda Bailey. Sam,
Mormon and the grips packed the
tonneau. and Keith and his son were
left standing by the private car.
Keith was soon surrounded with q
crowd, making himself popular, nat.
tering them until they finally went
away convinced that they had all con.
stituted a flrst-class reception COM
mittee to meet the illustrious, the en-.
ergetic, ood-fellow-well-met promoter
and engineer Of other peoples for.
tunes.
There was not much spoken be.
tween Molly and Sandy on tho way