The Dolores star., 1924-08-01
CHAPTER Ix-contInued.

nch an he hefts about the same as
e. Put In one of them Hereford
hirts an a collar.
Yp. tucked the package surrepti-
ously In his room and awaited the
~ Of Zen's marriage with mingled
notions.
Zen. yielding to Transley's impor-
mites, had at last said that 1t should
Christmas day. The wedding would
In the house, with the leading
pchers and farmers of the district
invited guests, and the general un-
lrstandlng was to be given out that
e countryside as a whole would be
elcome. All could not be taken care
In the house, so Y.D. gave orders
at the hay was to be cleared out OF
he of the barns and the floor put in
Aape for dancing. Open house would
held In the barn and in the bunk
buse, where substantial refreshments
puld be served to all and sundry.
Christmas day dawned with a sea
nable nip to the air, but the sun
se warm and bright. As the hour
proached Zen found herself pos
ssed OF cnlmness which she
emed worthy of Y.D.'s daughter.
be had elected to be unattended us
e had no very special girl friend,
ID that seemed the simplest way out
the problem Of selecting someone
this honor. She was. however,
bply assisted with her dressing. and
color of her fine cheeks burned
(eper with the compliments TO which
e listened with modest appreciation.
At quarter to the hour II was dis
yercd that Y.D. had not yet dressed
the occasion. He was, in fact,
gagged with Landson in making
btative arrangement for the dis
button Of next years hay. Zen had
rn 50 insstent upon an invitation
bng sent to Mr.. and Mrs. Lnndson,
BIT Y. D., although fearing snub
his pains, at last conceded the
int. He had done his neighbor
her less than justice, and now he
welI-tilled stone jug. were burying
Ratchet in corner of the bunk
use.
'Dang this dressin'." Y.D. remon-
uted when message demanding
tant action reached him. Land
,, hear me now! wouldn't take a
lion dollars for that girl, y un-
fstand-and l wouldn't trade u
ngy cayuse for another"
30, grumbllng, he found his way to
room and began wrestle with
store" clothes. Before the fight
over he was being reminded
ough the door that he wasn't rop-
n steer, and everybody was wait
AT the last moment he discov-
d that he had neglected to buy
|es. There was nothing for 1t but
long ranch boots, so on they went
Pc sought Zen In her room. "Will
In this?' he asked. feeling very
epish.
len could have laughed, or she
lld have cried, but she did neither.
sensed in some way the fact that
her father this experience was a
itive ordeal. So she just slipped
arm through his and whispered !:
course you'll do, you silly old
Ter, and tripped down the stairs
the side of his ponderous steps.
fter The ceremony the elder people
down to dinner in the house, and
others in the bunk-house. Zen
radiant and calm; Transley hand
pe' delighted, selfpossessed. His
% luck was the subject Of many a
lment, both inside and out of the
mouse. He accepted 1t at its full
1e and yet as one who has right
expect that luck will play him some
ors.
uddenly there was rush from
Side and Zen found herself being
ried bodily away. The young
pie had decided that the dancing
10 walt no longer, so a half dozen
tiers had been deputed to kidnap
bride ane carry her to the barn.
ere the tiddles were already strum-
g. Zen Insisted that the first dance
81 belong to Transley. but after
she danced with the young ranch
ana cowboys with strict impartial
ANA even as she danced she found
seit wondering II, among all this
fesentatlon of the countryside. that
upon whom her thoughts had
nea so much should be missing.
found herself watching the door.
ely 1t would have been only a de-
respect to her-surely he might
helped to whIrl her joyously
INTO the new life in which the
"ad to be forgotten. How
.h better that they should part
way than with the memories they
Ut DennIson Grant did not appear.
uently he preferred to keep his
heh at last the night had worn
and 1t was time for the bridal
p'e 10 leave II they were to catch
morning train In town, and they