The Dolores star., 1924-06-06


she had none. Drazk very deliberately
ward the meadows.
"Oh, won't i fix him !" she said, rs
she continued her toilet in fury. She
had not the faintest idea what re-
vense she would take. but she prom
ised herself that 1t would leave moth
ing TO be desired Then, because she
was young and healthy and an op-
timist, and did not know what 1t meant
to be afraid, she dismissed the Incl
dent from her mind to consider the
more urgent matter of breakfast.
Tompkins, the cook, had not needed
Iransley's suggestion to put his best
FOOT forward when catering to Y.D. and
his daughter. TompkIns' soul yearned
for cooking berth that could be oc-
cupied the year round. Work in the
railway camps had always left him
nigh and dry at the freeze-up-dry,
particularly, and few nights in Cal
gary or Edmonton saw the end OF his
seasons earnings. Then came u pre-
carious existence for Tompkins until
the scrapers were back on the dump
the following spring. A steady job,
cooking on ranch like the Y.D.; IL
Tompkins had written the Apocalypse
that would have been his picture of
heaven. So he had left nothing un-
done, even to despatching a courier
over night to a railway station thirty
miles away for fresh fruit and other
deiicacies. Another of the gang had
been impressed into trip up the river
10 squatter who was suspected of
sundry hens.
This way, ma'am." TompkIns was
waving as Zen emerged from the grove.
Another of our usual mornings. Hope
you slep' well, ma'am." He stood def
erentlally aside while she ascended the
three steps that led into the covered
wagon.
Zen gave little Shrek of delight,
and Tompkins felt that all. his efforts
had been well repaid. One end of the
tablet was with sore heart Tomp-
klns had realized that he could not
cut down the big table-one end of
the table was set with a clean linen
cloth ana granite dlshware secured un-
til 1t shone. Besides Zen's plate were
grapefruit and sliced oranges and
real cream.
However did you manage lt?" she
gasped.
"Nothing's too good for Y.D.'s daugh.
ter" was the only explanation Tomp-
kins would offer. but. us Zen after
wards said, the smile on his face was
as good as another breakfast. After
the fruit came porridge. and more
cream; then fresh boiled eggs with
toast: then fresh ripe Strawberries
with more cream.
"Mr.-Mr.-"
'Tompklns. ma'am; Cyrus Tomp-
kins." he supplied.
well, Mr.. Tompklns. you're a won
der. and when there's a new cook to
be engaged for the YD. 1 shall think
Of you."
Indeed I wish you would, ma'am,"
he said. earnestly. This road works
all right, and nobody ever cooked for
better boss than Mr.. Transley-sav-
In it would be your father, ma'am-
but I'm man of family, an its pref
ty hard"
Family. did you say. Mr. Tompkins7
How many Of family have your"
well. It's seven years since 1 heard
from them-I haven't Sorresponded
very reg'lar of late. but they was
six"
The story of Tompkins' family was
cut short by the arrival of a team and
moving machine.
whats up, Fred?" called Tomp-
kins through window of his dining
car to the driver. breakfast is Just
over. an dinner amt begun"
For answer the man addressed as
Fred slowly produced an iron stake
about eighteen inches long and some-
what less than an inch in diameter.
What kind of shrubbery do you
cnll that. Tompkins?" he demanded.
well. It amt buffalo grass. an It
amt bronze grass. an l don't fieger
It's alfalfa" said Tompkins, medlta-
lively.
mo. and it ain't grub stake" Fred
replied, with some sarcasm. "It's
Iron stake, growin' right in a nice
-''s'> >Auh'p VI 6AdSS, anu L 10
1t and bust my cuttin.bar all to
that is. all to pieces" he completed
rather lamely. taking Zen into his
glance.
II think follow you." she said, with
smile. Can you fi1 1t here?"
Nope. Have to go to town for a
new one. Two days lost time, when
every hour counts. Hello! Here
comes someone else"
Another of the teamsters was draw
Ing into camp. "Hello., Fred 7" he
said. upon coming up with his fellow
workman, 'you in too7 1 had Il bit of
bad luck. l run smash on to an iron
stake right there in the ground and
crumpled my knife like so much SOAP"
Il did worse" said Fred. with a
grin. 81 bust my cuttin-bar."