The Dolores star., 1924-05-16

|
She gave the impression Of one who
has herself. and the situation. in
hand.
Were always glad to have guests
at the Y.D." she was saying. ave
live so far from everywhere"
| Linder thought that strange peg
on which to hang their welcome. But
she was continuing:
And you have been so successful,
haven't you? You have made quite a
hit with Dad"
How about Dads daughter?"
asked Transley. Transley had a man.
ner Of direct and forceful action.
These were his first words to her.
Linder would not have dared be SO
precipitate.
Perhaps" thought Linder to him.
self. rs he turned the incident ever In
his mind. perhaps that is why Trans
ley Is boss, and I'm just foreman"
The young woman's behavior seemed
to support that conclusion. She did
not answer Transley's question, but
she gave no evidence of displeasure.
"You boys must be hungry" Y.D.
was saying. "PIle in"
The rancher and his wife sat at
the ends Of the table; Transley on the
side Mt Y.D.'s right; Linder ut Trans
ley's right. In the better light Linder
noted Y.D.s face. 1t was the face of
a man OF fifty, possibly sixty. Life
In the open plays strange tricks with
the appearance. Some men 1t ages
before their time; others seem to tap
a spring of perpetual youth. Save for
the gray mustache and the puckerIngs
about the eyes Y.D.s was still a
young mans face. Then, as the ranch
er turned his head. Linder noted a
long scar. as of burn. almost grown
over in the right cheek. Across
the table from them sat the girl, i'm
partially dividing her position between
the two.
chinese boy served soup, and the
rancher set the example by "piling
in" without formality. Then followed
a huge Joint of beef, from which Y.D.
cut generous slices with swift and
dexterous strokes of n great knife,
and the Chinese boy added the vege-
tables from n side table. As the meat
disappeared the call Of appetite be-
came less Insistent.
She's been great summer, amt
she?" said the rancher, laying down
his knife and fork and lifting the
carver. 'Transley, some more meat :?
Pshaw, you amt ct enough for a
chicken. Linder? That's right, pass
up your plate. Powerful dry, though.
That's only small bit; here's bet
ter slice here. Dry summers gen'ral-
ly mean open winters, but you can't
never tell. Zen. how bout your Old
Y.D.'s been too long on the Job to
take chances. Mother? How much
did you say. Transley? About two
thousand tons? Not enough. Don't
care If 1 do"-Helping himself to an
other piece of beef.
II think you'll find two thousand
tons. good hay and good measure
ment," said Transley.
I'm sure of it." rejoined his host,
generously. 'I'm carryin' more steers
than usual, and'll maybe run In
bunch Of doggies from Manitoba to
boot. I got to have more hay"
The Chinese boy Served a pudding
of some sort, and presently the meal
was ended.
shes been dry summer-power-
| full dry" said the rancher, with wink
at his guests. "Zen, think there's a
bit Of gopher poison In there yet, amt
there?"
The girl left the room without re-
mark, returning shortly with jug
and glasses, which she placed before
her father.
II suppose you wear a mans size,
Transley," he said, pouring out a big
drink Of brown liquor. despite Trans
ley's deprecating hand. "Linder, how
many fingers? Two7 Well, Well
throw In the thumb. Y.D.? II you
please. just little snifter. All set?"
The rancher rose to his feet, and
the company followed his example.
Here's holland more hay" he
saic. genially.
"Ho!" said Linder.
1.-THE daughter of the Y.D.w said
Transley looking across the table Mt
the girl. She met his eyes full; then,
with CLEAN Of white teeth, she raised
an empty glass and clInked 1t against
his.