The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-11-21

sons breast. With big kitchen poker
behind her broad back, she FASTENED
out to call Jose, Judith. at the tele-
phone, called Doc Trip.
Come up Immediately" she com
manded. prepared to make test fol
hog cholera germs. Doc. No, / am not
sure of anything. but / think l begin
to see where it came from and how
Hurry, will your"
To Jose she said abruptly:
go down to the mems quarters
Jose. Tell Carson and Lee to come
right up" And as Jose turned to go
she added carelessly: "Seen any OF
the men YETI"
Isl, senorita," answered Jose. ''Poky
Face is up"
Poker Face? All right. Jose. The
others will be about, then"
Jose took little more time for his
errand than for his elaborate bow
Carson and Lee came promptly. Car
son score of steps in advance, fol
Lee had tarried just long enough tc
wash his face and brush his hair;
Carson had not.
Tell me-" demanded Judith, looking
at her cattleman with intent eager
ness, what do you know about Poker
Face?"
"One of the best men I've GOT an.
swered Carson heartily.
square, you think?"
Eyes. If didn't think so he'd have
been on his way a long time ago."
How long has he been here? Who
took him on?"
"Trevors hired him. About the same
time he hired me-"
Bud Lee, entering then, wondered
what new thing was afoot He glanced
down and saw bare foot peeping out
from the hem of Judith's heavy red
robe; he saw the hair tumbled In a
glorious brown confusion over her
shoulders. She was amazingly pretty
this way.
Il want you two men to just stick
around until / send for you again,
said Judith, her eyes upon Carson
alone, little pink, naked foot sudden
ly withdrawn and tucked somewhere
under her in her chair. "And keep
your eyes on Poker Face Keep him
here, too, Carson. BY the way, did
any Of you boys come in late last
night? Or early his morning?"
"Why, no." answered Carson slowly.
AN yes. None of the reg'lar boys,
but man from down the river, look
ing for job. Heard we was short
handed. Blew in early. Just got in a
few moments ago, Poker Face said"
Quick new interest flew into Ju-
diths eyes.
Keep him here, too!' she cried.
'And I'll give you something to do
while you wait: bring me all the
pigeons you can get your hands on
white ones. Shoot them if you nave
to. And be careful you don't rub the
dust off their feet"
Carson's eyes went swiftly to Bud
Lees. In Carson's mind there was a
quick suspicion: The strain of life on
the ranch was proving too much for
the girl, after all.
Judith, reading his thought, turned
up her nose at him and, seeking to
keep her feet hidden as she walked
by sagging little at the knees, went
to the door. Turning there, she saw
in Lees eyes the hint of smile, a very
approving. admiring smile.
'Impudent she cried within her
self. Looking very tiny, her knees
bent so that her robe might sweep the
floor, she continued with all possible
dignity to the hallway. Once there
she ran for her room, her gown fiutter-
ing wildly about her. In her room
though she dressed hurriedly, she still
took time for long and critical exam.
nation of two rows of little pink toes
Just the same" she said to the
flushed Judith in the mirror, 'they are
very nice feet-Bud Lee, I'd just like
to make you squirm one of these days
You're altogether too-too-oh, scat
Judy. What's the matter with you?
In less than half an hour Doc Trip
showing every sign of a hurried toilet
rode into the courtyard. He came
swiftly into the office. bag in hand
Judith, waiting impatiently for him
lost no words in telling him her suspi
cions And Doc Trip, hearing hel
out, swore softly and fiuently, briefly
asking her pardon when he had done
.sI'nl q iapEaSSo no said forvont1v
Il always knew was a fool, but
didn't know that was an idiot Why
Judy, those id pigeons have beer
sailing all over the ranch, billing and
cooling and picking up and totine
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