The Dolores star., 1924-06-06
CHAPTER ~

thVbbhl IL poSSlDIeE
CHAPTER ~
When Zen awoke next morning the
moving machines of Transley's outfit
were already singing their symphony
In the meadows; she could hear the
metallic rhythm as it came borne on
the early breeze. She lay awake on
her camp cot for few minutes,
stretching her fingers to the canvas
ceiling and feeling that 1t was good to
be alive. And II was. The ripple
of water came from almost underneath
the walls Of her tent; the smell of
spruce trees and balm-o' -Gilead and
new-mown hay was in the air. She
could feel the warmth of the sunshine
already pouring upon her white roof;
she could trace the gentle sway of
the trees by the leafy patterns gliding
forward and back. A cheeky gopher.
exploring about the door of her tent,
ventured In. and, sitting bolt upright.
sent his shrill whistle boldly forth.
She watched his fine bravery for
minute. then clapped her hands to-
gether, and laughed as he fled.
Therein we have the figures of both
Transley and Linder," she mused to
herself. Upright, Transley; horizon
tai, Linder. doubt If the poor fel-
low slept last night after the fright
I gave him."
Slowly and clamiy she turned the
incident over in her mind. She won
dered little If she had been quite
fair with Linder. Her words and con-
duct were capable of very broad in
terpretatlons. She was not at all in
love with Linder; Of that Zen was sure.
She was equally sure that she was not
at all In love with Transley. She ad-
mitted that she admired Transley for
his calm assumptions. but they nettled
her little nevertheless. II this should
develop into love affair-lf 1t should
she had no intention that It was to
be pleasant afternoons canter. IT
was to be a race-a race, mind you
and may the best man win! She
had feeling, amounting almost to a
conviction. that Transley underrated
his foreman's possibilities In such a
contest. She had seen many dark
horse. less promising than Linder, gal
lop home with the stakes.
Then Zen smiled her own quiet, self
confident smile. The idea of either
Transley or Linder thinking he could
gallop home with herl For the mo-
ment she forgot to do Linder the JUS
tice Of remembering that nothing was
further from his thoughts. She would
show them. She would make race Of
it-almost to the wire. In the home
stretch she would make the leap, out
and over the fence. She was in 1t for
the race. not for the finish.
Zen contemplated for some minutes
the possibilities of that race; then, as
the imagination threatened to become
involved, she sprang from her cot and
thrust cautious head through the
door Of her tent. The gang had long
since gone to the fields, and friendly
bushes sheltered her from view from
the cook car. She drew on her boots,
shook out her hair. threw towel
across her shoulders. and, soap in
hand. walked boldly the few steps to
the stream ripping over Its shiny
gravel bed. She stopped and tested
the water with her fingers; then
brought It in fresh, cool handfuls about
her face and neck.
"Mornin', Zen!" said familiar
voice. "Scuse me for happenin' to
be here. I was JUS waterln' that Pete
horse after a hard ride"
Now look here. Mr.. Drazk!" said
the girl. whipping her scanty clothing
about her. 'if I had a gun! won't
have you spying about!'
Jaw, don be cross" Drazk protest
ed. He was sitting on his horse in
the ford dozen yards away. 81 JUS
happened along. guess the outside
belongs to all of us. Say. Zen. II I
was to get properly interduced. what's
the chancesT"
mot one in a million, and If that
isn't odds enough I'll double It,"
you're not goin' to hitch up with
Linder. are you?"
'Linder? Who said anything about
Linder7"
Gee, but amt she innercent p
Drazk stepped his horse up few
feet to facilitate conversation. II alus
take an interest in innercent gals
away from home. SO I'kinda KEEP my
angel eye on you las night. An
see Llnder stalkin' aroun' here nm
sighin' out over the water when he
should ave been In bed. But, of
course, he's been interduced."
George Drazk, II you speak to me
again I'll horsewhip you out of the
camp at noon before all the men. Now,
beat It'll"