The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1925-07-17

Mary turned 10 the plano. and her
fingers strokcd the keys lightly.
bringing forth sad, wistful notes.
"Ira a song my father loves" she
said. My mother used 10 sing "
TO him here-yearH ago"
TITS lovely" said Stella with n
sentimental air. 1T stirs sweet
memories in me-"
Mary stopped. Then from beneath
tho window OF the room stole the
notes OF n guitar. gently strummed.
and n voice lifted in the words OF n
Spanish serenade.
what romantic night" said
stella. listening and going 10 the
window with Mary. The sun was
setting. They saw the serenader-
IL was MIGUEL.
Suddenly Bud Hughes came up.
made wry face. and monacinE
Miguel with his feet. chased him
from tho window.
Yes, but see how reality boots ro-
nance out OF life," said Mary
laughingiy,
But there was n time when Bud,
too. was romantic" said Stella
How well remember"
she was interrupted by tho en-
trance OF Bud himself. lie was
respondent in natty new clothes. his
boots shining. his hair plas,ered
down, and his beard shaved off COM
ploteiy. Ho smiled and wlnked TO
Stella 20 call attention 10 the trans
formation.
The steers are all in tho corral
Miss Mary--ready for tomorrow's
drive" Bud reported.
you look like old times. Bud"
cried Stella.
He looked at her wistfulIy. and
said.
wish I felt like old times
Mary gave Bud his instructions.
Stella fingered near the open win.
dow. leaned out. and saw sneaking
up-Buck Mcleod. She furtively
took prepared note from her waist.
and casually dropped IL out the
window.
Buck. below. catching II, read. in
a hasty glance:
After nightfall when drop my
handkerchief the way will be clear"
Then, unobscrved, he sneaked
back the way he had come. and dis.
appeared.
stella's acted sentimental mood
continued that evening after sho and
Mary had finished dinner.
what a wonderful night It Is"
she exclaimed. coming to Mary.
1T reminds me OF so much--you
know, Mary. II was Just such
night as this that Bud--Mr. Hughes
and quit the circus. Tho moon
was
Mary. smiling. lifted a coquettishly
roproving finger. and said.
stella. Stclla---I think you're In
love with your memories, And-if
you want--you'll find Bud down nj
the ranch gate on watch-in tho
moonlight, too. We havo TO keep
watch on. because we've had so
much trouble with rustlers,"
Stella, affecting n coy cmbarrass-
ment, said:
81 think l will take little run
out and see hlm--I won't be long"
Mary picked up n book and settled
down TO read IA Stella went out the
door.
Stella found Bud at the gate. In
wistful meditation. Her coming sur
prlsod him,
"Oh, Bud, on n night like this /
couldn't resist tho temptation TO
come and chat over old times with
you." Stella told him.
She exercised all her most alluring
wiles. and soon had Buds heart GO
ing faster than II had In years, and
his tongue gently rolling over soft
words of sentiment.
Meanwhile Stella's eye was fur
lively watching something lurking In
the brush Just outside the gate,
While Bud. obllyious TO everything
but Stella, poured out his heart TO
her, aho let her handkerchief drop
TO tho ground.
There was a cracltlc OF breaking
twigs, several forms leaped out OF
tho darkness and rushed upon Bud,
taken completely off his guard.
Sornmlng, Stella fled, m ono of the
attackers started to tic Bud up with
n coil Of rope.
Now them" said Buck Mcleod TO
tho men. "wo'll lock the ranch hands
In tho bunkbouse and drive Off tho
hord-wc don't want any shootin'
II VIC can help It.
They rushed Off toward the COW.
boys quarters. ono lingcrc@n mo.
| nont, drew knife from HIS pocket
and slashcd the ropes that bound
Bud. II was Idaho Bill tho new