Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-03-22
The Boss on the
Scene
BY II. LOUIS RAYBoLD

IN ALL his fifteen years Of running
L dude ranch Jim Stanley had never
concerned himself over any of his
guests beyond their actual welfare
and entertainment until Daphne Ere
mont started In making miserable the
life of Jim's nephew, Brent Burgess.
Brent was an Intermittent cow
puncher who turned to in the summer
time and helped his uncle pack outfits
for the dude camping trips. A nice
looking boy, but tremendously bash
full. "Woman shy" his uncle called
him, and was glad Of 1t. Nothing was
worse in his opinion than a cowboy
who fell heavily for casual summer
flirtations.
Daphne, so far from flirting with
Brent, seemed to have singled him
out not exactly for rldlcule, perhaps,
but for a certain persistent teasing.
And Jim had seen the lad flush rosily
at some sally of hers or clench his fist
while his eyes flashed.
Funny, too, for Daphne was n good
sort even II somewhat ovcr-indulged
by her father, who had been friend
Of Jim's for many years. Jim had
welcomed the advent of this particular
party, who proved to be very decent
crowd OF young people with an older
woman In the capacity OF that old
fashioned creature, the chaperon.
1t was to Mrs. Mortimer that he
finally spoke about Brent
"Miss Daphne rags him contin-
ually," he said "The boy actually
goes white when she appears. Have
you noticed it?'
Mrs. Mortimer nodded.
'If 1t had been that fellow the boys
call Redhead," ruminated Stanley, ~
could understand It. There Miss
Dahpne surely would have met her
match"
II would take Daphne to task"
said Mrs. Mortimer thoughtfully "but
opposition of any sort has always act
ed as spur rather than a check.
think that there must be something
behind 1t all that we don't know"
Now had 1t not been for nm cpl
sOde the next morning of which Jim
was an involuntary witness, he might
have decided to let the matter run Its
course. Every summer had an end. In
fact he had rather come to the con
cluslon overnight that he was a senti.
mental old fool making mountains out
OF mole hills.
Shortly after breakfast he saun.
topaI fntrorIc thn anppuI IN
see how the horses were bearing up
under tenderfoot riders Rounding
the corner OF the ice house, he came
suddenly upon Brent and Daphne en-.
gagged In what was evidently a heated
conversation.
Brent, standing stlffly, awkwardly,
with his hands behind him, was I'M
mistakably resentlng whatever Daphne
was saying.
"No Fastener would be so stupid !"
was all Jim actually overheard for, as
he appeared, both started and Brent
looking punished, turned away.
"Do you think, Miss Daphne" ques.
toned Jim, quite as II unaware that
he had interrupted little drama,
"that three-days' trip to Lupin
lake in the Pass sounds very inter
estlng?"
II sure do, Mr., Stanley" replied
Daphne, with similar effort to meet
his casualness. Everybody gOing?'
Three days with Redhead assigned
ms her guide. pondered Jim, would
make her see the light. Would bring
her to appreciate fellow Of Brent's
caliber The crimson haired Jake
Rogers was retained on the v Bar
ranch for other sterling qualities than
his abilities TO esquire ladies'. In
good mood, he did his clumsy best. In
bad one, he was as full Of mis-
chief as he could manage without
being fred.
Brent he turned over to Daphne's
cousin, mildly pretty girl, incurably
afraid of snakes. grades and thunder.
showers
Evening Of the second day OF the
expedition found the party camped
under the pines beside lovely Lake
Lupin semlcircle OF small peak
tents was pitched around central
camp fire Of mammoth logs Horses
and cook tent and quarters for the
men we're dImly dlstingulshnble In
the forest gloom at the rear
Jim, wandering down to the fringe
OF sand at the lakes edge l.. smoke
n cigar In the solitude he loved, was
surprised to hear voices.
HIVhv ala Won MI oua nan un you
really cared, Daphne"
"Because"-the voice was muffled
as II It came from the depths OF
some ones shoulder-"you acted as
II you loved me but would never be.
lleve loved you. II made me so rag.
Ing mad to have you sure was only
flirtlngl"
How could think otherwlse7 Not
until today, when that fool Jake was
careless enough to let you take that
precipice on the outside, did renlize
that ! simply must take chance on
your allowing me to look out for you
the rest Of my life"
Jim drew back as softly as a deer.
Daphne had made Brent suffer be.
cause she loved him. The way Of
maid with man Well, the lad was
every bit as well born as Daphne He
had had his four years at the uni
verslty. AS for money whatever his
uncle had would some day be his.
Just for the moment, however, up
here In the cool mountains, with
young moon setting aslant the black
lodge pole pines, the lap of water the
only sound save for an occasional
stirring Of the night wind. money or
birth or education seemed less i'm
pOrtant than love.