Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-05


for Los Algodones. A spirit Of
thrift animating her ut the last, she
attempted to discharge her maid, but
that faithful retainer, having been sub
stantially subsidized by Crooked Bill,
begged to be permitted to accompany
her without salary. It seemed she had
always yearned for trip to the Far
West. Besides, what would Miss Ro-
berta do without her? Crooked Bill
asked the same question and informed
her that he had recently discovered a
forgotten asset. in consequence Of
which he could afford the expense
you'll require Mignon for a chaperon,"
he declared. Eat. drink and be
merry" he advised his niece, "for next
week you'll be In the sheep business"
Roberta, who had never known what
It meant to fend for herself when trav-
cling, reluctantly permitted herself to
be persuaded.
Where shall I address you, Bobbyp"
Crooked Bill queried. "At the Mansion
House in Los AlgodonesP"
mo. dear Address me In care Of
Don Jaime Miguel Higuenes."
"What?" Crooked Bill started as II
bee stung. "You going to put up at
the Higuenes hacienda? Why-why,
the mans a bachelor"
How do you know"
I've been making inquiries about
him.
well, his housekeeper, q Mrs Candy.
has written me, inviting me to be his
and couldn't write me personally, but
he did write at the bottom Of Mrs.
Ganby's letter, 'Oflcial: J. M. H. MRS.
Candy says they have q lovely place
and that I'll be much more comfortable
at the Rancho Vale Verde than at any
hotel in that country. She says Don
Jaime instructed her to inform me that,
while the Mansion House has an excel
lent reputation for service, that repu-
tation is based entirely upon the fact
that they have a bootjack In every
room"
THAT Don Jaime must be O comical
devil" Crooked Bill murmured without
enthusiasm. He was again assailed by
the feeling that, in some tnexplicable
way, his wei laid plans were doomed
to go aft agley. You'll write me fire.
quently and tell me all about Il, won't
you, honey?"
Roberta promised and kissed him
good-by.
Five days later she and Misnon, with
three huge trunks and five pieces OF
lonely, sun-warped platform at the little
fat station Of Vale Verde, on the Hous-
ton & Texas Railway"
$50 this" said Roberta, looking
around her after the train had re-
sumed its journey, 1s Texasl Good
gracious, Mignon, what is that noise?"
1T sounds like roo at feeding time
said Mignon apprehensively and. looked
behind her.. "Oh, it's CATTLE" she
added, relieved.
A quarter Of a mile out On the
plain, in q compact mass, q huge herd
OF white-faced cattle were milling slow.
~ and believing continuously protests
against the inhibition Of their freedom
imposed on them by numerous horse
men, who rode around the frin@es Of
the herd and urged it slowly forward.
why, there must be thousands Of
theml" Roberta gasped, and was CRATE
ful that the station platform, which was
at least five feet of the ground, ap-
from attack.
From around the corner Of the Sta
ton man appeared, hat in hand. He
approached In an embarrassed manner.
miss Antrim" he queried.
Yes, indeed" said Roberta crate
fully, and waited for him to name him
self.
I'm Bill Dtnsle. your uncle TOMS
tellin' me you'd arrive today and in
structin' me to meet you ct the Hie-
uenes rancho tomorrow"
YES" Roberta murmured, wondering
II she ought to introduce Mignon to Mr..
Dingle, who was cycling the maid as a
fresh cow In 0 pasture eyes dog.
so thought I'd meet you here.
miss, and explain to you how come It
won't be possible for me to meet you
there" Mr.. Dingle went on, his embar-
yA2SnenG INCREASING
tits about 20 miles straight east from
here to your uncle Toms ranch, which Is
your ranch now, reckon, and fig
ured mybe it'd be better for all hands
II you put up there instead Of at the
Higuenes rancho. OF course, It amt as
grand as the Higuenes place, and mebbe
it's far from what you've been accus-