The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-04-07
CHAPTER w

The assistant general manager OF
the Rancho Vale Verde walked, with
jingling of spurs, into the cool, vine
enclosed veranda where Don Jaime
lay at ease in his chaise Tongue, while
nurse, almost old enough to be his
mother, sat in an adjacent chair knit
ting.
"Well, how's our boss, Mrs. GanbyT
Ken Hobart Queried.
"His wounds have all healed by first
intention" the nurse answered. 81
should say he'll be up and around
again in a month. Probably lame for
month or two thereafter. At any
rate he loses me next week"
"Why don't you remain here, do
Don Jaime in the eye for another
months salary and take nice. quiet
vacation?" Hobart suggested.
"rd like to, but 1t would be taking
money under false pretenses. l like
this ranch. It's so peaceful here"
Mrs. Candy said. "Every night / hear
a coyote chorus from those buttes
yonder. It's thrilling. dare say.
Don Jaime, you find it rather dull here
such young man as yourself"
II do not" Don Jaime replied, al
most CURLY. ''It is the home of my
ancestors and l love It."
"Don Jaime resembles the Chinese.
He worships his ancestors" Ken Ho-
bart informed her. "But he's never
lonely here. Too much to do"
"Why doesn't he get married? Ger
tainly he can afford wife, Mr.. Ho-
BART" the good lady queried.
IT only look after his cows and his
lands, Mrs. Candy" After the fashion
of the men of wide horizons Ken Ho-
bart was averse to discussing person
alities I've brought the mail, Don
jaime" he added.
THANK you, Ken"
Don't try to sort It," Hobart urged.
1.-THE letter you're looking for lies on
top. I've slit all the envelopes for
you"
Don Jaime read his mail. Pres
emily he looked up and there was a
CLINT of deviltry in his black eyes.
"Don Prudencio Alviso writes me
that he has been engaged by Miss
Antrim as attorney for the estate !;
that Miss Antrim has given the Fed
eral Trust company a check In pay
ment of the notes it held against the
estate and that the bank has resigned
as coexecutor. Old Prudy tells me
that with his appointment he received
a retainer of thousand dollars and
instructions to secure good man to
count those sheep. Such generosity
overwhelms him. AS sheep-counter
he suggests you, old leather-face, and
I second the nomination. An honest
count of those sheep Is most desirable
Ken"
81 could wish the job on some other
honest man, Don jaime"
"Pahl We compliment you. man."
"fll have to have help"
"You villa court order"
Don Jaime lifted some very expen-
sive stationery to his aristocratic nose
and smelled it hungrily. "Attar OF
roses" he murmured. II dare say
that's as close as I'll ever get to Miss
Roberta Antrim. The lady says she's
going to leave everything In her law
yer's hands, with instructions to con-
suit with me, and whatever we two
decide to do will meet with her ap-
prevail She says she breads coming
down here in summer and she has ac-
cepted so many engagements of a
social nature, that she just cannot
contemplate abandoning her plans"
"Who is Roberta Antrim" the nurse
inquired.
1.-The niece and sole heir of the man
Antrim / killed after he'd busted me.
Mrs. Candy. She doesn't know I'm
the bright boy that bumped old Tom
off. wrote her a chap named Jim
Higgins had done It."
Ken Hobart chuckled.
ITO BE CONTINUED,