Nogales international., 1933-12-30

NUN HuSDdiQ caught III CillllIlB ram
contracts pneumonia and passes away before
q doctor arrives. Ruth tries to carry on.
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
Old Charley was explaining his
purchases: you see, l hunted all over
town but l didn't have no luck with
habits like you wanted. I could have
got one outfit but it didn't look like
it would last long SO got you these"
Ruth opened the package and found
three pairs Of overalls with short
jackets to match There was bright
copper rivet at the beginning OF each
seam. She rolled them up hastily.
Most everybody in this country
wears then1," said the old man. "They
amt fancy but they're good riding
clothes"
: Old Charley took another package
from the car with some embarrass-
1nent. 81 had some money left. Mrs.
Warren, and I figured I'd add some
thing to your outfit" He paused So
berry. Il think you ought to have this
never can tell when you'll meet up
with son1e-some varmint or other
coyotes, snakes, and such"
Old Charley had unwrapped two
heavy little boxes and now took from
the side nocket Of the car a large re-
golver. This guns cne OF nine-she's S
dandy-I'd like you to have it, Mrs.
Warren" There was quiet sim
ccrity in the old mans voice which
seemed to tell the girl very clearly
;:.at she should have the weapon.
"Why-thank you-I-heavens ! I'm
SCARED to death OF it!'
Here, take it,
Ruth took the gun gingerly.
q brought along an extra box Of
...ells," said Old Charley, "and we're
.,cing to have some target practice
tight now-when you once learn how
to handle gun, and won't be scared
of it-you'll find it a heap Of conf
fort"
And Ruth did find comfort and a
satisfying thrill, when after the four
teenth consecutive shot she sent a
forty-hye bullet through the lid OF
Dayid's hat box at distance OF
twenty ieet. At about the thirtieth
shot she found that she could keep her
eyes open, and became really inter
ested. Already, the heavy black gun
seemed not terrifying monster bat a
powerful friend Ruth's spirits rose.
well, practice is what does it, re-
marked Old Charley; then quickly,
'but | wouldn't practice much around
the home ranch if | was you, Mrs.
Warren" He paused and added Sig
nihcantly, Il don't know as Jep
Snavely would like it-you might hit
a horse or something"
Then for an hour Ruth discussed
ranching with Old Charley. She soon
found that the son, too, was much in
terested in the subject. Ruth sus-
pected that VIII Thane had gone TO
the city to be educated and to make
some money, and that having done
both his thoughts were turning toward
the country and the work he had
known in boyhocd. Several times he
saw his eyes fixed on the mountains
or gazing into the valley i'll the man
ner of one looking upon good things.
And during all of his talk-from
the first two minutes after old Char
ley's arrival, Ruth Warren knew that
her father was not even going to an
swer her letter. He must have received
it, or it would have been returned,
Almost she wished that she had not
been suspicious of Snavely that MORN
ing five weeks ago. If she had not
taken that second letter to the box
herself, while Snavely was off some
where destroying the first, she could
now blame the lack OF all answer on
TO him and without losing caste with
herself write another. But she would
write more letters. Her people
were not interested il her; very we'll,
she could take care of herself. Her
pride told her that this was best-she
would not have cared to have Old
Charley, for example, know that she
had cried for help.
When Old Charley and his son had
gone, the girl boosted David onto
Sanchez and led her own horse to
the gate. She paused, as her hand
touched the fastening bar, and looked
for time at the crudely lettered sign.
She had just put on light coat with
deep pockets-the right-hand pocket
sagged heavily with the weight of its
contents. She thrilled with the COM
fort of this weight and pressed it
against her side. 1t added greatly to
her growing sense of power; she knew
many worthwhile things about ranch
ing, and she could shoot revolver.
Suddenly she dropped Brisket's reins,
picked up a stone and hammered the
sign off the gate.
Gust what kind of a situation is
that, Dad?" Will was asking, as an
Gent Lena bore them over the hill to