Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1934-09-06

abi} ohuot up star Tdncn. 80 you uA
1t for me, will you. Barnes?"
"Shore. Ill fix It," replied Barnes
with a sly glance at Jim. "You give
me a chanst when the stage rolls up
She's due now. I'll run down an
drive the blackboard up"
But the stage did not show up for
an hour-a long, nervous dragging one
for Jim Wall. Grand Junction was
no different from other western points
remote from clvlllzation-everybody
turned out to see the stage come In.
1t was a gala occasion for the young
sters, of whom there was a surprising
number. The women onlookers, Jim
observed, rather hung In the back
ground.
The four-horse stage came rolling
up In a cloud of dust. The driver. 8
grizzled old frontiersman, brought 1t
to a stop with a fine flourish, and
bawled out: Grand Junction! Half
hour fer lunch"
There were six passengers, two of
them feminine. The last to leave the
stage was a tall, yelled young woman.
her 1.-the and erect figure encased In
a long linen coat. She carried a small
satchel. Expectantly she looked
around. Jim stepped before her, bar
ing his head.
Are you Miss Herrick? 2"
"Oh Yes" she exclaimed IN relief.
Your brother sent us to meet you,n
went on Jim, indicating Barnes. who
stood to one side.
He did not GOMEZ" The full, rich
voice, with its foreign intonation,
struck pleasantly upon Jim's ear.
No. There's much work at Star
ranch. But It's perfectly all right,
Miss Herrick. We will drive you safe
ly over before dark
Jim could not see clearly through
the tan veil, but he discerned well
enough that big eyes studied him.
Didn't he send a letter or anything7
How am | to know you men are EN-
ployed by my brother?'
I'm afraid you'll have to take my
word" replied Jim, gravely. But.
Barnes. here, can prove his Identity.
He lives In Grand Junction, and of
course there are responsible people
who will vouch for him"
Miss, the boss did send word
spoke UP Barnes, touching his hat.
and stepping closer he added In lower
tone. He told me last night you was
to fetch what come by Wells-Fargo.'
Then 1t is all right she replied.
heartily relieved. MY luggage is In
side, on top and tied on behind. The
name Is on every piece. Helen Her
rick"
I'll attend to the baggage, Miss Her
rick rejoined Jim. meanwhile
Barnes will show you where to eat. 1t
might rest you to walk a little. We
an eight-hour drive
THANK you. I've been riding stead
lily for two weeks and I'm Stiff
Whereupon Jim set about collecting
the pieces OF baggage marked Her
1t appeared that the stage had
been loaded down with them. Nine
teen In all! Manlfestly Miss Herrick
had come to stay. To find room for all
OF them In the blackboard was going
be a task. He set about this method
really, his mind at once busy and alb
sent. By packing carefully under the
seats and IN them, too, Jim got the
bags all In. He went to the store and
bought rope to tie some OF them on
securely. wonder what she looks
Ike he thought. He had felt vague
uncomfortable when she looked him
through that veil. His task com
oleted, Jim stood beside the restless !
horses, waiting. And 1t seemed he was
waiting for he knew not what.
Presently Barnes returned, wearing
excited grin. His eyes were I'm
,ortant.
Jim, | fixed 1t. / shore gave her
In earful." he said.
ibid you? Much obliged, cowboy"
"She took off tibet coat an veil.
Utah never seen the likes of
Ter. Red lips, pink cheeks, hair like
sold, an eyes like violetsl Jim, for
minnit / went plumb back on my
But shucks, thet's crazy. She
Isked me to set at table. I did. She's
ust as nice an free as Herrlck. Tt
while we was eatin' tibet I had the
hanst to tell her about the notorious
I'm Wall. Mebbe / didn't spread 1t on.
IN she looked-gee, such eyest She
aid, so Bernie Herrick sent a des-
'erado to be my escort? How perfect
= rippin'r-Honest, Jim, thet's what
he said. So ! shet up pronto. .
When | jest come away she said she'd
7alk q little In the orchard an after
DIN into the Wells-Fargo office she'd
e ready"
Have you double-crossed mef'
ueried Jim, suspicious of this boy.
You were to make me out low-down."
Jim, honest to Gawd, If tibet CURL
int scared to death Of you she's a
eW one on me-" declared Barnes. But
here was fun and evasion In his keen,
azel eyes. Somehow he had failed
, follow instructions.
It'll 60 In the Chink's here and get
bite to eat. You watch the horses