Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1934-12-01

for the first time and David met hei
cool Rlance. She was lovely but AZ.
rogant looking --and painted. he tolC
himself. ike an Indian on the warpath
@Are you modest" she asked laxily
Il never met q modest western man be-
fore. It's quite an experience
I'm very modest. but don't know
much. And beginners.r David grinned
always ask more questions than ary
old-timer can answer"
"Bil can" The girl nodded toward
her brother. i've heard him at t. just
ranching would wreck your yuletide
AIr. Worse. 50 don't start anything. WIZ
you sit DOWN."
There was no extra chair ia sight
and he was sure she knew It. She
was being deliberately rude. yet her
glance was provocative. Ready to string
him up and then let him down. David
decided. All right, II she wanted Il that
way. His young jaw set
Il reckon not Just now, ma'am. I'm
goin' 70 a show" ne said rather stiffly.
which one?"
The Scarlet RambIers' or somethin'
like that"
They say it's pretty good. Why hav-
emit we seen It, Billy?"
TOO busy"
Billy's manner was more friendly. He
rather admired that build Of this six
foot young ranchman before him and
he was impressed by his sisters ap-
parent acceptance Of the stranger. Billy
was not the sort who read between the
lines Of human relationship.
"Glad 10 take you both, II you want
70 CO. David said formally.
He didn't care a hang whether they
went or not He wasn't sure he should
have offered the invitation. But he had
got the distinct impression that the
girl was limiting for one was leading
him on. and he was determined toI
show her that he was not in awe Of her.
She gave him long, odd look.
you don't look Ike the cowboy Of
western fiction she said. scanning him
up and down as II he were q prize ex-
hibit, except your figure Where are
your chaps and spurs and pistols and
lariats9"
4 don't often tote EN- all into the
diningroom when I'm visitin'." David
assured her soberly.
"Are you visiting now"
Yes, ma'am. Jes' come 10 town for
a little while I'll show you my outfit
when you come to my ranch" he grin
ned. 'Ill be off, now. Show starts IN |
20 minutes"
Can we get there in that time97
Sure. I've got my car"
"All right let's go. But give us two
minutes TO get ready"
Five. III have my car at the door"
In five minutes he was waiting ct
the hotel entrance.
The five minutes stretched TO 10, then /
to is. Was the girl making a fool OF
him7 Probably she had no idea Of go
Ing 70 the show. Just giving him rise !
He returned to the cardroom and in
vestigated. He went back TO his car
and waited five minutes more.
The girl was stringin' me" he re-
Elected Just like her cheekl" With a
twisted grin he started the car.
He was driving away when a sharp
hail recalled him. Young Bryant and
his sister were signalling from the curb.
you don't mean you were going off
without us2" the girl spoke with genu-
Inc surprise.
Il hung on more than 20 minutes. I
then thought you were givin' me the
Davids tone was gay. He was glad
low that the pair was going. He ush-
cred them into the back seat Of his
Dig sedan and took the wheel. He was
10 longer lonely. He had companion
hip. That was all to the good. The
act that he didn't much like either
he boy or the girl didn't matter.
The show was excellent. The Bryants
st him pay for their tickets-he hadn't
zen sure they would do that--but i'm
nediately returned his hospitality by
aking him to a cabraret for supper
nd dancing. It was a gay place with
be Christmas spirit oozing from &C.
David wasn't sure the girl would Ike
is dancing, but she seemed to. They
anced lot and did not get back TO
he hotel tin two In the morning. The
oy had warmed up as the evening
even confided 10 David
is interest In the purchase Of q ranch
nd asked innumerable questions, some
them pretty foolish. But David ra-
ler liked the lad. The girl he increas-
Ugly disapproved Of. She took entirely
70 much for granted Spoiled. That
as really what was the matter with
er. She made It clear that she was
'udying David as new type. and sew
ri times be was sure that she was
taking fun Of him. All right, he had
'mething up his sleeve, too. She wore
gorgeous evening gown and lot more
Amt. That. Of course, explained the
minutes delay at the entrance. Da-
ID classified her without difficulty.
ard-boiled she was. No doubt about
lat. As hard as they make them -
'ady to amuse herself with the west
n cowboy and then tire Of him and
eat him like the dirt under her feet