Nogales international., 1935-01-19

The water in her pitcher was
fresh from the creek and cold.
Anne splashed in it vigorously, one
foot still tapping at odd moments
in time to an intermittently hunmed
tune, but a disappearing pucker had
come between her delicately marked
brows. Now why did she have to
do that silly trick? Hadn't she any
sense at all? Why do anything
which might start anybody, even
Martha, wondering where she had
come from and what she had been
before she had stepped off the two
thirty-eight at Marston? She must
be more careful.
Dressing was a swift matter IN
these days. Insinuating odors OF
bacon and coffee were creeping IN,
but she went out of doors first.
Over by the horse corral she
heard sudden series of thumpss,
like dancing hoofs on hard ground.
Rounding the corner of the house
she caught sight of Barry Duane.
The dancing sounds came from the
prettiest pinto Anne had ever seen,
penned in the corral and making
playful rushes at the gate. On the
ground beside Duane was saddle.
Barry Duane, what are you do
ing
"Oh, hello!" He turned with a
guilty grin. DO you mind having
visitors at this hour? l thought d
bring pinto down and ask you
to exercise him occasionally. His
names Comet. It's great riding
country around here. / know some
pretty good trails"
Her eyes shone. She tried to
frown, and made bad job of it.
But you mustn't do such things
It's awfully good of you to want
to, but I really can't"
Cant ride? I'll teach you il
a morning"
Don't be so innocent You know
what l mean. You've taken hours
of your time and Petry's, and ham
mered and dug and sawed, and
made special trips to Marston on
errands that I ought to have looked
after myself, and even brought
things down from your own ranch,
but when it comes to taking your
saddle horses"
Don't you like him?"
"Of course like him. He's
darling"
Then he's yours. And don't think
that you are getting anything very
great, because l have hundred
more running loose. Comet, come
and make friends with your new
boss"
The pinto arched his neck and
looked wariiy at the strange hand.
Anne reached over and ran her hand
down a satiny neck.
ooh, you beautiful thingP' she
said softly. How could anybody
part with your"
Barry Duane looked down at her
with his nice smile.
at doesn't have to be a complete
separation. I've been limiting that
I expect to come along when you
ride him, but l haven't had even
nibble yet"
You've got one now I'm wild
to try him."
This morning?"
"Love to. Right after breakfast.
Have you had yours or will you
have some with us?"
Both, thank you. like Martha's
coffee and I've been up since before
FIVE. Comet, we stay"
Half an hour later he was. out
again saddling the pinto for her and
Anne was making quick change
into riding clothes.
Barry was waiting with the
horses.
"All outftted for the trail, aren't
we? suppose that means that
you have ridden before?"
"Some E. Not much" she added
honestly, "but I'm crazy about it. ;"
The pinto danced delicately, inn
patient to be off, but she held him
in while Barry swung himself into
his saddle. He nodded approvingly.
That's just right. Keep steady
hand on him and he will soon know
which one of you is boss. You'll
find that he has plenty of ginger,
but he's we'll behaved"
For the first half mile they
scarcely spoke. Anne let Comet out
Il little. Pounding hoofs sounded
back of her, and the long-striding
Co0+oin coon came abreast She
gave Barry a radiant look, and his
heart suddenly skipped beat or
two and went rocketing up into
his ears.
After time they came to high
fiat that was like parkiand.
Like to stop?" he suggested
his is one of the places l wanted
to show you