Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1938-06-28
/ A. :
CHAPTER II


proven, can dance steadily right on
through an afternoon and night
and still be going strong next
morning. Bill Baron couldn't say
Just how many of Ellen's guests
had done that, but shortly after
dawn on Saturday he noted that
the fiesta was still under way. He
himself had slept for five hours.
"People kept coming all night,
Doc" one of the cowboys Informed
him. Much viva la musica. amt
it?"
"You said it," Bill yawned.
fought to be sure 'nough fun to-
night"
Many others were sleeping, how
ever, and breakfasts were being
eaten at all hours, even to past
noon. Men who were up during
the morning engaged in impromptu
rodeo stunts, mostly bucking horse
riding. Ellen came out and spent
an hour with them-to the mems
delight. When she stayed on a
buclEer herself for the allotted 10
seconds, the men waved their hats
and cheered so loudly that every
body came out Of the house to see
what caused the excitement.
Three or four fellows had be-
come obnoxiously intoxicated and
Bill escorted them off the premises.
"A couple Of lads took to fists over
a girl. and the others present made
them scrap it out in a makeshift
boxing ring. That totaled all the
trouble for the first "a hours.
Ellen sought out Bill at about
four that afternoon.
I'm worried about food" she
admitted. "Do you suppose there'n
be enough for everybody? For to-
night and maybe breakfast too?"
. Bill pushed back his huge cow
boy hat, and surveyed the various
groups Of carefree people.
, II think So" he drawled. ''But
I'll check up and be sure, Ellen"
; He went then to the main store
house Of the rancho, a fiat adobe
structure which had been built SO
yards or SO back of Ellen's home.
1T was q catch-all, to house all
manner OF things such as an extra
barrel OF -four, barrel Of sugar,
cans of coffee, slabs Of cured bacon
and hams, rolls OF oarbed wire for
fencing, tools, all the assorted and
valuable things needed in running
a ranch except the saddles and har-
mess which were kept near the cor
rails. Bill noted an abundance of
Kitchen supplies; then while prob
ing around he made another dis
covery.
'Be doggoned!" he murmured, to
himself, curious.
More than 20 rifles had been
placed on the floor back in dark
corner behind some stacks Of
boxes, and covered with empty
bags.
He examined the guns. All were
LOADED. He concluded that some of
the guests had put them there for
safe keeping, not wishing to appear
Iat q party with such arms. but ex-
lpecting to go ON a hunting trip
later. He recovered them and dis
missed the matter from his mind.
This storage room was long
one. and In the other end Bill had
put some sacks Of especially pre-
pared calf feed used In his feeding
tests. The sacks were stacked
ceiling high. Because a window
behind them afforded light, and be-
cause a little nook Of privacy was
made there by the sacks, he sat
down to rest and think a bit. He
wanted this moment, alone, to
check over all fiesta details in his
Md, and on his pocket notebook.
Privacy was impossible outside.
He had sat there 10 minutes
when his thoughts drifted to per-
soral things. Sid Bromberg
wanted him to go to Hollywood.
The money offer had been a big
one. Even If he didn't make good,
the one six months contract would
set him up in life, he knew. But
he'd feel like fool in Hollywood,
money or no; his life was on the
open range. He had been born and
reared there, and except for col
lege in Houston. Tex. he had
stayed there.
A man had best stick with what
ne knows. And loves. But Bill
wanted money. He needed it SO he