The Wilmington morning star., 1940-05-19

| Says he is, Honey. Wants a
job and we're short two hands,"
The Colonel smiled indulgently at
his only child. Gowns his own
car-and it's paid for. Come up
from Ell Paso."
THAT car had New York tags
on it this morning." Monnie coun-
tered.
You met this fellow already
the Colonel demanded. Guess I
will fire him, if he's come chasing
out here after you"
MET him" Monnie's anger
fared- MET him?-He a m o S t
wrecked me this morning. Drove
through a stop sign, right in front
of me Almost crashed a filing
station trying to keep from killing
him Met him? I'd like to get my
hands on him"
"You didn't wreck anything, did
your"
Luckily, no, Dad. Can't afford
to have any accidents. After that
wreck on Dead Mans curve-if l
had a smash-up now, people might
get to wondering But Dad, you're
not going to keep that fellow
around, r your"
Have to, for a while, Honey. l
already told him he was hired. We
need him. But if he's no good, I'll
run him off. Go along, now.
Change your clothes and We'll
drive out to the upper camp"
So he followed me out here,
Monnie thought to herself, as she
pulled on her boots. "In fix that
guy I'll fix him."
Monnie was sitting on the top
rail Of the corral fence when Pete
Barnes and Larry came from the
saddle house.
Some Of the boys have their
own stuff" Pete was saying. but
we keep a few saddles around for
fellows like you. You can u S e
mine. It's over on that black in
the corner"-he nodded toward a
black horse tied to a corner post
try it out, e how you like it."
Thanks, Barnes" Larry start
ed toward the horse.
Just a minute, Collins" Barnes
halted him. Want you to meet
Monnie- Miss Miles. The Colonel's
daughter, and the real boss around
here" Barnes grinned up at Mon
ME, winked broadly. Larry walked
over to the fence.
Miss Monnie, this is Larry Col
Inns, the new hand your Dad just
hired"
I've met Mr.. Collins, already,
Pete. We have met, haven't we,
Mister Collins?"
Larry met her challenge with a
smile and an apology. I'm aw-
fully sorry about that, Miss Miles.
All my fault. If Miss Miles hadn't
been such a good driver, Barnes,
they'd still be diggin tin out of me.
I'm glad to know you, Miss Miles"
Monnie ignored Larry's out
stretched hand and his apology.
If this cowpunk can't ride n
better than he can drive a car, YOU
better get him a burro, Pete"
Larry turned, walked to the
black. If he hadn't been so angry,
he would have noticed the horse
tense his muscles as Larry swung
the reins over his neck, twisted the
stirrup around tomount. But Lar.
ry missed that.
He almost missed tn saddle.
too.
The instant Larry's weight hit
the stirrup, the black jumped
sideways and away. Before Larry
could find the other stirrup, the
blacks head was down between
his forelegs and he was punching
his muscles for a pitch.
Larry pulled with all his
strength to get that black head up,
but failed. The horse bucked-
~ AoAJ LIl6 saddle
horn-pulled leather. If he
could only find that right stirrup. ,
l. Up-up-then that crashing.
splne-jarring smash as the horse
mt earth. Once-tWice-
Barnes voice came to him faint
ly-"Ride him, kidd" And Monies
laugh tlnkled beyond a haze of dust
and moving landscape
Larry's hand was jerked loose
He was up in the air, like a diver
of a springboard Something fell
on his head. -. Blackness.
Barnes was running to Larry,
swinging his hat to drive the black
still pitching, away from the
thrown rider.
We shouldn't have done that.
MISS Monnle. -. Maybe we broke
his neck" AVN
Ito Be Continued)