The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-22
CHAPTER VI

swung Into the work on the ranch, rursed his aches in silence, and was rewarded by BarncS' approval and increasing friendship,
 Monnie and the Colonel were more friendly toward him, too, Both of them rode with the men during spring roundup and brand' ing and Larry was surprised at the way the girl worked. She rode az well as any man, could cut cali from c herd aS skillfully as Barnes
 During branding, she cooked for the crew, then joined Larry ih holding the herd while the others roped and dragged bawling calves up to the fires, it was hot, tiring work and Larry was glad when tho last calf had q haynook brand- cd on It's hip and tho cattle were headed out to summer paSturage'
 He found Monnle riding beside him. All Of the old animoSity had disappeared.
 Dad likes the way you handle cows and horses, too," she said And before he could say anything "He won't keep hand who rideE 6 horse too hard, or gets his cows excited. Says fool cowboy can run more dollars Of Q COW than ell the grass in the Panhandle can put on it. l had you picked as Q tonderfoot when you came here. Guess ] was wrong" She laughed at the memory,
 Larry liked to hear her laugh like that. You were half right Miss Monnie. l grew up on Q horse, but I've been away from TeHas for a while"
 "What brought you back2"
 "eand in my boots, l guess Can't be happy any place else. l quit my job and came home ] was lucky when you almost ran Into me-"
 'When you crashed s stop
 My fault, I know. I asked about you, decided I'd hit your Dad for . job"
 "But you're no ordinary COW. poke, Larry" Her glance swept over him from heel to hat, ap. provingiy. "You're different You're educated--"
 Half the cowmen in the country have college degrees" he countered'
 "Dut they're SonS Of raneherS, not 80 per hands, You-- You Oh, there's Mlkel" She swung her hat at a horseman riding toward the her. "so long, Larry, sec you later" :,
 She wheeled her horse, Bkirted the herd at c run. Larry watched her 20, hating Bentley. The wind whipped her black hair from under her Sombrero, fattened her skirt against her slim figure. She sat c saddle ag fl she were part Of the horse.
 Bentley -- he would have to come down here" He turned to pick up ( strasgler' "det along vou-"
 Larry felt like 6 new man after nc had washed of the trail dust, changed clothes, He waited until twilight, then walked to the ranch. house. Monnie was alone on the porch, crisp and Bunimery in white, She looked as If she were dressed for . party. Larry stopped at the railing.
 "There's \ dance in town to. night. Some radio band, Would you like to go7"
 "I'm sorry you didn't ask mo sooner, Larry" she answered Bmil- ing. "That's why Mike rode over to meet us today. He asked me to 90 with hbn,"
 "Okay, thanks. Maybe some other time" Larry started to leave but she stopped him.
 Come Up and talk until Mike comes, won't you? Dads working on the books. want to know more about your secret past" She moved over on the swing, making room for him beside her. Larry couldn't refuse.
 He smoked silently, apparently staring out into the increasing darkness, actually mafveling at the transformation Monnie had undergone. Today she was a tom- boy, riding working beside him. Tonight she was an almost fragile beauty, a lovely picture from the age of dons and senoritas.
 Nov, let's hear more about the man who quit his job to be a cowboy" she commanded.
 Larry shook his head. "You