Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-06-03

the ranch. We can discuss this
matter in greater detail at that
time.
very sincerely yours.
RICHARD MATTINGLY."
Coming to with a start, Allison
realized that the ranch foreman
was standing before her. Not even
. long, grueling day in the saddle
could bend the fine, straight back
and broad shoulders or dull the
keen brown eyes of John Wade.
Miss Carver, you're lookin'
kinda pale Are you sick?" His
Texas drawl showed real concern.
Allison Explains.
7 wish 1t were as simple as that,
John; something you could take a
pill for and be all right in the
morning. Sit down and read this
letter, then I will explain what 1t
doesn't make clear"
John Wade didn't take his eyes
from Allison as he pulled a chair
across the rough oak floor, de-
posted his hat by the side of it
and reached for the letter. ALI
son sat with bowed head making
crescents and stars on a scratch
PAD. The only sound was the loud
ticking of dilapidated clock on
shelf by the door and an occasional
rattle of paper.
John finished the letter and
looked up. This Richard Mattingly
Is the son of the man who home
steaded this ranch with your dad,
Isn't he?"
Yes, Allison Mattingly and my
father came here almost so years
ago to homestead this land. They
were boyhood pals in a little town
In Connecticut and came West to-
gether to find their fortune. I was
named for Mr.. Mattingly. I notice
by the letter that Richard Mattingly
addresses me as Mr.. Carver. Evil
IDENTIFY he thinks dads only child
was a boy"
John interrupted. He must not
know much about his fathers bust
ness"
II doubt very much that he does.
Mr.. Mattingly and dad drifted apart
through the years. Dad loved the
West from the very minute he got
here, but Mr.. Mattingly always
longed for his Connecticut hills. AS
soon as the claim was proved up,
Mr.. Mattingly and dad hit upon an
agreement whereby dad could live
here and his partner could return
TO the East. Dad was to run the
ranch. pay all bills, then they would
split the profits. From Mr.. Mat
tingly's half, dad was to get 80 per
cent IN payment for being the boss
Tried TO Buy All.
Allison was lost In dreams of
the past, retelling story she
had heard often from her father.
THE Big Boss married the dis
trict school teacher and stayed on
In the West, even raised a baby
daughter after her mother died of
pneumonia when she was S. Mr.
Mattingly returned East and en-
tered the stock and bond business
with his uncle He married So
ciaIly prominent lawyers daughter
became very wealthy. They had
this one son Richard. BY the time
l was old enough TO understand
the story the letters from the East
didn't come very often. I don't
think Mr. Mattingly was very
happy, with all his money, for he
would often speak wistfully of the
fact that dad seldom had me out of
his sight. Mrs. Mattingly and Rich
ard spent much of the time abroad.
He was always wishing he could
come out and visit us, but the mar
ket never seemed to be 50 that he
could"
why didn't your dad buy him
out?"
He offered to many times in the
good years when cattle was really
making money and the rustlers
were below the border, but MI
Mattingly always refused. He gave
as an excuse that this was the only
investment he had that he felt was
In honest hands. The letters be-
came fewer and finally ceased al
together, except for a brief note
when dad sent him a check at the
close OF the year. I wrote him last
fall when dad died, but I got only
. note of sympathy from his secre'
tary. 1t seemed that he was i'll al
the time and they feared the shock
of his old friends death woulc
make him worse I doubt very
much If he ever knew it-he die
two months later"
"And now" John said, "the son l!
going to dispose of his share Of thu
land regardless of who buys it."
Many Problems Arise.
Again Allison nodded. You know
how things have been going the las
two years, John. Drouths, cattl'
rlstlers, more cattle rustlers, brusl
dres and he sits in New York ant
Gays We don't show proflt! VIVA
does he know about the fight view