Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-06-08

himself slowing the suitcase in the
blackboard.
Richard Seeks Shave.
Allison had been so very busy with
other things that she had given
very little thought to Mattingly or
what he would like. Despite his
rumpled appearance, he was quite
good-looking. He was not quite as
tall as John, his blond hair blue
eyes and untanned skin contrasted
sharply with Johns black, wavy
hair, piercing brown eyes and
bronze complexion.
I'm going shopping for groceries,
Mr.. Mattingly. Would you like to
come along or would you rather
wait here in the blackboard? The
store is just across the street. John
is going to get the rest of the things
we need. We have to feed and rest
the horses a bit before we start
back, so it might be quite a long
wait"
rs there some place I could get
a shave and get cleaned up?"
There is a barber shop in the
frame dwelling across the square. -
John said. 1t was the first time
he had spoken directly to the CO.
partner of the NC Ranch.
Fine. That's where Id better go
first"
'All right" Allison smiled pleas
antly. Wen come over there when
we get through. I expect by that
time we will all be ready for some
thing to eat"
She turned and fell in step with
John, while Mattingly watched with
a queer mixture of emotion. Imag-
inc Allison Carver being such a
winsome slip of lass. And vaguely
he began to wonder where the ranch
foreman fitted into the picture.
Pleased With Ranch.
1t was almost sunset when they
finally drove up to the ranch house.
Can you be back in about an hour.
John?" Allison asked as they got
out Of the blackboard at the ranch
door.
II can make it by then. I'm sure"
And he drove off to the corral.
What nice, rambling old place
you have here, Miss Carver. 1t
looks as I had always thought a
ranch house should look. You know,
homv and comforta BILE"
I'm pleased that you like it. Il
always seemed the most wonderful
place in the world to dad and me,
and I still think it is
Ling met them at the door. his
face wreathed in smiles. Mr.. Mat
tinely, this is Ling. 1.-The best cook
in the valley" Ling beamed with
happiness.
Ling will show you 10 your room
and see that you are comfortable,
and If you can wait another hour
for food, John will have supper with
us and afterward we can get down
to some Of the business of running
a cattle ranch. I thought you would
be impatient to hear how things are
going"
Miss Carver, I know nothing
whatever about the cattle business.
but with you as teacher I expect
to graduate with honors." Turning,
he followed Ling up the stairs.
While the smothered chicken and
hot biscuits were delicious exam
pies of Ling's ability, Allison still
felt the strain of trying to make
it a successful meal. The CONVEX
sation was polite but very strained.
John seemed preoccupied, and Rich
ard Mattingly chose to direct all
his attention to her in very
marked fashion. They tried to keep
the conversation on a very casual
plane, but she felt that probably
they would all enjoy themselves
more if they really discussed the
problem at hand.
AS soon as they returned to the
living room she introduced the sub
ject that they were all interested
in. John brought the books from
the ranch Office, and We may as
well go over them now"
Richard Is Not Convinced.
As they sat down Allison turned
to John, Perhaps you had better
explain about the loss of so mucn
of the herd"
We'll, Mr. Mattingly" John be-
gan, during he last few years
two to be eAact-we hacve lost
almost a third of the herd to cattle
rustlerS, some OF the best cattle. too.
and always just about the time
they were fattened ana ready for