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"If you'll tell me straight out that you're nothing but an ordinary cow-puncher, that you have no special object in being here on the ranch, that you're exactly what you seem and nothing more, then I I'll believe you." Her words banished the last part of resentment lingering in Stratton's mind. She was a good sort, after all.
He listened, however, to Stratton's brief explanation and in a few gruff words agreed that in the unlikely event of any inquiry he would say that the new hand was off riding fence or something of the sort. Then he swept out the offending ashes and proceeded methodically to get supper, declining any assistance from his visitor.
Turning quickly, the latter saw that it looked out on the rear of the ranch-house, where there were a few stunted trees and a not altogether successful attempt at a small flower-garden. On a rough, rustic bench under one of the trees sat young Manning and Mary Thorne, in earnest conversation. "Sickening, ain't it?" commented Bud, taking encouragement from Stratton's involuntary frown.
But he had never consciously set eyes on her before in all his life! Stratton's first feeling was that the girl must have made a mistake. In a dazed fashion he stepped forward and helped her out of the buckboard, but this was a more or less mechanical action and because she so evidently expected it.
He thought of other precious metals, too, and even gave a passing consideration to a deposit of diamonds or some other precious or semi-precious stones. Once he switched off oddly on the subject of prehistoric remains, and Stratton's surprised inquiry revealed the fact that three years ago he had worked for a party of scientific excavators in Montana.
"'T ain't likely they will," shrugged Daggett. "Still, it won't do no harm to try. Yuh can't ride in them things, though," he added, surveying Stratton's well-cut suit of gray. "I don't specially want to, but they're all I've got," smiled Buck. "When I quit ranching to show 'em how to run the war, I left my outfit behind, and I haven't been back yet to get it." "Cow-man eh?"
He fell to coughing suddenly, and for a few minutes his great body was racked with violent paroxysms that brought a bright crimson stain to the sleeve he flung across his mouth. But all the while his eyes, full of strange venomous triumph, never once left Stratton's face. "Yuh see," he choked out finally, "the ranch ain't hers."
Great was the rejoicing around the Strattons' supper-table that their friend's son was not lost. The next time Mr. Landler saw Harry, the minister said pleasantly, "You gave me quite a climb the other night, my boy." Harry looked astonished. "Gave you a climb?" he questioned. "I gave you one?" "Yes," nodded Mr. Landler. "Miss Stratton's evening paper fell on her roof.
"I don't mean to do anything of the sort," retorted Miss Thorne. "But it's your duty. He'll get clean away, and go right on stealing " "Please, Alf!" There was a tired break in the girl's voice. "I don't want to talk any more about it. I've had enough " Stratton's lips tightened and he passed on out of hearing.
I wouldn't be in yore shoes for no money when Tex comes around an' remembers what yuh done?" "I reckon I can take care of m'self," retorted Jessup. "It ain't Tex's game to be took up for no murder yet awhile." Without further comment he gathered up most of Stratton's belongings and departed for the corral. Buck took his hand-bag and, leaving the cabin, limped slowly down to the creek.
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