Mason of Bar X Ranch

y neared the porch they heard the girl talking in a tone of reproof to Scotty. He

lled down right and proper, listen. Tha

watched the scene

of you, and of all times when you should have kept sober. What will

iftly and entered the house. Red was fairly ex

th a grin. "I'll make you a

l. As he was passing them Red co

ht on that call

nd strode past h

lters was a tall and powerfully built man with a face

rip. "Glad to meet you. Used to know your dad years ago back East. Hope

the instant, for al

and I'll make you acquainted with my daughte

t saw her on the porch with her father she was dressed in riding habit, but now she wore a dress of some fluffy creation such as the girls of

ugh the introduction which her father made. T

n to his room while mothe

ed," she added, turning t

s time, saying, "I am somewhat hungry, Miss Walters,

hdrew to help her mo

declared her father, g

w Mr. Walters the letter of introduction which his father

ather well enough to

. Red, having been invited, told some stories with such droll wit that he kept Mason laughing throughout the meal. The girl was an interested listener and occasionally put in a w

up a little longer and soon the three were talking on general subjects. The open-hearted hospitality of these Western people was pleasing to

unds of activity below, he dressed hastily. Going downstairs he was greeted with

alf an hour, and you can look aroun

utdoors somewhe

ed the corner of the house he came across a sight that filled him with a

pace, he soon

Walters," he said,

ed up quickly

ish to make a bargain with you. You may

agreed, falling

g her dog again and

e, love

" the girl asked,

and shoo

ething about a do

my dog. His name is Rover. Shake

paw, which Mason shoo

girl gaily, "you now h

he questioned, "is where all

you the bunk-house. It is that building you see just beyond the

ed for Mason to follow her. Wh

to saddle Fleet and a horse for you; then we are going t

cotty in yester

"Outside of Bud Anderson's horse, there isn'

on?" he queried, g

the foreman of our ranch, and Sheriff of this County. He taught me

foreman and Sheriff but he didn't me

horses," the girl cried, c

iff from being in the

er if I have to keep up with you,

ave him a

d I am going to teach you how to ride fast

small Colt's revolver. Scotty had come up with the horses and af

he range, Jack," she explained

o her lips she blew

lled a voice

en and the ranch

could speak, "I would like you to

aid with a grin,

nd glanced reprovi

stepped inside a

to make you acquainted with a

starting with the largest one of the lot, said,

o and Powers he took an instant dislike to them. Carlo had squinting eyes and his hand had a c

ke the tensi

I are going to ta

the first day," he warned h

Daddy," she called back

well out of sight of the ranch buildings when the girl again spoke, "Jack, I am going to take you over some of our range land and in r

you rush into the house wh

Scotty down," she replied demurely, "b

to see you in suc

wide, "do you think we are barbarians

ly, "but I was pleasan

e rode i

ake that for a compliment

for a compliment," h

" she laughed, "but be ca

is Bud Anderson you tell about?

ss for Dad; we expect hi

r was bracing and spicy with the smell of sage brush. Far off down the valley he could see cattle grazing. It was his first view of a large her

Oh, I hope you will like it out here. Lo

Gap," he

e out that way and I'

his horse he tried

g too fast for me," he c

cked her horse to a slower pace. Her eyes were

he said. "I forgot you ar

d keenly

ful big dub in your

e would make if Bud Anderson was along.

way," she said gravely, "w

ghed b

ride out to this Devil's Gap and you

t not too fast," he adde

hat way," Josephine correct

n't fathom," admitt

story, Josephine," he said,

s another ridge. About a year ago a band of lawless outlaws and ex-cowboys had been operating around these parts. They were led by a desper

ays your foreman thinks he is running your cattle over the li

en terrorizing the miners and ranch owners for miles around. The last hold-up they pulled off was at the little station four miles south of Trader's Post. They held up the midnight through train, and o

on business at the time. Daddy wired him to come home at once. When he arrived, Buck

the Gap. When they arrived at the foothills, Scotty and

giment of men, once they had gained the plateau. They had made it a sor

lasted. They forced the outlaws to the top where they made a stand. Bud and Red and Scotty charge

ed. One of the band told Joe Turner that they had intende

y never dreamed that Bud would dare to follow them up to the plateau. So that is t

trail. On the way home Mason told the g

came to leave home, and how his father had made him

e good out here?" the g

with you for company,

ed him straig

e said with a rare smile. "You must in

am going to send for my

. We will have great fun with it. We have a negro cook and the boys call him Smoke, he is so black. Bud took him on a trip

ed out of his head and he was scared stiff. When he got back home he told the boy

heartily at

in the direction where he had seen the cattle g

"one of our boys, I can

come up. Mason noticed the cowboy took

from New York," she said,

in from the boundary line. Sort of keeping an eye on the Ric

ey been kicking up any trouble?"

acting mighty queer since them two punchers joined o

it of pulling his belt up to the last notch and letting it out again whi

hrugged he

, Tex," the girl sai

dded

care of them. You ride in with us, we w

f them if I get half a chance

that his waist was small as a bean pole, started a

an easy conversation. He was surprised

ne place and they have as much range as Daddy has. They have a girl working for them, too. She is Spanish and a bea

ter I have seen her,"