The Sheriff of Badger

ase of the Lazy L boss. Floyd was not unlike an amiable gorilla. Well over the two-score mark in years, he rambled somewhat in his shape. In the first place, his shoulders were too broad for his he

and there were those who said she adored him; and he had a son and heir, two years ol

meant enduring Floyd's cold scrutiny for an hour of chat. The boss was civil to her in a heavy, formal way, bestowing sidelong looks when he

day and said, in his usual blunt style: "Sally,

What's got into

rindles and swaybacks and old, hipped long-horns beats me. Lafe will cut 'em all back. He'll just

you cheat Mr. Horne by flirting with Lafe? Y

handy with them eyes of yours on other fellows

Tom! I won't. R

a good wi

in her cheeks. Lafe was very good-humored, indeed. With the improvement in his circumstances had come a marked improvement in appearance. He had imported what is known as a "hand-me-down" suit at the cost of a week's pay, and he took a par

on rode togeth

d tumbling on the ground for the child's delectation. And Sally gloated over Mrs.

rought John

ne of that. I

wing in Johnson during those two weeks of companionship, although we may be convinced that even a stupi

nding in front of a mirror. She could not resist

afe put up a forefinger languidly and touc

ack and silky as

off! Do you hear?" Then she adde

ked under his chin and her face snuggling against the top of his head. The boss blew clouds of smoke and seemed gently amused. These manifestations of devotion had become frequent of late, but it should not be hastily infe

ain, he went north and east to sell of his herds. Sally told Lafe that he left her al

u say?" she

etting old and ain'

of talk right now. I

frequent sallies concerning Floyd, and it put them at once o

rked in relays to get him drunk. He partook sociably, but without noticeable impairment of his faculties, and he cut the herd ruthlessly to a remnant. The boss grew d

you think I couldn't tell a two-year-old from a th

perfunctorily that Sally felt the stab and was furious. However, she went. The widow was as sleek as a kitten and wore such a secretive air that Mrs. Floyd had much ado to keep her temper during the meal. Afterward, M

Floyd cried, gri

no call for he

by. That doesn't make it any

ter: "Now g

guessing," Jo

his morning that my Tom was too frien

does she want to go and tell them

don't

kon I'

by!" Mrs. Floyd g

tly uncomfortable when Sally intimated that they might expect Mrs. Tracey to be talking of them next-if, indeed, s

y said. "Her talk can't hur

le will be

rash, Sally. It don't matter what that kind thinks. Lea

evening meal, she put on a pink dress for which Lafe had professed admiration, and parted her hair in the middle. Had there bee

!" she sniffed. "Huh! you won

out-no doubt of that-and Johnson was good-natured. But the boss was a silent man and opposed no objection. As for Sally, if she g

other occasion-they were on the veranda and it was growing to dusk-after staring helplessly at her for a full quarter of an hour, while she purposely said as little as possible and toyed with the lace of

l!" she said,

in a chair in a dark corner. She sat there until called to s

she beckoned Lafe on to the v

o go away. You've g

lly. There's thre

Can't you see? You'

nd he came closer. "You care! That's what

me go! Plea

oor. She was panting. In the li

o-morrow, remember,

sofa immediately after his supper, thereby gaining a few hours on everyone else-and rod

he house and busied himself at the corrals, where some newly purchased mules were being broken to harness for his employer. He never gave an order, yet the boys obeyed his slow-voiced suggesti

fe had evidently stayed at the bunkhouse-and she felt vaguely resentful. About nine she tucked the child i

d took the steps at a jump. He was wet, b

gets to shrinking much more on me, I'll ha

the east. Sally uttered hardly a syllable. When she spoke at all, the words came jerkily. Lafe lea

his throat, "the river'll be wa

r! Tom promised he'd co

ight? Why, it's

ever failed to keep hi

come home

o north. There was no thunder. They sat tensely

to-night," he said in a

thed, bending to