Tex""

ange in Montana, a great pasture level in the center, but rising on its sides like a vast, shallow saucer, with here and there a crack of more somber hue where a ravine, or sluggish strea

ouse and its flanking red buildings, framed by the gray of corral walls, nestles on the southern slope of a rise and basks in the sunlight. From it three faint trails grow more and more divergent, leading off to Everywhere. Scattered over the vast, green pastures are the grazing units of a great herd, placid and

of long service and the comfort coming from such. His hat is a dark gray sombrero, worn in a manner suggesting a cavalier of old. Over an open vest are the careless folds of a blue kerchief, and at his right hip rubs a holster with its waiting, deadly te

re is a prospect about him which he knows cannot be improved upon; here are duties light enough practically to make him master of his time, yet heavy enough to be purposeful; his days are spent in the soothing solitudes of clean, refreshing surroundings; his evenings with men who give him perfect fellowship, wordless re

herous, lower currents, and the reason was plain to those who knew him well. First he had a courage sparkling like a jewel, unhesitant, forthright, precipitate; next he had a rare mixture of humor and cynicism which better revealed to him things in their right proportions and values; and last, but hardly least by any means, an intelligence of high order, buttressed by facts, clarified by systematic study, and edged by training. In his youth he had aimed at the practice of medicine, but gave too

as strong as his own, but in few other ways resembling him; and from that time on he swam on the surface. It would be foolish to say that the depths ceased to lure him, for they did, and at times so powerfully that he scarcely could resist them. For this he had to thank to no small degree one of the bitterest experiences of his life: his disastrous marriage. Giving blind love and unquestioning loyalty, he had lost both by the unclean evidence unexpected

tful if he ever had given a thought to the question of his freedom, for with his mental attitude it meant nothing at all to him. He had put among his belongings the letter from his

d a rise, descried him, and waved a sombrero. The newcomer dashed recklessly down the slope and drew rein sharply at his side, a cheerful grin wreathing his homely, hones

ewcomer. "What's eatin'

plain, indeed. "Mental worms an' moral cancer, Pete," replied the cynic, smi

if it's what I reckon it is, there's just two cures." Pete

ined Tex. "Yo're as quick as a reflex." He studied

t's driftin' off som'ers, then we lose. Tell you what: Go down to Twin River an' clean 'em out at stud, if you can find anybody that ain't played you before," he suggested hopefully. "Mebby there's a stra

y demanded. He could not afford to have an

way, for Buck.

py or Red or Johnny?" he asked, and the question acted like alum in muddy water, clearing aw

te stone over yore head with nice letterin' on it to tell lies forever. You know 'em. Comin' along w

inewy hand. "In case I don't see you again," he explained in answer to

m allus talkin' too blamed mu

pasmodically. "Cheer up; I don't aim to stay away forever!" He spurred his mount

ght and he stopped his own jump to grab the horse, which had been stung in turn. A snicker and a quick rustle sounded under the summer kitchen and Tex took the coiled

I can shoot yore liver out before you can whirl it!" Pickles was quite a big boy now, but threa

ing the rope back. "Never," he affirmed decidedly; "but I'

ke a draught of wine. His sombrero sweeping off as he turned, he bowed to the French Rose,

ot." At the momentary cloud the name brought to her face he shook his head and growled to himself. "I'm a fool, ma'am, these days," he apologized; "but it s

le--he seems so, so--" she shrugged her shoulde

know what he is--an' that's just a plain, ornery fool." He shook hi

regarded him curiously, mo

iend with level, disapproving gaze. "It don't matter with me, but it's plain criminal with you. I'm free to go; yo're not. An' I'm tell

"It ain't so much that, as it is Hoppy, an' Red, an' Johnny," he replied, spreading out

last letters?" He leaned back and laughed outright at the guilty expression on

red Buck. "But that south ran

both ways. You ought to go down on yore knees for what's come to you. An' you will, one of these days. Think of Hoppy's loss--an'

ymptoms of restlessness in another, especially in one who had been as close to him as Tex had been.

shore." While Tex took it and shoved it into his pocket uncounted and crumpled the memorandum, Buck also was reaching into a pocket, and cou

in', for there ain't no real job up here no more for any man as expensive as I am. You got th' whole country eatin' out of yore h

Buck. "You shore did yore share in trainin' it to eat out of my hand. For a while

"How'd you come to fi

smi

he can get it. I'll pay Smith for a month's care." Reading the unspoken question in his friend's eyes, he carelessly answered it. "D

he couldn't be with his distant friends himself, he at l

a feller's heart." He looked shrewdly at his friend and his face beamed from a sudden thought. "We're a pair of fools," he laughed. "You ain't got th' wander itch! You don't want to go jack-rabbitin' all over th' country, like me! All you want is that southwest coun

med of that longing, now vague and nameless no longer. His head snapped back and he stood erect, and his voice thrilled with

ed out his hand for the quick, tight grasp of his friend and wheeled to leave, stopping short as he found himself face

ocked the door, and the quick catch

m so glad, M'sieu Tex--that now I know why my man is so--so restless. Ruth, she said what I think, always. We

r boys back with him, we'll find room for 'em all, eh Rose?" He looked at his frien

he lightly spanked as a fitting farewell; and soon the noi