The Iron Furrow

ro Creek now showed no water at all in its shallow bed; the garden planted by the Stevensons was long dried up; the sagebrush

ad run a fictitious survey along the mountain side, staking it out conspicuously for any one to see, to the first of the

oncrete drops would have to be constructed at intervals for a distance of a mile or so in order to lower the water. When this section was left behind, he advanced rapidly along the line, for the surface of the gentle crescent swell was smooth, its grade fairly re

iles wide, which for the most part lay equally on each side of Perro Creek. By using the water of this stream during the flood season, a period of some weeks in spring and early summer, Bryant would be able very considerably to augment the supply from the Pinas. It was necessary to join the two sources in a unified system of laterals that would efficiently serve th

from his drawing board where he worked after supper until midnight,

uthern boundary of the ranch, Ruth Gardner came throu

, I made up my mind to visit you," she announced. "I've noticed you down here for

job," Bryant replied. "Won't you use this bag of s

at, inspected her face in a tiny mirror produced from somewhere, rubbed he

since you fixed the ditch," she s

as ex

e are beans, peas, lettuce, radishes, and new potatoes, not very large yet, of course. I know just what

xpressed indignation, while he

ir health, don't we

adow that you call Dave! Well, I won't say my thoughts. For a penny I'

n unimportant trifle frequently postponed; last meal's dishes were washed while the next meal was preparing; clothes were left where they were

Dave stated, uneasily. And without awaiting a reply from

gh, resting her c

be horrified. Well, you may as well sit down and talk to me, Mr. Bryant, for you can't work alone, and I've come to stay awhile. Imog

n't been exactl

he ground and sat cross

o abruptly with Charlie Menocal," she said, with eyes fast

ends at all; w

, named Louise Graham; he hinted that they were as good as engaged. Very likely we shall see little more of him. So if your dislike at meeting him is the reason for your staying away, you haven't a good reason at all. Don't y

y; I'll stop work at noo

t him and wiggled her thum

menace Bryant while he obeyed. "There, now you're safe. And bring that hungry boy and we'

ryth

that three-legged teles

y and irrepressible spirits, was heightened. As he recollected his feeling of pique at her visit with Charlie Menocal to the ruined pueblo, he realized that he had indulged in

unconscious attitudes; awaiting the lift of her eyes to his, harkening for particular tones of her voice. And Bryant, who, though he knew it not, was also athirst for companionship, more and more yielded to her subtle feminine attraction. "She's even prettier than I supposed," he though

oon. Your David will be wondering where you are, while Imogene will imagine I'm

eading bed of prickly-pear he plucked a dozen of the cactus blossoms, ra

"Please assume an angelic expressi

she began to laugh. Lee gave her a reproving tap on the uplifted chin and then fastened the flowers in her hat-band. A thril

!" he said,

oms made a garla

em thus?" she a

ense

And Imo will die of envy wh

ver died

ffer extremely. You didn't ev

to the uttermost. Her head came just even with his shoulder, so that she had to raise her face to gaze at him when he spoke, and in the act there was something simple, winning, blithe, as likewise

ted, laying a f

ned my eyes! Didn't realize how satiated with myself I'd become. But I'll make up for that now, Miss R

and see," s

ll. Till to-

"Beware-and don't forget!" Then after another advance and face about she concluded by blowing him a kiss off the palm of her han

e is!" thought Lee; and he, to

ssed face greete

ell, thank goodness for that! But if that isn't the way with a girl-and