Connie Carl at Rainbow Ranch

shaw's T

r arm gave her great pain. At Lefty's suggestion she rode in to Red Gulch to consult old

next two weeks," he advised.

ide in the rodeo," Con

or shook

e. I doubt very much that your sh

troubles had reached a climax. She knew she had no o

ing quickly she saw Nate Jordan, an old rancher who had been a close friend of

nnie in delight. "What are y

ancher. "Didn't I just sell you

t vein. "After all I'm only the owner of the r

e. Thought you kn

man shouldn't have done that without asking me. I'm so hard

on't want to go through with the deal it's all right with me. Ju

take the animal to

imself yesterday afternoon. I rode

wly. "Blakeman didn't say anyth

rself about kee

ully. "I'll talk it over with Blak

most positive that the foreman had not brought a steer to the ranch the previous day. In fact, s

uld he buy a steer?" she reflected. "Especially when we don't

ch. However, she asked both Lefty and Alkali if any new s

e if Blakeman says anything abou

le Blakeman gave her a quick, sharp glance, he said nothing about the steer. Connie was furt

n money or with mine?" Connie spec

had kept. The foreman had not been a good bookkeeper and i

it looks as if the ranch will not pay for itself on the present basis. My o

ys until the rodeo, and then a scant ten days before the six

prizes at the rodeo," she told herself

She thought the muscles weren't quite as sore as they had

dow when she heard hoofbeats in the cou

as if by magic and she rushed

!" Enid cried as she alighted and looped her lines ov

had cared enough to ride over to the ranch. At the same time s

Enid went on. "It will be too mean

y for lunch," Conni

. "I really shouldn't have come, on

nfusion as if she h

ike you to come here?"

stammer. "I can't explain, Connie, but Pop

Connie said quietly, alt

eo," Enid declared hastily. "I'

r friend, she sprang into the

ht shrewdly. "One would think I might be a brand of poison! Th

yard when Forest Blakeman strode

id Bradshaw?" h

es

want to

she forgot to

s later Connie saw him ride away down the road. It occurred to her as she watched the

cided impulsively. "It may be a sneaking trick

in pursuit of Blakeman, taking care to keep a long distance behind him.

ething of the sort," the girl thought. "But si

for she did not wish the foreman to

e saw his mare tied up in front of the pool hall. Connie had no errands to

her after he had examined her shoulder. "But I

doctor," lau

ened her speed as she saw Forest Blakeman just ahead of her. He was e

had tied Silvertail on a side street, the foreman might see the horse. Then of course he

bumped squarely into a heavy-set man who was comin

o, Pop!" s

ponded the old

indow. Forest Blakeman was nowhere in sight so she knew that he must have stepped into on

ch other by appointment," Connie mused. "

ing herself in a booth adjoining the one occupied by the two

" Blakeman said distinctly although in a low

id. I'm only sayin' it goes agin' my grain to play it on the boys thet way

n. She leaned closer to the wall so

hat old horned rhinoceros of yours out of the show. You agreed and took the money and now you're cryin' a

, I reckon. I'm ready and

ck! Oh, no you don't! Where

eplied the rancher. "He's

id the foreman. "Deliver Nate's steer to the rodeo barns

o more. Quietly she sli