Mason of Bar X Ranch

ow people could enjoy knocking a bunch of balls around a table and getting all heated up. He had about decided to take a run in his motor when a messenger boy handed him a message. It was f

probably read about the scrape t

anded: "Say, Smithy, how did the story of my

iend replied; "you know as

," he continued, "is how my part in the club boxing match got in the papers. I

ave been bawled out by the old man,

Smithy, I have been in worse scrapes before, but always managed to patch them up some way. Now, this story gets in the papers, and that pri

my best regards to your father." This his parting shot, but Mason was out

busy reading a paper on his desk, and Mason sank indolently into a chair and wa

let's hear t

ather, "you took you

ly after receiving your messa

ccount of you in the paper of going into the ring at your club and fighting six rounds, a choice bit of scandal for the

about it, Dad. I know how you an

as going to disinherit you, Sir, but I talked the matter over

remembered once before when his

osition, Dad," he said, his

money on you for gambling debts and to spend for drink. I'll give you one more chance and if you fail to make good I wash my hands of you. Early this morning I got in touch w

Dad, how my going out there will

uld it will make a man of you. You have a good college education, a

try it," agreed Mason

troduction," said his fat

glancing at the

Wa

Ranch,

s look of surpr

it is about four hours' ride on horseback. I

trip on horseback. You know, Dad, I'm soft for that sort o

d your health is none too good. Now, I want you to get out of this rut. You will have

but tell me more abo

da. He invested his money in land and a few cattle, and now owns one of the finest ranches in Nevada. I reme

esting," commented Mason.

on't need to worry about tha

of cattle to the Post, and with orde

he exclaimed, rising to his feet. "Four P. M. I must be going if I start in the

rapidly home. Going at once to his mother's room he to

ps it will be best for you, but it is hard to have our only boy leave us. Do be care

I'll see Ethel and e

he found his sister

ied, "is it true y

I leave in

younger than Jack

and I'll make you a promise. After I have been on this ranch long enough to get t

e agreed, "but I will be so lo

ee, who is that young fellow you have been going w

, "that young fellow you speak of, his name is

, maybe you can find some

out there and make good. Mother told me that father wrote to the man who owns the ranch a

efore I'll send for you and mother.

y were soon busy packing

d his parents goodbye and

for Trader's Post. Walking around the small platform of the depot he spied a dilapidated stage and a scraggy looking pair of horses. The driver was busily engage

o let off some mail, but I didn't see you get of

," said Mas

" explained the driver. "Jump in,

les to the Po

on the long ride to the ranch. The driver kept up a runn

pment of cattle to the Post. They have been there two days now

it of news he started t

the ranch?" queried Mason. "Do

er shook

y Campbell and Red Sullivan to meet you and Scotty had to celebrate, but a better pa

eaned over c

ke to you, you will h

the town, and Mason look

cattered houses. As they drew near the hotel they heard a succession of whoops

otty," he

good pair of lun

two men at the bar turned and looked Mason over. One, a good-natured looking Ir

offering his hand

hands an

hands with ou

Mason over fro

hed heavily against the bar. "Don't mind me, I had to

nning from

sephine when we get back to the ranch, I

ed and look

attention to Red, let's

Scotty, but I'll ta

Red. "I'll strap your luggage on my horse and se

porch, Mason watched

ooking horses. He appeared so unsteady

e!" he calle

fened and g

in," he growled, fr

the saddle and dashed up to

orseman are you,

ny medals for fancy r

tle ride ahead of us," he said, as

lapsed into a moody silence and Red looked at him curiously as they rode along. The Easterner was thinking of

Josephine you spok

" answered Red, as he rode his

boys would fight for her at the drop of the hat. Wit

queried Maso

onery punchers on our range that I don't

d was listening with jaws tightly set. "Red, why don't Walters get r

old man hates to let them go," replied Red

, "if I had my way I would hav

at out of his system. Scotty and those two pun

ted. "What particular thing have yo

e cowboy took

if he ever gets any evidence he will push them to the limit, for he is a bad man when he gets started. You see, Jack," Red continued, "there's a ranch up the valley from us run by a man named Ricker. His b

ing to have an interesting time

ife; that is, if I can get used to this rough riding

laug

to hard riding if you

"but don't let that redhead try to

d hair, but he didn't like

withering sarcasm, "I can stop you on a

s at the ranch next month, and if you can beat me on trick riding, y

agreed Red, shaki

used smile as he listened

ever stepped in boots when it comes to

f should have anything against Miss Joseph

educated. He had the nerve to try to make love to her, and one day he became offensive. Then she turned him down cold and he got sore

do well is to throw the

only man on the range that's got a chance with Pete. They had a conte

girl on horseback. She was too far off for him to make out her features, but he co

s he whistled shrilly to her. The girl looked around and raised her hand in rec

d Red with a broad grin. "She's sp

the race was on. Soon both riders we

ed a sigh of relief when Red soon after pointed out the ranch to him. It was a large roomy building with a wide porc