Mason of Bar X Ranch

re to be held on the Fourth of July. Mason had received word that his car had arrived, and starting out early one morning

e horses in, a job he accepted with relief when he

ke that," he growled to himself as he wat

arious sports, and they were hard at it when Mason drove his rac

ar door. The boys crowded about the machine, making various c

f her?" queried Mason as he stoo

me," spoke up Joe Turner with a dr

to Scotty

e." Mason interposed, with a hearty laugh. "We burned the wind so

d Mason noticed the eyes of the girl sparkle as she

Post incident. It appeared to him that she had deliberately

an and was for discharging the halfbreed on the spot, but Josephine had interceded with such good results that her father had relented and

meet her coolness with unconcern. He had befriended the Spani

ok up and saw the girl smiling at him. His resolution vanished in thi

rly to his explanation of the workings of the car wh

he was saying, as he gave his belt an extr

nd as Tex said, he had been riding his horse until it was almost winded. He seemed to be in a surly m

-in with the damnedest freak of a man that it's ev

see why that reason should call for a cowboy to run h

et you riled up that way," Sc

him with a wit

nut," Buck retorted, addressing the ranch owner. "And

him and at a nod from the

chine, I figured I would go into the hotel

when the door opened and the freshest duck in loud clothes I had ever set eyes on came strolling in, walked

morning,

ot. He plumb took my breath away. When I got

hard voice, 'I've kille

hem in thousand lots,' he said in his woman's voice

e the Bar X ranch was located, said he was coming out to

nerve if I had anything to do with it. He wanted me to sho

hat I could expect him out here

rowled Buck in conclusion, wip

tion that arose from the men at Buck's recital. Some were for giving the stranger a warm

rry about Buck's find until he gets here, and when he comes I want you men to refer

y made their way to the corral. Mason drove his racer to the s

k at the Ricker ranch. He also told him of the hunchback's revelation that Ricker had known Mason's father in the past and

designs, too," he said at last, a steely look co

t to make of it,"

xpect an answer soon, which I hope will clear the mystery

as he noticed a troubled look in the other's face, "che

phernalia he had discovered at the Ricker ranch and his own impressions of the general air of mystery that surrounded the place.

lboys, all good-natured and jolly. He had taken a position close to the corral with Josephine and her father where they were waiting for the first event of the day to be pulled off. It was to b

ceremonies and raising hi

dy!

rt blended together an

ee. The men were to race over a given course, picking up objects off the gr

tingled with excitement as the men cheered their respective favorites. The ranch owner's face was wreathed in

pulled slightly into the lead. It was a straight race now with nothing to pick up, and t

orse forward in a last heroic effort, flash

wboys as they crowded aroun

n't I, Red?" he called out to his

"but this thing ain't settled for good. I mean to have

ill suit me," answer

. Buck had protested against having anything to do with the greaser, as he had named him

s for the expert ropers to observe, when a commotion was h

riend," yelled a cow

the newcomer. All sport came to a standstill, and eyes were turned towards the stranger. He was near enough for them to see that he rode a small horse, or else he was a very tall man for

owboys as they watched the appar

et on the ground and let the horse walk out from und

gazing solemnly at the group,

r X ranch," he rattled on,

he ranch owner. He was trying to figure o

nice pleasant fellow," the freak beg

Miller. That worthy's fac

ace to recruit up, as the doctor says one of my lungs is affected. From the hotel man's description, I tak

wife the ranch owner told MacNutt he could stay with them, after

unt of the delay caused by MacNutt, the match was called off betwee

e contestants. He soon proved himself a superior wrestler, throwing all his opponents in rapid suc

osely, and remarked to Bud, who stood close

, but Powers overheard him a

he said insolently, motioning towards Mason

e, he stepped towards Powers. Anderson and the ranch owner caught him by the arm, telling hi

, and I'll show him

ughed in

him," he said bri

, Powers, that I've wrestled before, so be on your gu

red Powers, g

s here, there, and all over, talking to each and every person as if

all over the other gu

this stranger or not, and just now, she was

wers tried several holds which he broke with ease. There were surprised remarks from the men, who had expected to see the

oice in her ear, and turning

er. "Do you really think the

high pitched voice. "The young

her attention again to the two men. Mason had broken every hold

d him against fouling. As he was protesting, Powers rushed in and securing a body hold, lifted Mason off his feet. As he felt himself f

rom the men, the girl joining i

entific wrestling, and the men began to appreciate it. Powers was furious over his defeat and swore the fall was a trick.

bed an arc in the air; and he fell with such force that he lay stunned. Mason