Mason of Bar X Ranch

s a spring close by and he filled his hat with the cool water and bathed her temples. His efforts were rewarded by a flutter of her eyelids just as Scotty came up and joined

l motioned the questio

bullet struck him in a vital spot. I had him covered for ove

ave him a g

r saving my life," she said

ed pleased at her praise, while Mason silently pre

equested with a shudder, af

ing their departure. They planned to send Bud and

was Scotty's comment, as they

ading out of the gorge, she saw her own favorite horse, Fleet. He was quietly grazing where Mason had left h

low whinny of delight. Scotty insisted on having Mason ride his horse while the Scot

into the saddle started Fleet towards home. She rode slowly while she

he came to arrive in time to pu

Josephine while waiting for the cowboys to come up. He had left his horse at the bottom of a deep gorge and started to climb a trail that led to a high plateau whe

but he had you swung in front of him and I had to wa

as a chance of the halfbreed showing fight if he had not been wounded seriously. Mason had no idea how badly he had been hurt, for he had paid little

while they were discussing the possible e

th Joe and the res

e same time and with a rush and

ushed up to Josephine to shake her hand, each man with hat off and ex

f hand-shaking and glory from the cowboys when

and sought out Bud, to whom Josephine had

ing a crude bandage for him and it gave Mason a sharp pang as he realized that she was gravely concerned over Bud's welfare. Mason briefly outlined the re

ll stay here with me while we clean up and look in

ttered a cr

with us?" she asked

ty. "We have got some work to do here be

gh as Bud stalked off to give orders to his men, and Mason, watching her, felt convinced that she was in love with her father's forem

scene, when the girl burst into the house and into her mother's arms. They were laughing an

m endearing names. A tear glistened on the ranch owner's cheek as he si

find no trace of the halfbreed. They believed that the Mexican with hi

lged in by the men who had followed th

d himself out for a nap, found his plans rudely shattered by the mistress of the ranch h

f breaking your promises," she demanded, trying to keep he

iving at," he answered with a blank look. He thought he had never seen her look as pr

asing severity. "Did you or did you not promise me long, long

rang to

he exclaimed. "We'll go for a ride

nswered with a happy laugh

shed and had the motor running smooth

oke and noise," she cried, pu

im adjust the gas mixture. "Jump in, we've picked as fine a morning as you'll fin

le he turned and looked curiously at the girl beside him. She had not uttered a sound, but sat with parted lips smiling in contentment. Her go

image of Anderson who had first claim on her. He gripped the wheel sav

said in a low voice. Then notic

Jack, didn't your breakf

e answered, forcing a smile as he slowed t

tell her of his love. Josephine was rearranging her tumbled

a regular savage, Sir Jack, and you looked like a fiend a minute ago. Now, I can't see why you should have any troubles

a tender light in them. He longed to take her in his arms and cover her

received a letter from mother; she and my sister will be

in delight. "I am very anxious to m

ink you will like her. She i

what other troubles have you got, if you can call your mother and sister a trouble?" She wa

uneasily

way of pinning a man down to

he trut

o one side of the trail

Mason turned

girls, but I never cared for any of them. I know, now, that I love you, Josephine, and I will tell you how I came to know the truth. I admired you from the first time we met

osephine faltered faintl

't bother you about it again to-day, but may I have your pe

ck, it's not nice of you to keep me here all

laugh, "but we're nearly there now. Sit tight and I'll have yo

besides you promised to teach me how to dr

uildings of Trader's Post came into view. A moment later he drove

you rescued the fair Wa

ce red

ocent tool by Ricker's gang and didn't know wha

e running board and flashed

ile I am in the store. I will try to be quick," a

rinned

they go shopping, I will have

watching the four corners or common, wh

n. Suddenly he sat up stiff and straight, staring hard at the hotel porch. He had made out the figure of MacNutt and he w

e. He resolved to denounce MacNutt to the owner of Bar X when he got back to the ranch. He was interrupted in his meditations by

g very long, did I?" she

ied absently, still keepi

staring at?" s

you when we get under way," he

to the hotel, and there was MacNutt talking with one of the cowboys from the Ricker ranch. I never qui

y. "He knows the Ricker crowd are enemies of my fa

with your father when we get back to the ranch. We are out on a pleasure tri

very con

nfidence

ughed

a man like

girl like you before,

another minute, and you promised to be good for the rest

corrected her, "and what you are

and level for miles, and Mason let the trim racer dart ahead in a fresh burst of speed. Josephine had her eyes glued o

o gasp, "I can't talk to y

ly slowed t

mes when my friend Roy Purvis gets

after him, "I never heard y

er before he went in for aviation. He promised me just

ng part Roy Purvis and his airplane

interested in what

e keenly enthusiastic. "I have never s

n no

I wouldn't be surprised to

take his seat while he instructed her in driving. Soo

became tired and he re

rst lesson," he told her with honest convic

again some time, I think I can do still better." He fanc

be all mine," he

ode past the corral they were surprised to see MacN

and by taking a shorter route