The Iron Furrow

ring a wide-brimmed straw hat, strolled out to watch his operations. She was in a friendly and talkative mood, and asked questions concerning ditches and irrigation and surveying, and about Dave

ad stated such to be a fact, though what he had further hinted of Bryant's endeavour to gain property t

ad if they continue their present policy," Lee

ill of bean plants for a seat, sat dow

referred to the ford, I could scarcely keep my face straight; and my feeling ill this afternoon, though partly true, was also partly manufacture

here? I thought you

it would be improved by being in the open in a high altitude. Uncle said I'd better stay with him and aunt, but I knew how terribly disappointed Ruth would be if I did, because she couldn't homestead alone. So uncle declared that if homesteaders we had to be, then we mu

f have trouble with the

ave been some financial matter. Or it may have been over politics; both of them mix in that. Anyway, he doesn't think highly of

day he and I clashed at

were walking and couldn't very well refuse his courtesy, and then he asked to call and Ruth at once gave him permission, and that's the way it came about. But I thought it wise t

" Lee asked, with a

culous, still I can't help the feeling. When I look at a man like Charlie Menocal, I see the Mexican strain uppermost even if his mother was white; and I think what strange, savage, unguessed traits may lurk in his blood from a long time back; and I shiver. One dare not say th

vel into the earth and seat

who ignore or deny it are simply blind. Why, look, there's antipathy between even white men of different nationalities! So what else is

born and raised here are in sympathy with those across the border in any trouble Mexico has with our

w near and silently drank in the conversation, most of which passed above his head. As for the engineer, he found in his companion a peculiar ch

n your work," she e

as done. I didn't sit down until it was practically put in shape. I hope we shall h

ns, while Dave followed with Dick. At the houses Bryant cast an appraising look at the scanty heap of chopped wood and wound

"I don't believe you're strong enough to handle an axe, Miss Martin; and it would grieve me deeply to

made out fa

he matter," he returned, good-naturedly. "Still, we all go hunting troubl

m, also leading a horse. In a land where men saddle a mount to ride a few hundred yards, the singular coincidence excited their curiosity. They wondered why the fellow walked, as doubtless he was wondering the same thing of them. But as they drew nearer they perceived the pedestrian to

his hat and

ame, I see. Can I be o

ined a tendon," she replied. "So I'm leadi

all! There's blo

hat," she said, with

her wide brow and clear brown eyes and the fineness of her skin, and her warm, sensitive lips, at thi

here," Lee

od, rod, and saddle. Then he unfastened the

e you doing?"

me and send him back to me to-morrow; I live ju

ranch had been sold by Mr. Stevenson. Father bought his sheep. You

u can lead your own mount. Walki

ld not exactly decide. But as she made no explanation, he gave her a hand and swung her upon Dick, after wh

part, however, but sat

house," she s

see

r the ford, I found that he had picked up a stone which I couldn't remov

compressing her lips and gaz

e engineer

there, I heard

t sti

og Mike behi

d everywhere I found that it came from one of the three cottonwood trees. Somebody had hurt him, and the

've killed

ach leg. A nail through his throat. Nails through his b

was frozen and horrified. Both gazed fixedly acro

ryant asked presently,

the creek and washed his wounds. But he died. I see his eyes yet, looking up at me." For a little she was ove

lanced u

w you were a fr

ng the other horse, she rode away throu