The Pride of Palomar

tribute of a gentle heart moved to quick and uncontrollable sympathy. Following their conversation in the dining-car, the girl-her name was Kay Parker-had continued her lu

the San Gregorio; where did he a

even a hint of ego in his cosmos. His eyes were wonderful-and passionless, like a boy's. Yes; there was a great deal of the little boy about him, for all his years, his wounds, and his adventures. Kay thought him charming, yet he did not appear to be aware of his charm, and this fact increased her attraction to him.

man, and when we meet again, I'm going to investiga

rdinary value. He had merely created that impression. Even his discussion of the Japanese problem had been cursory, and, as she mentally back-tracked on their conversat

you find him p

er slipping into the chair so lately

" He nodded. "Queerest man I've eve

daughter: What you were

oung turkeys are hard

are t

ear. He didn't t

id-looking young chap, that! Struck me he ought to have more in his he

do not understand why he should have mentioned young turkeys at all,

What's

s all about the ranch you took

lose on that. It wa

ing else-the Palomar

ncho, but the Palomar rancho be

oy they call 'Don Mike'-he

e s

to foreclose on

on, I foreclosed. Of course, under the law, Don Miguel had a year's grace in which to redeem the property, and during that year I couldn't take possession without first proving that he was committing waste upon it. However, the old man died of a b

ere any

have been able

d a pattern on the tableclo

acquire that horse, Panchito, for

e redemption period of one year, I shall levy an attachment against the Farrel estate. All the property will be s

im half sadly. "The ex-soldier is an old boyhood chum of t

ith an expression o

ire, honey,

yond the limits of his purse, of course I want you to outbid that some one, but what I do not desire you to do is to run the price up on hi

ured her. "Very well, little daughter;

adorable lips to indicate to him that he might consider himself

ed, and, to that ancient query of paren

ddy

r a tremendous profit on Panchito. We

ce, you haven't money enough

ving you rather long odds, Kay. You say this

infor

e of thousand dollars far worse than he needs a horse. I'll take your bet,

dn't have him-that he wa

as merely jes

e mean

most unusual of young men to show such se

l the more for it. He's a

Evidently he is given to exceeding the speed-limit. Did he tell you how

h men never disc

old Don Miguel's breast. The old fellow rode in on his son's horse, and when the little ceremony was over, he mounted and rode back to the ranch alone. Not a tear, not a quiver. He looked as regal as the American eagle-and as proud. Looking at that old don, one could readily imagine the sort of son he had bred.

hical thirty millions would be

ill not have to concern ourselves,

ill drop in at our ranch and lock hor

ded for these Californians. I've investigated their arguments, and they will not hold water, I tell you.

body's f

young turkeys are hard

radiant smile of t

an we know. And turkey was sixty cents a pound last Thanksgiving!

ed over h

r check for me, and I'll pay it. And if your unknown knight return