Connie Carl at Rainbow Ranch

oming

n riding clothes, she let herself out of the ranch ho

gave a low whinny of welcome. Connie laughed with

," she said softly. "And how

k. Connie needed no saddle. She had learned to ride bareback as a child, and when

eels. Silvertail snorted and the dust rolled from under his hoofs. The

smoothly and easily, obedient to the slightest touch of his mistress. Conn

she said at last, turni

ed from the bunkhouse. Connie slid to the ground,

she declared. "In all the world ther

ied the cowboy affectionately. "I suppose

oming, Lefty?" Co

d prizes this year. Five hundred dollars for the best gal bronco ri

than I am now," said Connie. "I've b

ls in this county," Lefty insisted loyally. "I

th a laugh. "No, I think I'll let someon

Forest Blakeman if she m

learn just how matters are around here. I hate to tell you

t of it in your let

have made it if the bottom hadn't fallen out of the cat

om this ranch. It's considered

live, Miss Connie. Most of the smart ran

The ranch house would hold at least a dozen guests.

s Connie." The foreman spoke with a sligh

undred dollars? That would b

ere's a note coming due for fifteen hundred dollars at the First National-that's next mont

oughtfully. She had not realize

d me about it months

snapped. "I've worked night and day at the job. I've even advanced my own money

I just wish you hadn't kept these things from

through," replied the foreman bluntly. "

said Connie quietly. "Tomorrow I'll

rail of the high corral, gazing toward the distant mountains. She felt ve

ely trust him. He had badly mismanaged the Rainbow Ranch, she believed, allowing the quality of the stock

hought uncomfortably. "I'l

pens. A sorrel in particular held her attention for only the night bef

of the barn with a saddle. They grinned

fty grimly. "Old Firewater has a w

tarted the sorrel to running in wide circles around the corr

the sorrel snorted and snapped his teeth and fought at

ride Firewate

e," said the cowboy.

do it. Anyway, I'm not afraid to wipe up a l

easin'," mut

saddled, the cowboys blindfolded him, and held his head between them until Co

fty, jumping aside.

came down stiff-legged. At every jump he seemed to go a little higher and strike the ground hard

ucking and the girl rode him off across the

sed Lefty as she

rodeo," Connie declared slowly. "Do you really believe I

re would have a chance against you, u

ght now," Connie went on soberly. "I

Rainbow will sure b

Connie declared. "Until rodeo time I ex

the girl spent the afternoon making an inspection of the r

rodeo, I'll be able to pay Blakeman everything I

t more at peace with the world. Supper was ove

as she recognized the stout rancher. She quic

old man as he stiffly dismounted.

" Connie answered as she s

e you saw her last, but for that matter

plied. She wondered what had brought Pop Br

ncher invited cordially. "She'll be

hat," Conn

oward the barn. Connie sa

cted. "If it's anything to do with the ranch, I'm the one h

eness by Forest Blakeman, but he paid scant attention to any suggestion which she offered. His attitude

the barn. Pop was leading a horse. In the gathering dusk the girl could not be certa

Connie sitting on the por

d bargain this time. You

could not doubt her own ears, and besides, she saw t

stepping forward. "Mr. Blakeman, w

ago," answered the rancher b

choed in amazement. "But he's my

need money and Silvertail's not much use as a cow pony. I

me," retorted Connie, stri

het way about it," Pop Bradshaw said hastily

. "I couldn't possibly let Silvertail go. M

grily, but he made no comment unti

aid coldly. "You may not get another ch

ll Silvertai

with a shrug. "But after you've talked wit