Connie Carl at Rainbow Ranch
shaw's T
r arm gave her great pain. At Lefty's suggestion she rode in to Red Gulch to consult old
next two weeks," he advised.
ide in the rodeo," Con
or shook
e. I doubt very much that your sh
troubles had reached a climax. She knew she had no o
ing quickly she saw Nate Jordan, an old rancher who had been a close friend of
nnie in delight. "What are y
ancher. "Didn't I just sell you
t vein. "After all I'm only the owner of the r
e. Thought you kn
man shouldn't have done that without asking me. I'm so hard
on't want to go through with the deal it's all right with me. Ju
take the animal to
imself yesterday afternoon. I rode
wly. "Blakeman didn't say anyth
rself about kee
ully. "I'll talk it over with Blak
most positive that the foreman had not brought a steer to the ranch the previous day. In fact, s
uld he buy a steer?" she reflected. "Especially when we don't
ch. However, she asked both Lefty and Alkali if any new s
e if Blakeman says anything abou
le Blakeman gave her a quick, sharp glance, he said nothing about the steer. Connie was furt
n money or with mine?" Connie spec
had kept. The foreman had not been a good bookkeeper and i
it looks as if the ranch will not pay for itself on the present basis. My o
ys until the rodeo, and then a scant ten days before the six
prizes at the rodeo," she told herself
She thought the muscles weren't quite as sore as they had
dow when she heard hoofbeats in the cou
as if by magic and she rushed
!" Enid cried as she alighted and looped her lines ov
had cared enough to ride over to the ranch. At the same time s
Enid went on. "It will be too mean
y for lunch," Conni
. "I really shouldn't have come, on
nfusion as if she h
ike you to come here?"
stammer. "I can't explain, Connie, but Pop
Connie said quietly, alt
eo," Enid declared hastily. "I'
r friend, she sprang into the
ht shrewdly. "One would think I might be a brand of poison! Th
yard when Forest Blakeman strode
id Bradshaw?" h
es
want to
she forgot to
s later Connie saw him ride away down the road. It occurred to her as she watched the
cided impulsively. "It may be a sneaking trick
in pursuit of Blakeman, taking care to keep a long distance behind him.
ething of the sort," the girl thought. "But si
for she did not wish the foreman to
e saw his mare tied up in front of the pool hall. Connie had no errands to
her after he had examined her shoulder. "But I
doctor," lau
ened her speed as she saw Forest Blakeman just ahead of her. He was e
had tied Silvertail on a side street, the foreman might see the horse. Then of course he
bumped squarely into a heavy-set man who was comin
o, Pop!" s
ponded the old
indow. Forest Blakeman was nowhere in sight so she knew that he must have stepped into on
ch other by appointment," Connie mused. "
ing herself in a booth adjoining the one occupied by the two
" Blakeman said distinctly although in a low
id. I'm only sayin' it goes agin' my grain to play it on the boys thet way
n. She leaned closer to the wall so
hat old horned rhinoceros of yours out of the show. You agreed and took the money and now you're cryin' a
, I reckon. I'm ready and
ck! Oh, no you don't! Where
eplied the rancher. "He's
id the foreman. "Deliver Nate's steer to the rodeo barns
o more. Quietly she sli