Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Horse Among The Cowboys; Or, The League Of The Plains — page 9: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

AT TIE “That is strange “Powerful queer, for a fact.” “1 should say so, Was no effort made | to find him P” “Oh, yes; some said he'd gone east, and others, the majority, I opine, laid it to the league that he was killed and his body done aiway with.” “ Horrible !” “T reckon so. Major Vose, he had taken a liking, to the lad, an’ so had the major’s pooty daughter Helen, an’ they did everything they could to find out about him. Thar’s unkimmun strained relations between these two ranches, and we're about on shootin’ terms with ther boys over to ther Star. I’ve heern tell that Sid Buxton an’ Al Durgin, the highcockalorums over there, hev said they will level Comfort Ranch yit. But we're ready for ’em.” All this was interesting news to Frank Reade, jun. “Well,” he said, “I thank you kindly for all this information. And now I would like to tell you who I am, and what I am here for.” “ Waal, we won't refuse to listen to ye, cap’n.” “Tom Frank Reade, jun., and I am in this region to find Arthur Bentley, if alive, if not, to hunt down his mur- derer.”’ “That's it, eh? “Yes.” “Put it thar.” Both of the plainsmen gripped the young inventor’s hand. | «We want to see the major at once,” cried one of them. “ He can give ye the information ye want, an’ he'll help ye, be sure of it.” | ‘“T would like to see him.” The two cowboys swung the stockade gates wider Open. “A striking scene was revealed beyond them. Po the right was an inclosure of several acres, devoted to cattle pens and sheep yards. ; To the left was a scene of great beauty. A small creek flowed through the inclo- sure, and upon its banks were many trees of all varieties. Among these trees was a house built wholly of adobe bricks, with wide, ram- bling piazzas. A. broad, well kept lawn extended down - to the waters of the creek. COMFORT RANCH, 7? f | walks, shrubbery, and beds of rich exotic This was diversified with well gravelled plants. It was a little gem of exquisite beauty set inthe dreary sameness of the plain, a relief to the eye and an object of reposeful charm. With 3 One would hardly have looked for such a dwelling in this wild, out of the way part of the world. it is customary to associate a Texas ranch with rough and dirty surroundings, a concourse of snarling dogs, vicious mustangs and villainous greasers. But the fifty odd cowboys who belonged to Comfort Ranch, as Major Vose had named the place, were of a | vastly better class than the average. As Frank was escorted up the gravelled walk to the piazza of the house he was impressed with all this. The cowboy with him seemed to divine his thougnts, for he said with a queer smile. “Vo'll find it very much different from this up at the Star, sir.” Ae) “JT have no doubt of it,” replied the young inventor. . “Ah, here comes “They have been riding, as ye'll see.” ' Up the gravelled path came two hand- AY tall, military-looking man with grey side, ~ some horses of the English pattern. whiskers rode one. Upon the back of the other sat a — young girl of such charming grace and rare beauty of feature as Frank thought — | he had never seen before. | sreat politeness. '” Both Major Vose and Helen bowed and then dismounted, and the ‘former. : said the — callant colonel, as Frank introduced him-) 7 ; 4 ay ‘. ‘\ advanced to meet Frank. “Tam glad to meot you,” self. ‘You are very welcome to Comfort Ranch. So you are from. the east, and come here to look for Arthur Bentley ?” The colonel here brushed moisture from, > his eyes, while the young lady turned deadly ‘pale. “T hope you'll sueceed, and myself and all I have is at your disposal.” ‘i “ A thousand thanks,” replied Frank. “TJ shall hope to succeed.” A sharp convulsive ery escaped the ~ white lips of Helen Vose. She came clown | the piazza steps. 66 . ? Oh, sir! tiga ‘+ * ” "7 ‘ J . 7 J ,¥ t Tr. ' ‘ : ‘ = Sor ' | ¥ . : ® , « Mi oer oe Ge : ¥ | j ‘ ' f ' 7 Vv ‘% wy, aos 5 A a . Mud . RaW rag ‘ . ; ~\* JA ~ tho AT *. life tnt ty f . . [" the major and Miss _ Helen now !” exclaimed the gate-keeper. | The young inventor doffed his cap with — , : Vit - hes 5 , J Bast “a ’ bt Ss ee Yop fh ay a A eAvit ar she exclaimed,with beautiful micbooks.c Jt ee « ‘ <= oJ a >. . — -” — » - . _— - a . pg eS »-f — ie te ” ms - a : <= ; is . od eo, a. . is ~ - 3 ——_ ~_ i. * —ne . : —e = 78 - > a se tl = at gee a a est he eet 4 _— > st oe - “ero « Lie — i= = are 2 > — doe 2 pin 4 aA == woe . % = ee, am oe om c _ 4a ee i pt <A ety 4 pee as ~ oe. ; 8 ee Fr TS ae de ~ - , ; T - i ‘ o~ sw > - Z — ” - . oe | - ot, ——~ = _ ~— > == . a = =" - " - ~, . i= 7 _ <<. le Eo ~~ ~. . Set ge ys ? - ~- om + -5 —— ‘ — . _— mes 3° tr Tors =e ee ~~ ae a. ae “ ee ee oe we Oe = = : - oe . ve ‘ \ \ fi -_>. A Ape: re, a : Agel. } Lvs a. ‘91 . - 4 . 7 ‘ 4 : ’ s tre ely "a } * : be ye - ; Ve, } — Ys if A 7) oe hull . 1 Ne pba tine ue x's iM f , as, ~" ata ie ow SSD. ty Baty ) df