Page:Caroline Lockhart--The Fighting Shepherdess.djvu/273

 Life for Kate had resolved Itself into an unromantic routine—like extracting the last penny for her wool that was possible, shipping on favorable markets, acquiring advantageous leases, discharging incapable herders and hiring others, eliminating waste and unnecessary expenditures, studying range conditions against hard winters.

"Any mail for the herders?" Bowers asked, innocently, since she showed no disposition to give him her confidence farther.

He watched her intently as she sorted the mail, tossing him a paper finally from which he removed the wrapper with a certain eagerness. He peered into it with a secrecy that attracted her attention, and, looking at it hard, Kate recognized it as the publication of a matrimonial agency.

"Bowers, you surprise me!" She regarded him quizzically.

Bowers started guiltily.

"Aw—it's one they sent me," he said disparagingly—"jest a sample copy."

"Bowers, I think you're lying," she accused him good-humoredly. "Tell me the truth—didn't you send for it?"

He squirmed and colored.

"I did write to 'em—out of cur'osity."

"Don't forget that married men are not hired into this Outfit," she reminded him, smiling. "I'd be sorry to lose you."

"Gosh a'mighty!" he protested vigorously. "I ain't no use fer women!"

The subject seemed to interest him, however, for he continued with animation:

"They's always somethin' about 'em I don't like when I git to know 'em. I've knowed several real well—six