Page:Caroline Lockhart--The Fighting Shepherdess.djvu/53

 It makes me feel cur'ous, hearin' you say it — like they was somethin in it."

Mormon Joe smiled quizzically but made no comment, perhaps he suspected that the privilege of touching fingers with Miss Maggie Taylor while waiting for the spirits to " take Holt " had as much to do with Teeters' interest in the unseen world as the messages he received from it. He asked:

" You remember what I said at the Boosters' Club the other night? " " I ain't apt to fergit it anyways soon," replied Teeters, dryly, " seein' as 'Tinhorn' riz and put it to a vote as to whether they should tar and feather you or jest naturally freeze you out."

" The truth is acid," he laughed. " It's a fact though, Teeters, that this country's chief asset is its climate, and," with his quizzical smile, " this Scissor Outfit would make a fine dude-ranch."

Kate did not tell Mormon Joe of her invitation until the sheep were bedded for the night, the supper dishes out of the way and they were sitting, as was their custom, on two boxes watching the stars and talking while Mormon Joe smoked his pipe.

" Our company this morning made me forget to tell you how well you handled the gate ; it was a clean cut." Mormon Joe added in obvious pride, " You're the best sheep-man in the country, Katie, bar none."

" Then I wish you'd listen to me and buy some of those Rambouillets and grade up our herd."

We're doing all right," he returned, indifferently. "Anybody would know you didn't like sheep."

" They're a means to an end; they keep me in the hills out of mischief and furnish a living for us both."