Page:The Cross Pull.pdf/64



ven though he held himself frigidly aloof from all men Flash was a prime favorite at the BarT ranch. He was a changed Flash; his former springy alertness had been replaced by a drooping, dispirited air of complete dejection. Moran had gone from his life—and life had lost its tang.

He could not know that Moran would either soon return or send for him; he only knew that he was gone, and the longing for him was like a sickness.

Flash was often missed for a time from the BarT. Later they found that he had been several times to Harmon’s cabin and had spent a few days at Dad Kinney’s camp. Thereafter when he was absent they knew he was at one of the places which he associated with Moran.

His handling of stock was a marvel of intelligence but it was a mere mechanical following out of the tasks Moran had taught him for he now found no joy in the work.