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Show romantic cowBoy. f-p prepared, she fell when her mount plunged downward. When Shirley opened her eye dusk hid fallen. She was lying on a comfortable bed of boughs. Ruth was talking to Lon Dexter a few feet away. "I should think you would have known better than to push on like that" Ruth's face was distressed. "Oh, Shirley, I'm to sorry. Lon we should have known better. You've sprained an ankle, but it will mend. In no time." "I'm hungry as a bear, Ruth." "Of course. You poor kid." Ruth moved away toward the fire, and out of the corner of her eye Shirley saw Lon Dexter watching her. "I wanted to say, miss, how sorry I am." He paused, as if em- -pHE WEEK that Shirley Mason 1 fpent at Ruth Hastings "Dude" nch in northern Montana, was Uke chapter from a fairy story. Scrtly, Shirley hoped that she wuuld o.eot one of those gallant tory book cowboys. She thought for certain she had Coiuid her dashing hero when Ruth lotioduced her to Lon Dexter, her father's foreman. "If." Ruth told Shirley, gaily, "you have designs on Lon, I'd advise ad-vise discontinuing your campaign at once. Every girl I've ever had out hare has fallen for him. But Lon Is a woman hater." "Lon has only one passion," Ruth confided. "You'll never guess what it is." She paused, beaming. "Treasure! He loves to go treasure treas-ure hunting. "There's a legend here which barrassed. "You see well, it was my fault. I knew you were tired, but I kept going. Wanted to see if you were like the rest." He hesitated hesi-tated again, then rushed on. "I'm mighty proud to. know you, miss. You didn't complain once. Not even when you fell. You're well, different. I'd shore like to know you better. Shirley gestured carelessly. "There was no reason to complain, com-plain, Mr. Dexter. As for feeling sorry for me you can set your mind at ease." Lon twisted his hat. "But you didn't answer my question, Miss. About knowing you better?" Shirley arched her brows. "But can you really spare the time, Mr. Dexter? After all, this treasure hunseems to occupy most of your time and waking moments." Lon looked deep into Shirley's eyes. "Miss Shirley," he said, "I reckon that I've done found that treasure I've been looking tor all these years." concerns a band of outlaws. They sre supposed to have ridden their loot after holding up a mall train." "How exciting!" Shirley cried. "Let's organize a treasure hunt. "We always do when we have guests. We have one planned for tomorrow. Lon and some of the boys will go with us." Ruth's treasure hunt began early next morning. The small cavalcade, caval-cade, consisting of Shirley, Ruth, her sister, Grace, Lon Dexter and two other cowboys, left shortly after sunup. Shirley made it a point to avoid Lon Dexter. At noon when they stopped for lunch she ignored him entirely. Shortly after noon they entered the hills. Travel became more difficult. dif-ficult. It was Shirley's weariness and her resolution not to complain that brought about the catastrophe. Her wearied brain failed to register a sharp pitch in the trail ahead: Un- |