WHEN THE SCHOOL-MOM ARRIVED SPPPSddddddbddd dd dd (@ by D. J. Walsh.) Bd b PPh bir 4 T WAS shortly past noon when Joe Posson drove by the big blow-out, Glanclug at his watch he saw that he had scant time in which to veach Crystal City and bank the money his employer had entrusted to him before he must meet the train The new school-mom whom Missus Fanning had selected for the Big Ar royo district was coming In on the local and must be conveyed with care to the Fanning ranch. Joe felt deeply the importance of his two commissions, but his sense ol pleasant self-gratulation cooled as he saw another outfit approaching. “Old Man Sile Robbins to himself, The circumstance At their last meeting Sile a thrashing and said buckskins ‘em,” Raines’ handlin’ he wus untoward. Joe had prom: ised and he saw clearly that he would have no time for it now, “Just my Inck,” he muttered. “But I've got to attend to business even if { have to postpone the pleasure of tickin' Siles.” And he sighed because Wf a wasted opportunity—a sigh which was nipped short by a spreading smile For Le now saw that Sile ucked in under ff surprise. was not alone, T his shoulder was like an against the barren overripeness of the fall Only young wonun would wear a hat like : Where had Old Sile picked her up, and where was he for? As the distance see that the soung but pretty all taken te would be, nifty looking in that hulking, gums! Not that ired. Ther ‘one girl in the world for him was Dolly Bindi carried with hin Ww HOSE tooked little prairie, headed Joe woman fod and that Sile seemed up with her, Of course But what could little ploce of lessened could wis only to be such fA calico see § Jae 1 the Sile's way enough fess inn The Ra ide tle Fam nes mation frop dering gauze, rected at from unde tittle hat “Are you really Mr quired a sweet volce oming te awet me?’ Meet her! Creat crow! Could this be the school-mom? And Old Sile had Possem?” in “And were you her! Joe's jaw dropped and he burned with fresh “This is Miss Lucy Dow, le patron Joe swept off were fu of name was Lucey but he had from the resentment. Joe." said <1 Si 3 his hat, but ire The school mom Kine impression frow us Le ived letters he hind Fanning read she would be plain and middle-nged Ww Well, rece the heard Missus that both “You see,” the girl explained, as she bark a st! com hair, “1 hetter connec than | When | ar Crystal I don't Know for Mr Robbins me lunch" Joe snorted At Wes Howley's Md cbuck wagon! “And he of fered to take me to my destination ut now that we have met, Mr. Pos on.” turned earne