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runnin' herself. But if _you_ say you're runnin' things, that makes it a whole lot different. We ain't buckin' 'Drag' Harlan's game." "Thank you," grinned Harlan. "I saw you reportin' to Miss Morgan. You're straw-boss, I reckon." "You've hit it. I'm Stroud--Lafe Stroud." "You'll keep on bein' straw-boss," said Harlan, shortly. "I'm appointin' a foreman." "Where's Lawson?" It was Stroud who spoke. There was a shadow of disappointment in his eyes. "Lawson won't be needin' a title any more," said Harlan, narrowing his eyes at the other. "He needs plantin'. Soon as we get set some of you boys can go over an' take care of him. You'll find him in the harness shop. He busted down the door of Miss Barbara's room last night, an' she made a colander out of him." Harlan ignored the effect of his news on the men, fixing his gaze on the short man who had spoken first, and who was now standing silent, in an attitude that hinted of dejection. "You'll be foreman, Linton," he stated shortly. Linton, who had been glumly listening, was so startled by the sudden descent upon his shoulders of the mantle of authority that he straightened with a snap and grabbed wildly at his hat--which dropped from his head despite his effort to clutch it, revealing a mop of fiery red hair. When he straightened, after recovering the hat, his freckled face was crimson with embarrassment and astonishment. "I'm obliged to you," he mumbled. That had ended it. The following morning Linton came to Harlan for orders, and a little later the entire outfit, headed by Stroud, and trailed by the chuck-wagon and the horses of the _remuda_, started southward to a distant section of the big level, leaving Linton and Harlan at the ranchhouse. And as the outfit faded into the southern distance, Harlan, walking near the larger of the two bunkhouses, came upon Linton. Harlan grinned when he saw the other. "You didn't go with the outfit, Red?" he said. "Seems a foreman ought to be mighty eager to be with his men on their first trip after he's appointed." Linton's face was pale, his gaze was direct. "Look here, Harlan," he said, steadily. "I've knowed you a long time, an' I know that you're a damn' sight straighter than a lot of men which has got reputations better than yourn. But there's some things want explainin'. I've sort of took a shine to that little girl in there. There's things brewin' which is goin' to make it mighty bad for her. I
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