The Owner of the Lazy D

"Stranger," said the girl suddenly, leaning ever so slightly toward the young man, "what may I call you?"

"Gilmore, ma'am--Dal Gilmore."

The man on the gate jumped to the ground and came forward to meet the pair on horseback. The girl slid from the saddle and waved a hand toward the dismounting Gilmore.

"This is Mr. Gilmore, Tom," she announced. "He's a friend of mine. Mr. Gilmore, my brother, Mr. Stuart."

The two young men shook hands. Even in the half light Gilmore could see that Tom Stuart greatly resembled his sister, and seemed to be of about the same age. He wondered if they were twins. Stuart was understood to say that he was glad to meet his sister's friend; after which he stood back and narrowly observed the friend as he stripped saddle and bridle and turned the dun into the corral.

Gilmore, from beneath a lowered hat-brim, perceive