The Boy from the Ranch Part 31

After a hearing the swindlers and Annister, the rascally real estate agent, were sent to jail, in default of bail, there to await trial on several charges.

Eventually they were sent to prison for long terms.

"Well, you saved your father's building for him," remarked Mr. Ketchum to Roy, a few days later.

"Do you really think Annister could have gotten it into his possession?"

"He could, under the law. Of course we might have contested it, but it would have been a long and expensive proceeding. He would have had a tax deed to it, and that is considered pretty good. Your father can be proud of you. What are you going to do now?"

"Go back to the ranch, I guess. I've done all dad told me to, except get a good man to look after the property. Perhaps you can suggest some one?"

"I think I can arrange that without difficulty."

"Then I wish you would. I know my father would be glad to have you."

This was done a few days later, and Mr. Bradner was informed, by telegraph, of what had transpired. He could now be sure of getting all the rent money from the Bleeker Building. Little was ever recovered of the money that Mr. Annister had unlawfully retained, for his property was so tied up that the law could not touch it.

"Now, since your business is all attended to, why can't you stay in New York a few weeks longer, and see more of the sights?" proposed Mortimer De Royster to the boy from the ranch.

"I think I will," decided Roy.

"Besides, you have still a visit to make."

"A visit?"

"Exactly. You must call on that lady of the runaway."

"Oh! I reckon she has forgotten me," answered the boy from the ranch.

But he had not been forgotten, as a visit to the lady's home quickly proved. He was royally entertained, and the lady's husband insisted upon presenting him with a ruby scarf pin, doing so in the names of both his wife and his little daughter.

"And now you've got to make me a promise," said Roy to Mortimer De Royster, when the boy from the ranch was ready to go home.

"All right, Roy, anything you say goes."

"You must visit our ranch soon. I'll show you the best time possible."

"I don't know what sort of a figure I'd cut on a ranch," answered the jewelry salesman, with a faint smile. "Don't forget how I got mixed up with those sharpers when I was out in your neighborhood."

"We haven't any sharpers at our ranch. If they came around where we were our cowboys would treat them pretty rough, I can tell you that.

I'd like to get you on one of our ponies and ride you across the ranges. You'd find it the best kind of outdoor exercise."

"I believe you there, Roy."

"Then you will come? I want you to meet my father. You'll soon get used to our style of living--just as I got used to city ways." And the boy from the ranch grinned as he thought of the experiences he had undergone.

"I'll come if I possibly can," answered Mortimer De Royster. Let me add here that he did come, during the following July, and he and Roy had many a good time together, hunting, fis.h.i.+ng, and rounding-up cattle.

It must be admitted that Roy was anxious to get home, to see his father and tell his parent the details of what had transpired. He found his father much improved, for which he was thankful.

"Roy, you did well--as well as any man could have done," said Mr.

Bradner. "I am proud of you." And his beaming face showed he meant what he said.

It was a happy reunion. The cowboys were also glad to have the boy among them again, and that night they held a sort of jollification, lighting a big bonfire and shooting off their firearms as if it was the Fourth of July. And here let us take our leave of The Boy from the Ranch.