Part 16 (2/2)
Bellmore one day, when he and Dave had come in from a little round-up. ”It won't do to wait any longer. My people will be wondering why I am taking such a long vacation.”
”They know you were hurt; don't they?” asked Dave.
”Oh, yes, but I'm practically well again.”
”What are your plans?”
”I must see if I can get some concerted action in forming an irrigation company. I think I shall talk to Mr. Molick, even if his son and you are not on friendly terms.”
”Oh, don't let that stand in the way of business,” Dave said, heartily.
”I hope you won't misunderstand my motives,” said the water agent.
”Not at all.”
It was a few days after this that Pocus Pete, coming in from a distant part of the range, said to Dave and Mr. Carson.
”I see they're putting up some new fences along the river on the Centre O ranch.”
”Is that so?” asked Mr. Carson. ”That's news to me, I wonder what that means?”
”Perhaps I can tell you,” said Mr. Bellmore. ”I have made some arrangements with Mr. Molick about water rights. He is going into the irrigation scheme with me. I really need him, as he owns certain patents in the water course. I meant to mention it to you, but it slipped my mind.”
”So you are going in with Molick?” asked Mr. Carson, in a curious tone of voice.
”Yes. Is there any objection?”
”Well, I don't know but what there is,” was the reply of the ranch owner.
”Sit down, and I'll tell you a few things you ought to know, Mr.
Bellmore.”
CHAPTER XIV
A WARNING
Dave, who had heard what was said between Mr. Bellmore and the ranch owner listened with interest and expectation to what would come next. There was an odd manner about the proprietor of Bar U--a sort of constraint, and Dave fancied there was a little feeling, almost of hostility toward the man he had rescued from such a perilous position.
Up to now Mr. Bellmore had enjoyed to the utmost the hospitality of Bar U ranch. Mr. Bellmore had been made very welcome, and he had had every care and attention while unable to use his injured foot. Now it seemed that a spirit of hostility had cropped out.
”Before I go on to say what I intend to-to give you a warning in other words,” said Mr. Carson, ”let me ask you, Mr. Bellmore if you know why Molick is putting up new fences along the water course? I'd like to know the reason for that before I give you my warning.”
”A warning!” exclaimed the irrigation man, and there was evident surprise manifested in his tone.
”Yes, a warning,” repeated the ranch owner. ”But please do not mistake my meaning. I'm not warning you of any threatened danger, but only of being careful what business dealings you have with Jason Molick, or any of his men.”
”Oh, I thought you meant you were going to warn me to move on,” and Dave fancied his friend laughed with an air of relief.
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