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Show Page 19 "Yours?" exclaimed the cowboy in disbelief. "She's got the Middlesex brand on her." Of course Roark, a foreman for the Middlesex Company, was within his rights when he took the calf, since she bore only that company's brand. And despite Ann's passionate claim of ownership he refused to let Ann take Dixie Burr. "Why not let her take the calf and settle the ownership later," suggested Joe Martin. "It's obvious the calf and the girl know each other." That touched off fireworks. "You meddler! Who asked for your advice?" shouted Roark, going for his gun. But Joe Martin was faster and beat the foreman to the draw, Joe calmly took away Roark's gun and laid it aside. "If it's a fight you want, you'll get it," he told Roark. Soon the two men were pummeling each other with fast, furious blows. "Give it to him Joe!" cheered Ann. "That'll teach him to beat my Dixie Burr!" In a short time Roark was lying in the dust. When Ann saw the man who she believed to be the meanest of brutes down in the dirt, she saw her chance to get even. Jumping off her horse, she started giving Roark what-for with the toe of her boot, kicking him as hard as she could. Joe grabbed her by the arm. "Shame on you Ann, that's cowardly," he scolded. "Don't you know you should never jump on a man when he's down?" |