The Heart of Texas Ryan
Summary
In the ochre immensity of a mythic Lone Star prairie, Colonel William Ryan—part cattle baron, part weather-beaten patriarch—christens his only heir “Texas,” as though the very syllables could anchor a dynasty to the trembling soil. Years later, Jack Parker, a sun-scorched vagabond whose lone companions are a dust-caked photograph of the unseen Texas and a mustang he calls “Dream Girl,” rides into legend. While the heiress polishes her cosmopolitan polish back east, rustlers led by Antonio Moreno—saturnine, silver-spurred—braid corruption through the chaparral, abetted by “Dice” McAllister, a marshal whose badge is merely a mirror for his malice. Gun-smoke blooms in the Last Chance Saloon; Parker, framed, gallops across the Rio Grande, only to return beneath star-spangled fireworks that mirror his own vertiginous heart. Upon discovering that the flesh-and-blood Texas rivals her sepia illusion, Jack’s universe tilts. Moreno’s courtship curdles into captivity when the señorita rebuffs him; she is spirited away to saguaro-shadowed arroyos while Marion Smith, her wide-eyed confidante, races back to rally the ranch. Bargaining gold for breath, Parker barters Texas free, yet nobility convinces him he is unworthy of her horizon-wide gaze. Moreno’s vengeance, however, is a coiled serpent: Jack is captured again, condemned to die at dusk. Word gallops faster than hoofbeats; Texas commandeers a wheeled contraption of brass and gasoline, her veil whipping like a war-banner. She arrives amid the rifles’ gleam, flinging coins that clink against cupidity itself. The executioners become accountants; love, ledgered in bullion, buys one more sunrise. The cowpuncher and the namesake of the state collide in a clinch that feels like cartography finally consenting to legend.
Synopsis
Colonel William Ryan, a ranch owner, in the Lone Star State, has named his only daughter Texas. Jack Parker, a devil-may-care cowpuncher, loves only two things, one is his horse and the other a photograph of Texas Ryan, whom he has never seen. He has named his horse "Dream Girl" after the girl of the photograph. After several years in an eastern college, Texas return home. Her father is happy and she is idolized by the cowboys of the ranch. Antonio Moreno is the head of a band of cattle rustlers. His lieutenant, "Dice" McAllister, a former road agent, uses his office as marshal as a cloak for unlawful deeds. Moreno and McAllister have long plotted to secure Ryan's wealth, and Moreno resolves to pay court to the girl. In the "Last Chance" saloon and dance hall a shooting scrape occurs. Jack Parker, enemy of McAllister, is charged as being an accessory. Harsh words are exchanged and Parker overcomes McAllister in a desperate conflict, and then crosses the border until the disturbance blows over. He returns on the Fourth of July and proceeds to celebrate. Colonel Ryan and Texas meet him and Parker learns she is the girl of the photograph. Moreno and his gang, under pretense of friendship, visit the Ryan ranch during the round-up, and when Texas spurns the Mexican's offer of marriage, he threatens her, and is driven from the ranch. When Texas and her girlfriend, Marion Smith, are riding in the hills, they are seen by Moreno's men. Texas is pursued and made prisoner. Marion brings the news to Colonel Ryan. Jack Parker resolves to free the girl. By an offer of money, he persuades the bandits to free her. Moreno and McAllister rustle the Ryan cattle and are discovered by Parker. During a night of rain and wind he slips into the camp of the outlaws, takes Moreno a prisoner, and leaves a note telling McAllister of what he has done. When McAllister finds the note in the morning, he decides to leave the country. Moreno later makes his escape. Parker decides to go on the trail. He bids Texas farewell, telling her he is not worthy of her. As time passes Texas comes to understand that she loves the cowpuncher. Moreno continues his lawlessness. After a desperate conflict Parker is taken prisoner. Word is brought to Texas Ryan that he is to be shot that evening. The girl tells her father she believes the cattle thieves will spare Jack's life for money and starts in an automobile on her race with death. Moreno gloats over the revenge. The executioner awaits the order to fire. Just as Moreno is about to give the order, Texas arrives. The cupidity of the Mexican bandits is aroused by the gold, and the cowpuncher is freed and takes Texas into his arms.
