Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-05-01

that what was a mere evenings diversion
to him might be something infinitely
more serious to lonely girl on almost a
Western desert. He took his hand from
her waist and m owed away little.
"No," he answered frankly, "only
that you are pretty-and 1 didn't think
you'd mind"
81 didn't mind" answered Bess, sand
| wouldn't mind if thought you cared
for me. In fact, she added, with alarm.
ing candor, II would like it il | were
sure you were not making fun of me-"
The lieutenant was silent.
"Tell me-" she said, clasping his hand
excitedly, "if should do something
that would be a great benefit to you
would you think more of me-would you
love me2"
-"No," he answered quickly, standing
up and looking at her little curiously.
"You are too serious. | want to be fair.
Tnc fact is, am engaged-to young
lady in New York. We are gong to be
married in year or two, when l get
more pay. Aud perhaps sooner. II ]
cou!d.only do something to distinguish
myself, you know. Her father has
enough influence to get me promoted to
the staff or something like that, SO we
could live in the East and have more
pay. Perhaps l owe you an apology
She was clutching the rough edges OF
the rock.
''Is she very beautiful" she asked.
81 think so," he answered. "See,
here is a picture of her. You can see
what she looks like in the moonlight" :"
She looked at the photog raph long
time.
"Does she always dress like that2"
she asked.
"No," he answered laughingly.
"That is ball dress-an eve ming dress.
1t would hardly do for her to 90 out
doors in dress like that. She might
catch cold. But she is just as pretty in
other dresses; and l love her very
much"
Bess handed back the photograph and
looked for long time at the yellow
trail. She had to bite her lip to rep-ess
a sigh, but she had been too long alone
and friendless to lose her self. control.
"Look here," she suddenly asked,
"if you were to catch these Indians,
would that be what you wanted to do to
be able to get your promotion and marry
herr"
'I should say it would" he answered
bitterly. "But that isn't my luck"
"Itis! it isl" she cried, falling upon
her knees by the trail. "Sec, give her
to you. See there-and there
there Those are pony tracks! See
here" She held up to him the thing
she had picked up when he was mock
ingly polite. "It is the lash of an In-
dian quirt-worn through. They are
riding hard and their horses are tired.
They were in hurry to get by here
without being discovered by you, or
they would have stopped to pick it up.
Run, run, tell you! l can read the
trail better than you or any of your men.
You can catch them before morning |
RUM
He had started before she had finished,
and was bounding up the trail with long,
athletic strides, leaving her alone on her
knees at the intersection of the trails.
She was still there when the troop
rode silently by with the anxious but
silent young lieutenant at its head. He
bowed to her as lie passed, but she did
not see him. After the last pack mule
had passed out of sight down the valley,
she rose and walked slowly up the noun
tain.
~ wa: very foolish" she said. "He
has known her II long time, and he never
saw me before. Besides, she wears silk
dresses and is rich. But that should not
make any difference in love. He kissed
me! Why should he kiss me if he did
not care for meG 1t is queer. She is a
great lady, and II
She burst into tears and cried for a
long time as she sat on the yellow trail
at the top of the hill. 1t was far into
the night when she arose to go. She
heard, far off in the distance, through
the clear air, the faint popping of car
bines and rifles.
"I have given her to him." she NUT
tered, as she made her way uncertainty
to the ranch. "She is lady aud wears
silk; and she will never know about me,
for lie will be ashamed to tell her; and
and l am going to ask Father Jose,
when he comes here next year with his
little Mexicln donkeys and his candles
and his white robes, why it is that God
has never sent any one to love me. y
The Ledger.