Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-04-27
No. H..

the ranch. There's washout down IN
the gulch. He wants some Of tho boys
to help him fix up the trail. Want to
rest up bit and waitT'
Allison said NO" he would ride on
u little and see IL the path was safe
down Booty's side of the mountain.
This is Miss Booty, Lady Kitty"
he added as he rode away.
Dimple Booty watched until the
pines hid him.
I'm always afraid Of washouts,"
she said confidentially. what If you
and Bob had ridden plumb into the
gulch. You would, too. only 1t wasn't
dark yet. But Bob knows the way.
He comes up here so often"
Il suppose he does" Lady Kitty
looked thoughtfully down at the slim
figure in the red calico dress, at tho
pretty dimpled face that had not yet
lost the roundness or dainty coloring
Of childhood. He seems to be very
interesting young man."
"Yes, Bob's nice" Dimple spoke
simply, with an air of peaceful owner
ship. Il guess we'll get married soon
10 ASOO NOAhCo " AhC ROAht-
Has he" Lady Kitty hesitated
delicately-"bas he asked your"
Dimple's eyes opened In surprise
why, no. not point blank, but
we've been going together over q
year. I'm seventeen. Dad says that's
kind Of young, but think such sight
of Bob he'll let us get married"
Allison came up the path among the
pines.
'It's all right he called. wen
make the ranch before dark. Goodby,
Dimple."
by. Bob" Her glance followed
him wistfully. BE up tonightT
Maybe" Allison did not turn
around When the cabin was out OF
sight he spoke.
You are going up to the canyon to-
morrow, aren't your
"As far as the springs: then we go
over into Arizona"
I'm going too" Allison's tone was
quiet and decisive.
Lady Kitty smiled and reached for Q
leaf off the bough that brushed her
face.
"Are you, indeedp As guide7"
A dull flush crept up under the sum
burn. Lady Kitty followed up her ad-
vantage
Il am glad the major secured you.
We are really such a lot of innocents
astray In these parts that you will bo
welcome"
81 am not acting as guide to stray
ing innocents. / am going after you"
Lady Kitty's eyebrows lifted. She
did not meet his gaze, however. She
knew her limitations.
1T Is very kind Of you, I'm sure, but
I don't believe I would IL 1 were you.
We sail for home in November, and
am to be married next spring. Even
if'-her voice was suspiciously gay
and clear-"even If one does forget
sometimes in this wonderland, after all,
ones ain countree is best, you know"
He stared at her in dawning knowl
edge, and his face was pitifully boy
fish in its hardened pain.
''I ought to say I'm sorry," he said at
last, "but I'm not. 1t was your fault
too. You ought to carry danger sig
mails IL you don't want wrecks along
your track"
Keep or the track" she laughed.
''There are no wrecks up on Red noun
tain"
Els face softened. When they found
the trail again and started the ponies
toward Lost Moon at faster gait he
said one word:
Thanks"
They rode on in silence, Lady Kitty
ahead. She did not trust herself to
speak, not with the memory Of the girl
In red calico fresh in mind and the face
Of Allison a few feet behind. He was
riding with loose bride, chin up, his
hat low over his eyes, and Lady Kitty
sighed as she thought Of Rodney. She
almost hoped that she had returned
the kiss.