Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1905-07-07

to think all at once how completely
be had gone out of her life the last
week. Aud they were to be married In
Easter week next spring. Poor old
Rodney! She looked at the figure
ahead on the black pony and sighed
happily. II only he would talk to her.
They turned a bend In the path and
faced a small mountain cabin. Some
chickens and pigeons wandered
haughtily about. and girl was shoo-
Ing them away from a struggling
fringe of red geraniums that grew
around the stoop. She came toward
them smllingly. Lady Kitty thought
she had never seen such honest, trust
ing eyes before except In deer. She
looked up at Allison.
!. Hello, Bob! Them chickens are
Just terrible. No. dads gone over to
the ranch. There's washout down In
the gulch. He wants some Of the boys
to help him fix up the trail. Want to
rest up a bit and waltz
Allison said NO" he would ride on
a 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.
Pm always afraid of wHshOuts."
she said confdentially. what IL 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 the
pretty dimpled face that had not yet
lost the roundness or dainty colorlng
Of childhood. He seems to be very
interesting young man."
"Yes, Bob's nice" Dimple spoke
simply. with an air of peaceful owner
ship. II guess we'll get married soon
as Bob comes to the point"
"Has he" Lady Kitty hesitated
delicately-"has he asked your"
Dimple's eyes opened In surprise.
"Why, no, not point blank, but
we've been going together over
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.
Its all right" he called. Wen
make the ranch before dark. Goodby.
Dimple."
BY. Bob" Her glance followed
him wistfully. BE up tonight"
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 60
over into Arizona"
Pm going too Allison's tone was
quiet and decisive.
Lady Kitty smiled and reached for
leaf off the bOugh that brushed her
face.
Are you, indeed? AS guide?"
a dull flush crept up under the sun
burn. Lady Kitty followed up her ad-
vantage.
Il am glad the major secured you.
We are really such lot Of innocents
astray in these parts that you will be
welcome"
81 am not acting as guide to stray
ing innocents. am going after you"
Lady Kltty's eyebrows lifted. She
did not meet his gaze. however. She
knew her limitations.
at is very kind Of you. I'm sure. but
I don't believe l would IL / were you.
We sail for home in November, and I
am to be married next spring. Even
if"-her voice was suspiciously gay
and clear-"even IL 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
ish in Its hardened pain.
II 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 II you don't want wrecks along
your track"
keep off the track" she laughed.
There are no wrecks up on Redbmoun-
tain"
His face softened. When they found
the trail again and started the ponies
toward Lost Moon at a 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