Smyrna times., 1905-04-26

"O"4u say les. She wondered
If he would.
Ii they were only not going tomor
row; If only there were not home and
her father and Rodney-of course
Rodney. She almost laughed out loud
to think all at once how comnletelv
he had gone out of her life the last
week. And 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. If 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 a girl was shoo-
ing them away from "a struggling
fringe Of red geraniums that grew
around the stoop. She came toward
them smilingly. Lady FATTY 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 a washout down in
the gulch. He wants some of the bows
to help him fix up the trail. Want to
rest up bit and waltz"
Allison said NO" he would ride on
a. little and see if 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 it wasn't
dark yet. But Bob knows the way.
He comes up here so often"
II 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 coloring
Of childhood. HE seems to be a 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
as Bob comes to the point"
HAS he" - Lady Kitty hesitated
delicately-"has he asked youY"
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 a sight
Of Bob he'll let us get married"
Allison came up the path among the
pines.
Its all right" he called. "We'H
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 go
over into Arizona"
''I'm going too" Allison's tone was
quiet and decisive.
Lady Kitty smiled and reached for a
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.
81 am glad the major secured you.
We are really such a lot of innocents
astray in these parts that you will be
welcome"
IL am not acting as guide to stray
ing innocents. 1 am going after you"
Lady Kitty's eyebrows lifted. She
did not meet his gaze, however. She
knew her limitations.
''It is very kind of you, I'm sure, but
1 don't believe l would If 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
ish in its hardened pain.
II ought to say I'm sorry" he said al
last, "but I'm not. 1t was your fault
| lOO 1Ou OuEnl " NuAAg 0ehSOA oA6
nails If you don't want wrecks along
your track"
keep off the track" she laughed
"There are no wrecks up on Red noun
tain"
His face softened. When they fount
the trail again and started the ponie:
toward Lost Moon at faster gait h'
said one word:
Thanks"
They rode on in silence, Lady Kitty
ahead. She did not trust herself t.
speak, not with the memory Of the gir
in red calico fresh in mind and the fac
Of Allison few feet behind. He wal
riding with loose bride, chin up, hi
hat low over his eyes, and Lady Kit!
sighed as she thought of Rodney. Sh'
almost hoped that she had returned
the kiss.