Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-05-25

ell a vein that will make us bothsz1cn.-
There was no tremor. or doubt in his
tone.
ooh, I'm so gladw she cried out, with
unaffected pleasure. "Now Mrs. Kelly
can go to live in the valley"
.Neyer mind the Kellys now" he
cried out impatiently. Il have a great
deal to say to you, and want to say
it here. I'm going to try and win you."
His manner was exultant, his voice
tense with passion. II am bold to reck-
Iessness today
He had never been humble. Now he
rose above her, masterful, an avowed
lover, and his eyes burning down into
hers made her shrink and SILVER as If
from cold.
He misread the movement. "Are you
warm enough?" he asked tenderly. II
hope you are, for want to tell you
explain to you-why I am here. Let
us sit here" He indicated a fat rock.
.0This is our only opportunity. No one
will know-no one can see us. Will
you listen?"
81 will listen," she said quietly and
took a seat, drawing her cloak about
her.
He took a seat little In front, so
that he could see her face, which was
radiant as a rose In the mist. i've
been trying to write you letter ever
since YOU came. / wanted to set my
self right with you on Louis account.
| love the lad, and wanted you to
know that was trying to do him
good"
81 know that. trust you now"
.That assurance is sweet to me, but
want to tell you now that the only
mystery In my life is this: am
West Point Cadet mean, vas
Were you, realIyY" She looked at
him with such unmistakable relief and
gladness that he faltered.
"Walt. was only there two years.
was court martialed for breach or
discipline and gross insnbOrdination at
the beginning Of my third year."
He fastened on. You mustn't judge
me hastily. 1t came on my return aft
er furlough. That's the time when the
routine and discipline pinch hardest
Oh the men. After two years Of grind
that | hated had visit home-a de-
licious free, time-and to get back into
school, back into those cold, gray bar
racks. was like going into strait
Jacket. The first few weeks after the
vacation are times Of disorder, period
of boyish deviltry, and took my share
in it. My breach Of discipline was
nothing more than q boys frolic. /
should have been punished for 1t, and
that would have ended it, but hated
one of the officers, the disciplinarian,
and when lie rounded me up he rasped
me till l lost my head. Being quick
tempered youth, ! answered him. He
abused me shamefully, and | struck
him in the face, and that ended my
stay at West Point"
"Oh, how foolish! How wrong"
"No, it was not wrong. l would do
it again. The small sneak used tone
In addressing me which no man has a
right to use to another. You wouldn't
suppose tone could hurt, but 1t did.
1t cut like lash. Well, that ended
my career as a soldier. My home was
on the Ohio river, not far from Cincin-
natl, and my family still lives there.
Our whole country is rich in traditions
of General Grant, and my father had
selected me out of all his sons to be
the soldier Of his family. You know
how some men try to map their sons
careers. Don't you see, / couldn't 60
home" -
"Yes, l can see it was hard for your
father. Was your mother livingT'
Eyes, SHE'S living yet. | write her
every week, but not one word has
passed between my. father and me
since my dismissal. Naturally enough,
drifted west and into cattle ranching.
liked the excitement Of it, and Ia
been trained to ride and to shoot.
gradually became cow boss and fore
man, and so you found me, with a few
thousand dollars saved up. Your COM
ing changed every current in my life.
l became ambitious to do something,
to be rich. came here, / bought this
mine, and there shines my gOld.' He
held it toward her again. "NOw 1 can
20 home. My court martial becomes
joke. Don't you see? My father is
human. He would not receive me poor
and disgraced. With big mine behind
me the case will be different
"Are we all purchasable with goldT'
she asked.
His high mood sank little. Don't
misjudge me. It's not so clear In my
mind as when met you at the door.
Money does help-you know 1t does.
It extends a mans power; 1t makes
him effective for good, If good is In
him. I was a rancher when you met
me; we stood in different relation
from that which we occupy now. Isn't
that trueW
eyes," she slowly answered, "but 1t
isn't because of your mine."
"What is it because OFF,"
at is because you have been kind
and considerable Of my brother"
He looked disappointed. "Is that all!
1 hoped you liked me for myself"
81 do--like you," she answered.
"Can you not love me?'
"Do not press me-" She spoke sharp
", II flash of resentment In her eyes.
II didn't intend to do So" he humDiy
replied. 81 fear I've made mess OF 1t,
just as / have with all the rest OF my
life. But this morning when we I'M
covered that vein it seemed as though