The Washburn leader., 1907-03-15

side when they chugged away. drown
ing the noise Of the big white car that
was flying in the opposite direction.
.Why did you do it?" he questioned
after they had gone half mile n
silence.
Il wanted to-" sheSreplied.
"Wanted to quarrel with him?''
"Oh, MOI" with widening eyes.
"Wanted to ride with me-" he as
serted.
I'll hadn't thought about it." She
glanced up at him, and he met her pug.
zled expression with an Illuminating
look. "Yes," she said simply; II did," y
There was long silence. When they
had passed into quiet country road.
he spoke again. "Can't you tell me
more about it?"
"Oh, 1 forgot. Didn't you known"
"Well, should say not" \
"Fred-Mr. Hampton-is my f1ance.
Uncle's going back to India again, and.
you know, can't live in that climate.
and he didn't want to leave me alone,
and so-and so preparations are being
fastened for-for"-
"For your wedding" Boyd finished.
Then he stopped the machine. fused
over the feed tank for few minutes
and started on again.
They had gone only few rods when
there was an explosive sound. and the
machine stopped short. Boyd got out
looked under it and tinkered at it here
and there in desultory fashion.
"Guess we're stuck" he remarked as
he watched Naoma's face keenly. He
seemed satisfied with what he saw
there. "Shall we explore this messy
dell while we're waiting for tow?"
"By all means" She was on the
ground almost before he could help
her.
isn't this gloriousy' she cried after
they had walked short distance and
she placed her hand on Boyd's shoulder
as she jumped upon a low, fat rock.
Her eyes We're just on level with his.
As they looked at each other shadow
came over the happiness of her ex-
preston.
"rm afraid I've got you into trou-
ble," he suggested.
"Oh no." she replied wearily. ''We'n
make it up. We fall out periodically"
"Has there ever been man in the
case before?" He tried to make the
question seem careless.
"No"' A new intelligence came into
her eyes. She dropped her hand from
his shoulder.
do you want to make it up?"1 He
put the question calmly. quietly, but
something in his face made her hesi-
tate. made the bright color come into
her delicate cheeks.
"Ye".- She couldn't say it. "Now
Suddenly he swung her off the stone.
For an instant she rested in his arms,
and her face met his without shrinking.
AS they went back to the road she
looked up at him half reproachfully.
"Why did you stay away SO longY
Because couldn't have you"
Couldn't have me?"
Il couldn't ask you to marry beg
gar" &
She smiled Mdulgently. But how ~
1t different nowT'
"Oh. I've turned out about million
and half on that Arizona land deal
and few other irons I've had in the
fire for the last year or two"
They had reached the disabled auto
by the roadside.
All at once Naoma laughed gleefully.
''It's the first time ever saw ma
chine run itself out of the road before
it broke down."
Boyd's eyes had mischievous twin
kle. Didn't you realize that we'd
turned out? guess the things rested
up now. and we can so back" he con-
tinued as he helped her in.
When they had started, Naoma was
thoughtful. II shouldn't think you'dx
want wife that would turn man
down at the slightest excuse" she
unused.
Il shouldn't want her to do it more
than Oncp /" ho 1QuOhod