Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-11-12

herd was gone, and all was again quiet. Then followed a moment that was full of embarrassment. Keenly, Lounsbury looked from father to daughter, the one striving to assume an easy air, the other incapable of hid ing alarm. All at once he felt certain they shared old Michael's informa- tion. He determined to tell them that he, too, knew what and whom they feared.
 Expecting some one, Miss Dallas" he asked tentatively.
 The section boss hastened to answer. "Expectin' nothin'," he snapped. Then, to cut short any further questioning, Dallas, y clean forgot them mules t'day. Lawd help us, y goin' t let 'em starve"
 Lounsbury sat quiet, realizing that the team was but pretext. The eld- CT girl found her cloak, picked up bucket and left the room. Marylyn shrank into the dusk at the hearthside. Lancaster was hobbling up and down, his crutch ends digging at the packed dirt of the floor.
 The storekeeper, putting aside his determination, went on as though he had not noticed the others attitude. "The storm was hard on the stock last night. They must "a drifted thir ty miles with it. Our loss is big, like ly. The punchers II bunch everything on four hoofs and drive 'em into the coulee. Cows II be out of the wind there and live on browse till the ] ground clears"
 But as he was talking the section boss made himself ready for the cold. Be fore he had finished the elder man had 1 disappeared.
 Lounsbury was thoroughly provoked at the treatment shown him-he was hurt at the plain lack of faith. Again he considered what course to pursue. Granted the family knew all he could tell them, what could be gained by forcing the fact of his knowledge up- on them? Nothing - unless 1t were more suspicion against himself. And if they were in ignorance-well, 1t was better than premature care. AS be- fore, he decided to remain silent and depend upon the pilot.
 He glanced at Marylyn. On her fa- ther's departure she had moved out of the shadow. Now she was sitting bolt upright, with fingers touching the bench at either side. Her lips were half parted. She was watching Louns- bury wonderlngly.
 The moment their eyes met her own fell. She reached to the mantel for a beaded belt and began work upon it precipitately.
 What is the prairie princess doing?" he asked.
 Making something." She held the belt by one hand to let it slip through the other
 He reached for it. "Aly, it's pretty! Wish you'd make me a watch fob like that"
 She flushed and dimpled. "rd like to-" she said.
 "I'll wear it as an amulet" He gave her back the belt and their hands touched.
 She started nervously.
 "Why, Miss Marylyn" he said gen. tly. You afraid of mep
 "No." It was whispered.
 "Well, you mustn't be-" His tone was one that might have been used to a child. "Since I rode here month ago I've thought of you folks a lot I'd like to do a real good turn for ycu. Perhaps it's because you girls seem so lonely"-
 Were not lonely" she declared. ''The forts near. and we can hear the band. And pa says therell be three or four steamers go by next summer"
 The stofekeeper mentally kicked himself "The idea of suggesting thing like that" he growled inwardly. when she hadn't even thought of it! John Lounsbury. you've got about as much sense as fool mud hen"
 And" went on Marylyn. there's the ladies at Fort Brannon. If pa"- She hesitatcd.
 Lounsbury shook his head. smiling. Well. I wouldn't count on them if I were you" he advised. remembering certain experiences of Bismarck bellies. Those women over there are as clan nish as crows
 ''Yes?" plaintiveIy. She went at her beads again.
 As I was saying" he began once more. I've thought of you folks a lot Seemed as if I inst had to come down today. And I brought you something. See herer' He delved into the side pockets of his coat and pulled out two books.
 "O-oh-' breathed Marylyn. "Books-'
 "An I had. but maybe you'll like 'em. They're love stories
 The shadow beyond the irelight claimed her again
 From the lean-to came the sound of Lancasters voice. It was shrill with anger 4 great sadness came over the stOrekeeper. "I wish could come down often and look after things.- he said You need another man around"
 There was g short silence. Then. 'sDaIlas likes the Eo-k O1tside." she answered very low. and driving Ben and Betty up ssd down He nodded But -o1T ~I lfl1e to stay i1 and sew" ~-Sfay fn and sew.'- be nused That takes ne hack to the states My dear mother sits by tie fire 4El sevs Ah--Eith btg b-Otheriy ten