The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-12-10

"Oh, Dallasr she buried her face
in her hands. 'tIt's-it's that II like
him. / like himt'
4 moment of perplexity. Then,
gradually, it dawned upon the elder
girl whom the other meant. In very
surprise her arms Ioosened their hold.
"You do hate me-" Marylyn said
plaintively.
"So, honey, no-why should I hate
you?' Her >yords We're earnest. But
her understanding had changed it.
And she felt a strange hurt, a vague
hurt that seemed to have no cause.
Marylyn raised herself on an elbow.
HE liked me-once." she said. HE
showed it just as plain. 1t was right
here-that day the cattle went by"
Dallas got up. She had begun to
tremble visibly. Her breath was COM
ing short, as if she had been running.
But the younger girl did not notice.
HE stayed away so long" she went
on. Then, today when he came-you
remember, Dallas-he just said a word
or two to Tae and laughed at me be-
cause l was afraid. And-and l saw
that I was wrong. and II saw-he
liked-yOu."
"Mew Dallas turned. She felt the
blood come driving into her face. She
felt that strange hurt ease and go in
a rush of joyful feeling. Then she I'M
derstood the cause of it and why she
had trembled-why that day had been
the happiest of her life.
OF a sudden she became conscious
that Marylyn's eyes were upon her
with look of pathetic reproach. She
began to laugh
Nonsense. honey" she said. Don't
be silly! Me! Why, he'd never like a
great big gawk like mer'
"But-but''-
ME, with my red hatr-you know It
is kinda red-and my face, sunburned
as a. Indian-hands all calloused like
| like d mans" She turned back to the
dusk through the window. "Oh, no.
not mer'
But you looked so funny just now"
Did 1? Did II" Dallas stammered
| out her reason: "Well-well. that was
| because-because l thought you was
| going to say it was soldier" She
| laughed nervously but it was Mr..
Lounsbury you meant. honey. wasn't
it?'
The suspicion that had troubled the
mind of the younger girl was allayed.
why, Dallas, how could you think
such a thing about me! Like a soldierl
Ny. no. 1t was Mr.. Lounsbury-but
he don't like me-"
She got up and went to the foot Of her
fathers bunk. When she reappeared
she was carrying the soap box that
more, she took out and held up to the
light of the fire two books and q strip
of beaded cloth.
The elder left the window and stood
beside her.
''These are what he gave me-" went
on Marylyn, putting forward the
books. And this"-she showed the
bead work-''he asked me to make for
him. But today" mournfully, ''he
didn't even speak of it."
Dallas leaned down and touched her
lips to the others hair. Baby sister
what did you expect him to do? Hold
up a man with one hand and-and
reach out for a present with the 9th
er?'
Marylyn put away the box. "Any
way he don't like me-
Like you? Why, he couldn't helI
1t. There isn't a sweeter, prettier CIR
on the prairie than my little house
keeper"
"He called me the prairie princess,
declared Marylyn. but with lingering
doubt.
Now, that shows" said the elder
girl. Don't you worry another sec
ond. When he comes again you'll see.'
So Dallas soothed and comforted he
until she fell asleep, when she lifted
her to her fathers bed and covered
her carefully. Then she drew aside s
swinging blanket TO let the tireligh
shine through - and saw that there
were still tears on her sisters face.