Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-07-29
puncher," said Hendrix, with a dogged

puncner, Sdlu Hendrix, WIFI uOSgeO
look about his pleasant mouth.
Your name sounds familiar" she
said, with a return to her stiff manner.
Il will be very grateful if you will
show me the other way around"
Certainly" He fell into line at her
side, and they rode in silence for sew
eral miles. Presently Edith became
conscious that the COW puncher was OBJ
serving her furtively, and her cheeks
flushed. She turned Indignantly to-
ward him, but he was gazing fiXedly
away across the plain, although there
was that tense line about his jaw
which indicated some repressed feel
ing
Il believe he is laughing at me-" she
thought angrily. and then, mindful of
his gentle courtesy and of the fact that
he was going out of his way to make
her journey safe and pleasant. she
turned a softened face toward him. Il
am afraid l am making you great
deal of trouble" she said.
Not at ALL" he returned. II was out
looking for some stray critters. If
don't round 'em up today will tomor-
row."
THAT is what like about this west
ern country" she said wistfully. There
isn't the hurry and hustle of the east
and the undying conviction that what
isn't done today will never be done at
all. Every day is so crowded with
&c ttaf &c, 10 lIx,
liver She spoke bitterly now, and her
eyes were turned away toward the low
line of serrated hills before them.
II thought you were from the east"
he said quietly. Where are you stay
ingT'
AT Anderson's. You like the west
better than the east?" she asked tim
idly.
He removed his hat and looked about
the level expanse of country that was
visible from the slight rise they had
gained. at the bending blue sky, the
gray green Of the sagebrush and the
greener slopes of feeding grounds dot
ted with cattle.
"Who wouldn'tT" he replied briefly.
She sighed softly. 81 didn't know it
was so beautiful-out here" she said.
rather sadly, he thought. "They said
l must come for my health, and here
I am
Il came-because-somebody in the
east was tired of me-said she never
wanted to see me again." drawled
Hendrix. turning his eyes away from
her downcast face.
"Oh, nor she exclaimed warmly,
"Not that She blushed wildly.
Something like that" he returned
calmly.
There was silence for a time, she
riding with dropping head and sad
mouth and he watching her with ten.
der pity in his eyes.
"Here is your trail, ma'am," he said
at last, drawing in his horse with
sudden energy.
There was startled look in her face
as she raised her eyes TO his and then
glanced at the well defined trail that
led to Anderson's.
ITS easy to follow and will take
you straight as die to Anderson's."
He pulled his horse to one side and re.
moved his hat.
TIT is safe for me to go-alone"
she faltered as she turned her horse
into the trail and glanced appealingly
at him.
Hendrix hesitated. She saw the red
creep into the bronze of his cheek and
a strange light invade his eyes. "Safe
as time, ma'am," he said stubbornly,
facing his horse about and preparing
to leave her.
She rode few PAGES away from
him and then stopped. "Benforth," she
said TREMENDOUSLY over her shoulder, II
don't want to go alone-any longer.
want you to come with mew
He was at her side instantly.
"Do you mean it, Edith?" he ques.
toned eagerly. do you mean it,"
EYES," she whispered softly. II came
after you, Benforth. I wanted you!
Will you come with me-now"
"Let us go together-always," he