Daily Arizona silver belt., 1908-11-24


 first. If you like him better than me just say so. won't stand in the way. You've acted different ever since he's been here. may be slow, but under heath won't stand much fooling. You know think sight of you" Ills voice failed.
 You must have wanted to pick quarrel to get mad over such little thing as his looking at our house, and here's your ring, Wenzell Beebe. Mir. Laidlaw is gentleman anyway" She thrust the ring into his unwilling hand and sprang from the carriage before he could lend her assistance.
 All that evening Ann Rose hirted desperately with Chester Laidlaw. Mrs. Baker looked on in stern disap- proval and when bedtime came she drew her daughter aside: 'sMhat do you mean, Ann Rose, a-eutting up with tho boarder? Where's Wenzell? I thought he was going to stay to tea" "Wenzell is slow poke. and 1 never want to see him again" breathed Ann Rose indignantly as she freed herself from her mot"nr's grasp and closed her bedroom door. A half hour afterward it thundered loudly and a flash of lightning cut the outer darkness. Mrs Baker hurried around and closed windows. She ereaked into her daughters room, throwing colossal shadow from the candle in her hand.
 "Land alivew she whispered hoarse- ly. "The boarder's down in the parlor scared to death of the thunder! He's got a Kitchen chair with the legs set In four tumblers, and he's got his rub bers on. He's sitting there shiverlng with the lamp lighted and don't know what all He's a great ninny. The l lightning's as sharp as l ever see 1t. The south meadow hay will be ruined. I guess. There it is waiting to be load cd on the wagon and your pa ten miles awayw
 Ann Rose leaned on her elbow and looked through the window. What's l that down in the meadow, mother" she asked. Watch the next fash" It came with a crashing roll of thun- der, and in the bright glare the hay field lay before them like painted picture. a broad sweep of stubble with here and there a stack of hay and fin the midst mans solitary form pitch ing hay vigorously.
 "who can 1t bef' whispered Ann Rose wonderingly.
 There's only one man bereabouts who'd take the trouble and risk his horses in that open field on night Ike this just ts save neighbours hay. It's wenzell.,. --.
 The girl did moi reply. She stared fearfully out at the terrific storm. | Through it all the man In the south hay field stolidly pitched hay on to the brimming wagon. Then be mount cd the load and drove toward the harm.
 I'm going down 10 open the barn door," cried Anu Rose sharply. and she sprang from the bed and hurried Into | some clothing. As she flashed through the parlor she cast a contemptuous glance at tiicf tsoarder. ''Goose!'' she sneered. but he was too miserable to care. -@- = a1.'
 wenzell B&be found the barn door wide open, and he drove in just as the first great Sraindrops fell. He slid down from the load and closed the great door tightly; then in the inter- mittens flashes that came through the wide cracks lie saw a small, white clad figure leaning against the corn bin.
 Its me, Wenzell," sobbed Ann Rose weakly. "I was dreadful scared when I saw you down in the field, and knew then If anything happened to you I'd never be happy again" She sobbed the last words on his broad shoulder. and his great hand caressed her haT softly.
 Don't you care. honey" he whis- pered. w was great gump 10 get jealous of thnt pin headed city dude anyhow. might have known ySu wns just enjoying the music and things with him"
 But you're awful brave to get in the hay--that way-and the bonrder- he's sitting in tho parlor scared to death." scbbed Ann Rose hystericaily.