The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1908-05-20
CHAPTER XvII-Continued.


dropping down an unclouded sky; the
stars hung low and white. And when
she neared the swale she saw, a good
distance before her, that small black
object separate itself from the grove
again and move forward.
She stopped. She was not frightened
now. She knew who 1t was. And when
she saw his arms come up and caught
the CLINT of metal she called out to
him: "Don'tl Don't! It's me!'
There was a muttered exclamation,
and the arms fell. Miss Dallasr he
cried and sprang forward.
I'll was sure 1t was you" she ad-
mitted TREMENDOUSLY. "And you've been
guarding here all the timer
Lounsbury was painting. Suppose
I'd fired?' he said. II had a mind to.
Criminir'
you'd "a missed likely"
Maybe not. You see, thought, we'll
that Matthews or that precious
brother of his, they might get to both
ering you folks. Anyway, amt it dan
gerous for you to be out here late like
thisY
at is for you. You get shot at
keeping guard on u.s."
He thumped the swale impatiently
with the butt Of his gun.
"Oh, it was you," she persisted,
gravely enough. THAT is why came
tonight"
"Ah! You mean that can help you,
Miss Dallas. Tell me-tell me, what
can doT'
Don't let Matthews kill you"
Lounsbury laid down his gun. When
he Strengthened he stepped to her side.
"Me?' he said. well, I'm q match for
him. You amt. But what else?'
She moved aside, averting her face.
There is something, Miss DallasY'
"Y-e-e-s."
He saw she was disconnected and
strove to put her at ease. do you
know" lie said, you're so tall in that
coat you almost look like a heap big
chief"
She did not hear him. She was not
listening. The wished for opportuni-
ty was come. She was trying desper-
ately to rally speech. "You-you
amt been round of late" she began
at last II hope''- But she could not
finish.
NO" he said slowly He rammed
his hands into his trousers pockets. IT
haven't been around lately, but didn't
think you'd notice it" He darted a
glance at her.
''Was it dad?" she asked. did you
think
Yes, 1t was your father. thought
ne went out of his way to be-well,
kinda short, you know. l was only
trying t be decent"
Dads funny" she said refiectively.
Whenever we get to a chuck hole,
where all of US ought to pull t'gether,
ne goes slack on the tugs. He's like
Ben that way. So. have t. go up
him, stroke his name, fix his curb and
let some cool air under his collar.
Alter while he gives a haw-hee-haw
and goes on
Lounsbury did not laugh. "He balk-
ed when 1t came to me-" he said So
Derly, land 1t hurt. Afterward kinda
got 1t into my head that none of you
wanted me-"
She looked straight at him. But
one did-one did," she whispered, chok-
ing.
lie pulled his hands free of his pock-
ets. "One-one," he said huskily.
"Who?"
And now everything was clear to
ner. She knew just what to say. She
mad no feelings of self. The duty was
not hateful or embarrassing. "WhoT
she repeated. Don't you know, Mr..
Lounsbury? Why, Marylyn."
"Marylyn," he echoed as If In puz-
zle; "Marylyn! You're jokingv'
She caught shade of reproach in
That and misunderstood It. 81 reckon
you won't like her SO well now" she
said.
Like her SO well? don't know
what you mean"
"She-she likes YOU" stammered Dali
las.
Still he was puzzled. st supposed
she didn't hate me-"
But now You know"
There was no mistaking her. Utter
" dumfounded, he could not trust an
immediate answer. II see, see," he
said finally.
And youth like her just the same%
he drew deep breath. His eyes
were on her face. trying to read 1t in
Tue oimness. Then, II am not cub
boy, Miss Dallas"
fou won't stay away" she persist
ed. You'll come"
II I'm judging right, I mustn't. I'm