The Ordway new era., 1908-07-10

| thought l couiu uo ~. A.,
have you. Jim said 1t was all tne
same-his doing It in my stead
came tonight to ask you II 1t Is the
same. Is 1t. Mary" ,,
She did not answer Tor htue
while How still night IL was:
Lights twinkled from the windows OF
"Jt ia the same" she said Mt last,
brokenly.
Her eyes were heavy with uhsheu
tcars. But never meant 1t. Paul
vos wild that night but never meant
,h,t Won or-Iim should take life or
-or-give yours | never meant IL
His heart leaped, but he did not
touch her.
DO YOU love me-" he asked.
She turned restlessly toward the
house.
My father Will he wanting me- she
said. Il must go
You shall not 20 until you have
told me. he said. You must tell me.
You never have. you know. Do you
love me-"
You have not told me, either" she
resisted. You are not fair.
He laughed under his breath. then
bent his sunny hcad-close,
Have you forgotten so soon? ne
whispered.
Suddenly he caught her TO him
strongly. as was his way,
Il will tell you again. he said. SOFT
ly. Il love you. my girl, do you hear
There is no one but you in all III"
world"
The fair head bent closer and closer.
then he kissed hcr-the little man
coated figure in his arms.
Il love you" he said.
She trembled in his embrace He
kissed her again.
Il love you" he repeated.
She hid her face on hts breast He
lifted It gently.
Il tell you love YOU. he said
He placed her arms around his neck
She pressed her lips TO his. once. soft
ly.
Il love YOU" she whispered
My girl. my girl" he said in an
swcr. The confession was far sweeter
than he had ever dreamed He held
her cheek pressed close to his for
long moment,
The Three Bars is waiting for its
mistress" he said at last, cxultantly.
"A mistress and a new foreman all nj
once-the boys will have TO step live
ly"
"A new foreman asked Mary in
surprise 1 did not know you had
new foreman
Il shall have one in i month. he
said. smillngly. BY that time George
Wiliston will have sold the Lazy
for good money invested the proceeds
In cattle. turned the whole bunch in to
range with the Three BARS herds, and
on Nov. he will take charge Of the
worldly AFFAIRS OF one Paul Langford
and his wife Of the Three Bars
Really, Paul." The brown eyes
shonc with pleasure.
Really Mary"
Has my father consented ?"
No. hut he will when he finds |
cannot do without him and when-l
marry his daughter
IlpblTbftia 'AI VIC H'I4 ~ ssh'F'o
were coming at last The beats rang
nearer and nearer. From Kcmah.
from the Three Bars trail. from across
country, they were coming. All the
ncighborhood ranchmen and home
steaders with their families and all
the available cowboys had been bidden
to the frolic. Tho stableyard was
and laughter foatcd out on the still
air.
Laughing like children caught in
prank the two at the spring clasped
hands and ran swiftly to the house.
Breathlcss but radiant. Mary came
forward to greet her guests while
Langford slipped away to put up SADIE.
The revel was at its highest. Mary
and Louise were distributing good
things to eat and drink to the hungry
cowmen. The rooms were SO crowded
many stood without looking in at the
doors and windows. The fragrance OF
hot coffee drifted in from the kitchen.
Langford stood up. A sudden quiet
fell upon the people.
TIItuuS anu HeisHuOTs, ne salu,
shall we drink to the prosperity of
the Lazy S. the health and happiness
OF its master and It's mistress?"
The health was drunk with cheers
and noisy congratulations. Conversa-
ton began again. but Langford still
stood.
Friends and neighbors." he said
again. His voice was grave. Let us
drink to one-not with us to-night-a
braF man" in spite of himself his
voice broke-'let us drink to the MEN,
ory of Jim Munson."
Silently all rose and drank. They
were rough men and women, most Of
them. but they were people who held
personal bravery among the virtues.
Many stood with dimmed eyes, pictur.