Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-01-07

the five with her.
Lounsbury sat up and put out his
hand. The fun was gone from his
eyes.
Dallas. you've had your talk" he
said quietly, but with hint of anxi-
ETY.. Il know it's all right. It's got to
be-"
She came part way to him and stood
where morning glory vines climbed a
lattice. 'Marylyn's just been telling
me-" she answered. She raised her
head, very intent upon the flagstaff.
'Dear?" he questioned.
She glanced down at him, smiling
through tears. "All the time they lik-
ed each other" she said happily. He
calls her Marylyn, and she calls him
Robert
He got up and went to her. when
saw him there in the road by that
cottonwood bunch Juggling her along
so careful, looking SO scared-and the
way lie held her on Buckskin"' He
caught her hand.
There's one thing that hurts" she
answered. That it kept you out there
watching, and didn't even go to you
but IT
You We're doing the white thing by
that little sister. That makes it all the
sweeter''
"She was afraid I'd scold," still
through tears.
You sco!dr'
II would l felt different about sol
diers-then."
He took a deep breath. They're
handy to have around" he said.
"She's afraid Mr.. Fraser III find out
what she said about you
He won't. He might get notion
she didn't know her own mind yet.
He might-well, as Kippis says. les
bloomin' 'ot 'eaded.' the little beggar."
"She don't know 1 told you. It'd
| bother her if
That's between you and me, Dial
las" He drew her near.
YES"
Yes, John" promptingly.
Eyes, John"
| The morning glory vines on the lat
tice reached up and out. Brushed by
| the wind they made a sheltering veil
| He drew her closer. He lifted her face
/ to his by a smoothing caress of her
I, hair He kissed her .s.-fs s-s-.-.
My dearest. My splendid girl!'
He shook his head roguishly at her.
$50 wild, she was, with the bit in her
| teeth. And now-she eats right out of
my hand"
Then, roguish no longer, he lifted
| her two hands. turned them, palms up,
| and touched them with his lips.
"Ah, dear, there must be no more
you after this. We won't wait, will
weT'
"No."
"Just the minute a minister can be
reached?'
| Yes"
i've a mind to bride Mike into TAX
| ing us to Bismarck after breakfast"
You're too sick" Her face was
grave; her eyes watched him anxious
How went running off when 1 heard
that shot. Oh, suppose, suppose
I'll be over this in day. And l
know you went because you had to.
Don't I know you weren't afraid?
Don't 1 know why you left Marylyn
behind at the trees? Dallas-you're
wife for a man out herev'
She colored under his praise.
After a time they walked to the top
of the steps.
Across the river at the center of the
yellow bend it stood-the squat shack
Dear little homer she said.
"You wouldn't like to leave 1t. You
can go to Bismarck, you know, or east
or anywhere"
I'D rather stay"
We'll stay-right over there. Then
when the town comes and it gets toe
1 populous-if you like and If Marylyn
IS not at this post-we'll go farther UP
to open country again"
We'll take your share of the CLARK
herd" she said.
.I've got fine little saddle mare fol-
you," he said.
Somebody entered the parlor behind
them-two somebodies, hand in hand.
Dallas" called one meekly.
LOunSDuIy, udHtu TIE OtueT.
|, The sterekeeper went in, Dallas with
him. "Bless your sweet hearts," he
said when he faced the couple. Mary
Ign, you rested?, Fraser, you look idi
otically happy"
I'm not Alone" retorted the neuten
ant. I'D hate to describe you this
minute, your face beaming through al
that lint"
Save yourself the trouble here be
fore my future wife,
Fraser turned to Marylyn. "Phew
But we're important! Listen to himr
Dallas wants to go back to the
shack. Can a ordinary everyday
trooper look after the finest two-year
old and the finest team in Dakota
Not by long shot! And I'm not go
! ing to let her go Alone" soberly, latter
what's happened. Can't take any more
J chances"
1 Fraser sobered too Nothing to fear
any more" he said. when Mixes
men were getting the boat off down
below they found him"