The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1908-05-22


him.
II wish my father would cut down
that tree" she said, shivering
"You are cold," he said. His voice
was not quite steady. He took off his
coat and wrapped it around her,
despite her protests. He wanted to
hold her then, but he did not, though
the touch of her sent the blood bound
ing riotously through his veins.
"You shall wear the coat. lido not
want you to go in yet
But SADIE has finished, and people
will be coming soon."
II will not keep you long. l want
you to-Mary, my girl, I tried to kill
Black, but-Jim-' his voice choked
a little-"if it hadn't been for Jim,
Black would have killed me. 7
thought I could do it. I meant to
have you. Jim said it was all the
same-his doing it in my stead. I
came tonight to ask you if it is the
same. Is it, Mary?"
She did not answer for a little
while. How still night it was!
Lights twinkled from the windows Of
1T is the same," she said at last,
brokenly.
Her eyes were heavy with unshed
tears. But I never meant it, Paul. I
was wild that night, but never meant
that you or-Jim should take life or
-or-give yours. I never meant it,"
o~r& I,,k
touch her.
do you love me?" he asked.
She turned restlessly toward the
house.
my father will be wanting me-" she
said. II must co.
"You shall not go 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 head-close.
Have you forgotten SO soon?" he
whispered.
Suddenly he caught her to him
strongly, as was his way.
Il will tell you again." he said, soft
ly. II love you, my girl, do you hear?
There is no one but you in all the
world"
The fair head bent closer and closer,
then he kissed her-the little man
coated figure in his arms.
Il love you," he said.
She trembled in his embrace. He
kissed her again.
II love you," he repeated.
She hid her face on his breast. He
lifted it gently.
Il tell you-I love you," he said.
He placed her arms around his neck.
She pressed her lips to his, once, soft
ly.
IT love you" she whispered.
my girl, my girl" he said in an
swer. The confession was far sweeter
than he had ever dreamed. He held
her cheek pressed close to his for a
long moment.
1.-THE Three Bars is waiting for it's
Mistress" he said at last, exultantly.
"A mistress and a new foreman all at
once-the boys will have to step live
ly."
"A new foreman?" asked Mary in
surprise. Il did not know you had a
new foreman"
Il shall have one in month";" he
said, smilingly. by that time George
Williston will have sold the Lazy S
for good money, invested the proceeds
In cattle, turned the whole bunch in to
range with the Three Bars herds, and
on Nov. 1 he will take charge of the
worldly affairs of one Paul Langford
and his wife of the Three Bars
Really. Paul?" The brown eyes
shone with pleasure.
Really. Mary"
Has my father consented?"
mo, but he will when he finds I
cannot do without him and when-I
marry his daughter"
Hoof-beats on the sod! The guests
were coming at last. The beats rang
nearer and nearer. From Kemah,
from the Three Bars trail, from across
country. they were coming. All the
neighborhood ranchmen and home.
steaders with their families and all
the available cowboys had been hidden
to the frolic. The stableyard was
filling. Hearty greetings, loud talking
and laughter floated out on the still
air.
Laughing like children caught in q
prank the two at the spring clasred
hands and ran swiftly to the house.
Breathless but radiant, Mary came
forward to greet her guests while
Langford slipped away to put up SADIE.
The revel was at it's 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 III from The kitchen.
Langford stood Up. A sudden quiet
fell upon the people. c..<> <..~.. ..-.@.#
friends and neighbour he said,
".shall we drink to the prosperity OF
the Lazy s, the health and happiness