The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1908-07-10

| same. is IL, MARY
She did not answer for 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 never meant it, Paul. l
was wild that night, but never meant
that you or-Jim should take life or
-or-give yours. | never meant it.. !"
His heart leaped, but he did not
touch her.
do you love me?' he asked.
She turned restlessly toward the
house.
MY father will be wanting me- she
said. Il must 60"
You shall not go until you have
told me-" he said. You must tell me.
You never have, you know. Do you
low 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 sooa?' he
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 the
world"
The fair head bent closer and closer,
then he kissed her-the little man
coated figure in his arms.
81 love you" he said.
She trembled in his embrace. He
kissed her again.
Il love YOU" he repeated.
She hid her face on his breast. He
lifted it gently.
Il tell you'll love you he said.
He placed her arms around his neck.
She pressed her lips to his, once, soft
ly.
81 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
long moment.
THE Three Bars is waiting for its
mistress" he said at last eXultantly.
"A mistress and 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
new foreman"
Il shall have one in month, he
said, smilingly. by that time George
Williston 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. 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 l
cannot do without him and when-l
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 nome
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 a
prank the two at the spring clasped
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 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.
Friends and neighbors," he said,
Shall we drink to the prosperity OF
the Lazy S, the health and happiness
of its master and its mistress?
The health was drunk with cheers
and noisy congratulations. Converse
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
brave man" in spite of himself his
voice broke-"let us drink to the mem
DRY 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'
ing that final scene on the island in
which a brave mans life had closed
Few there would soon forget Jim
Munson, cow-puncher of the Three
Bars.
There was yet another toast Lang
%. frrhf Nnny