Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-05-07

Sne dfd not answer for q, little
while. How still a night It was.
Lights twinkled from the windows OF
"It is the same" she said at last,
brokenly.
Her eyes were heavy with unshcd
tears. But | never meant it, Paul.
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 restlessy toward the
house.
My father will be wanting me-" she
said. II must 60
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. 81 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 trembed 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--I 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
swer. The confession was far sweeter
than he had ever dreamed. He held
her cheek pressed close to his for a
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. 81 did not know you had a
new foreman
Il shall have one in a 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. / 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 ne finds l
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
Teighborhood ranchmen and home
steaders with their families and all
the available cowboys had been hidden
to the froic. The stableyard was
filing. Hearty greetings, loud talking
and laughter hcated 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 revol was ar its highest. Mary
and Louise were distributing good
things TO eat and drink to the hungry
cowmen. The rooms We're 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 neishbors," 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 Iangiord still
stood.
Friends and neighbora" 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 diInmed eyes, pictur-
Ing that final scene on the island in
which brave mans life had closed.
Few there would soon forget Jim
Munson, cowpuncher of the Three
Bars.
There was yet another toast Lang
ford was to propose tonight. Now
was the opportune time. Jim would
have wished it so. 1t was fitting that
this toast follow Jim sit was Jim
who had made 1t possible that it be
given. He turned to Mary and touched
her lightly on tho shoulder.
will you come. Mary" ne said.
She went with him. wonderinsly. He
led her to the center of the room
His arm fell gently over her Shout,
ders. Her cheeks flushed with the
sudden knowledge of what was com