Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-03-21

"hiie. NOW sui night IL was
Lights twinkled from the windows OF
1T is the same she said at last.
brokenly.
Her eyes were heavy with unshed
tears. But 1 never meant II. Paul. I
vas wild that night. but never meant
that you or-Jim should take life or
-or-give yours. l 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 go"
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 u1~er his breath. then
bent his sunny hcsd-close.
Have you tOleOtten 50 soon?" he
whispered.
Suddenly he caught her to him
strongly. as was hts way
i will tell you again" he said. soft
ly. Il love you. my girl. do you hear?
There is nc 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" be said.
She trembled in his embrace. He
kissed her again.
Il love you" he repeated.
She hid her face on his breast. He
lifted Il gently.
i 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
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 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"
i 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 ia TO
range with the Three Bars herds. and
on Nov. he Will take charge OF the
worldly affairs Of one Paul I.angford
and his wife OF the Three Bars" Il
Really. PAUL." The brown eyes
shone with pleasure.
Really. Mary"
Has my father consented?"
NO. but he will when he hnds
cannot do without him and xhens-I
marry his daughter"
Hoof-beats on tho sod, The guests
were coming at last. The beats rang
nearer and nearer. From KEN an.
from the Three Bars trail. from acfoss
country. they were coming. All the
neighborhood ranchmen and home
steaders with their families and all
the available cowboys had been bidden
20 the frolic. The stableyard was
filling. Hearty greetings. loud talking
and laughter hoated out on the still
air.
Laughing like children caught in a
prank the two at the spring clasped
hands and ran swiftly 70 the house.
Breathless bat radiant, Mary came
forward 20 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 10 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 stII
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
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-
Ing that final scene on the island In
which brave mans life had closed.
Few there would soon forget Jim
Munson, cow-puncher 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. Il was fitting that
this toast follow Jim's-it was Jim
who had made 1t possible that II be
given. He turned 10 Mary and touched
her lightly on the shoulder.
"Win you come. Mary he said.
She went with him, wonderinsly. He
led her to the center OF the room.