The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1908-08-07

thought | could do it. | meant to
have you. Jim said it was all the
same-his doing it in my stead. l
came tonight to ask you # it is the
same. Is it, Mary?"
She did not answer for a little
while. How still a night it was.
Lights twinkIed 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.
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 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. 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.
Il 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.
81 tell you'll 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, nay 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 q
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"
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 he finds
cannot do without him and when-I
marry his daughter"
Hoofbeats 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
with their families and all
the available cowboys had been hidden
to the frolic. The stableyard was
illing. 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 Sade.
The revel was at its highest. Mary
and Louise were distributing good
.hings to eat and drink to the hungry
,oWmen. The rooms were so crowded
many stood without looking in at the
ioors and windows. The fragrance Of
lot coffee drifted in from the kitchen.
Langford stood up. A sudden quiet
ell UPON the people.
Friends and neighbours" he said,
Shall We drink to the prosperity Of
he Lazy S, the health and happiness
If its master and it's mistress?"
The health was drunk with cheers
md noisy congratulations. Converse.
ion began again, but Langford still
food.
Friends and neighbors," he said ,
gain. His voice was grave. Let US I
rink to one-not with us to-night-a
)raye man" in spite of himself his ,