Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-01-30

in %lessening parallelograms.
1t was the novelty of seeing q wom-
an about that was pleasant. He had
no sisters, and his mother had long
been dead. 1t was just the novelty
and the neatness and contentedness of
1t all he liked. And this idea, if his
thoughts took such definite form, re-
manned with him for Il month-until
the invalid began to hobble about OH
crutches when suddenly the truth
came home to him as had her beauty
that day on the ridge. Billy was in
love.
Betty noticed the change in him at
once, and her face grew puzzled. but
only for a little while. Then an odd
twinkle of humor came into her eyes
as though she understood. And min
gled with the humor was a tender.
Pickering light which had been gaining
strength in her eyes these past few
weeks. a light which Billy had not yet
seen.
AS he entered Jake looked up with
angry Impotence. and Billy raised a
hand defensively before his face, but
the invalid was not thinking of that.
"Heered anything bout wheat to-
day." he grumbled. "Goin' down, of
course"
"Goin' up" Billy answered promptly.
"a man hollered to me from the aige
o. the hill this mornin' an said twas
seventy"
Seventy" Jake grabbed his crutches
and rose totteringly to his feet, but
sank back. with a snarl of mingled
rage and pain. Seventy cents. an
I've got ninety bushels. Dunn the old
back! By the time I'm out ag'in it'll
be down to fifty, like twas last year.
an thatll be a clean loss Of $1S."
Cant l go, pap?" suggested Betty.
The gloomy face cleared Slightly,
then lowered. He loved the profits of
his industry. but not so much as he
loved Betty. 1t was thirty miles to
Staunton.
mo, We can't" he snarled.
There was a brief silence. Then Bet
ty said:
"There's Billy, pap. He's mighty
strong and willin'."
The face darkened, then grew light
er. Evidently the idea, at first scout
ed, was being tolerated. That meant
Billy had been making giant strides
forward during these few weeks.
"I-dunno." doubtfully.
Billy saw his opportunity and rose
to it like a man-like a man of indus
try. He was developing rapidly.
"I'Il take it down all right" he said
confidently. give sold wheat to Staun-
ton afore. But mebbe it'll be worth
while to hold back till you're out
ag'in."
Jake snorted.
"There's more fallin's than risin's in
wheat" he snapped. "Pve found that
out. reckon ye'd better go, an.
mind. 1 want We to get it all down by
tomorrow. Seventy cents! Yes. We
must get it all in tomorrow"
Billy's head was whirling. But there
was Betty looking at him confidently,
and her father already beginning to
lose some of his newly acquired conf
dence. He must brace up.
Cali right" he answered us steadily
as he could. "The mules can draw
half on the long Vaughn, an I'll borry
Tom Stuart's mule an Ike Coyner's
hay Vaughn. That'll take the other
half. likes boy Sam can drive behind
me so 1 al keep an eye on him. Oh.
yes. Well get on fust rate"
Jake nodded %approvingly. 1t was a
good plan.
Seventy CENTS" he admonished
warningly. TRY an get it."
After the wheat was loaded the next
day Billy entered the cabin for a few
last instructions. Before leaving he
contrived to draw Betty into the back
kitchen for a moment.
"Say. Betty" he began, "I-l-say.
would We mind me buyin' a ring to
Staunton, a gold ring for you an me?"
She looked at him quickly, under
standingly, her face flushing. She
could not remember q single one of her
married acquaintances who had been
given a gold ring.
"Why no. l wouldn't mind, Billy"
she said simply. "I'l be real glad"
"An'-an' would We mind speakin'
to your pap bout it while I'm gone.
Betty? 1t might be a good time now
Pm a-totin' his wheat"
"N-no. | don't mind"
She watched him from the doorway
until the heavy wagons rumbled out
Of sight. Then she went to her father.
"Pap." she announced abruptly.
"Billy's asked me to marry him."
"An' you"
1--WE said yes" composedly.
Jake controlled himself with a
mighty effort. With Betty he must be
diplomatic.
"Well. We know BEST" he grimaced
affably. But We know how tits with
Billy. Yen have to wait till he's able
to keep ye. I don't reckon he's saved
enough to buy a runt pig yet"
But Betty smiled to herself content
eddy. Wa not Billy the best natured
and the best looking man On the slope?
And had he not promised her a gold
rin0 off of tho plenitudo of his rjchpsr