The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1908-07-10

| 1Ou sAdll uoL 80 uHIll you nave
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 soony' he
whispered.
Suddenly he caught her tc him
strongly, as was his way.
Il will tell you again." he said aoft-
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.
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 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
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. l 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"
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 home
steaders with their families and all
the available cowboys had been bidden
| to the frolic. The stableyard was
filling. Hearty greetings, loud talking
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
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.
ory of Jim Munson."
Silently all rose and drank. They
we're rough men and women, most OF
them, but they were a 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. 1t was fitting that
this toast follow Jim's-it was Jim
who had made it possible that 1t be
given. He turned to Mary and touched
her lightly on the shoulder.
Will you come, Nary" he said.
She went with him, wonderingly, He
led her to the center of the room
His arm fell gently over her shoul.
ders. Her cheeks flushed with the
sudden knowledge of what was com.
ing, but she looked at him with per.
feet trust and unquestioning love.
Friends and neighbors," his voice
rang out so that all might hear, II
ask you to drink to the health and
happiness Of the future mistress of the