Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1909-12-24
CHAPTER Xxx.
The Laugh of a Woman.


startled to hear the cottage door open
and to see Dicksie quie unconcernedly
walk in. To Marion's exclamation Of
surprise she returned only laugh. Il
have changed my mind, dear. l am
going to stay all night"
Marion kissed her approvingly.
Really, you are getting so sensible l
shant know you, Dicksie. In fact, |
believe this is the most sensible thing
you were ever guilty Of"
"Glad you think So" returned Dick
sic, dryly, unpinning her hat; Ger
tainly hope it is. Mr.. McCloud per-
suaded me it wasn't right for me to
ride home alone, and l knew better
than he what danger there was for
him in riding home with me-so here
/ am. He is coming over for supper,
too, in few minutes"
When McCloud arrived he brought
with him a porterhouse steak, and
Marion was again driven from the
kitchen. At the end Of an hour, Dick
sic, engrossed over the broiler, was
putting the finishing touches to the
steak, and McCloud, more engrossed,
was watching her, when a difident
and surprised-looking person appeared
in the kitchen doorway and put his
hand undecidedly on the casing. While
he stood, Dicksie turned abruptly to
McCloud.
"Oh, by the way, l have forgotten
something! VIII you do me a favor?'
Certainly! Do you want money or
a pass?"
mo, not money" said Dicksie, lift
ing the steak on her fork, though
you might give me pass"
But l should hate to have you go
away anywhere"
81 don't want to 90 anywhere, but l
never had pass, and think it would
be kind of nice to have one just to
keep. Don't your"
"Why, yes; you might put it in the
bank and have 1t drawing interest"
This steak is-Do they give inter-
est on passes?"
well, a good deal Of interest is felt
in them-on this division at least.
What is the faVor?"
Eyes, what is it? How can l think?
Oh, l know! II they don't put Jim in
box stall tonight he will kill some of
the horses over there. Will you tele-
phone the stables?"
Wont you give me the Aumber and
let me telephone?" asked a voice be-
hind them. They turned in astonish-
ment and saw Whispering Smith. 81
am surprised" he added, calmly, Ito
see a man of your intelligence,
George, trying to broil steak with
the lower door of your stove wide
open. Close the lower door and cut
out the draft through the fire. Don't
stare, George; put back the broiler.
And haven't you made a radical mis-
take to start WITH" he asked, step
ping between the confused couple
Are you not trying to broil roast Of
beef"
Where did you come from?" de,
manded McCloud, as Marion came in
! from the dining room.
Don't search me the very first
thing" protested Whispering Smith.
But we've been frightened to death
here for "a hours. Are you really alive
and unhurt? This young lady rode in
20 miles this morning and came to the
Office in tears to get news of you"
Smith looked mildly at Dicksie. "Dit
you shed a tear for me? | should like
to have seen just one! Where did
come from? l reported in wild ovel
the telephone ten minutes ago. Didnr
Marion tell you? She is so forgetful
That is what causes wrecks, Marion
l have been in the saddle since three
o'clock this morning, thank you, an(
have had nothing for five days bu
raw steer garnished with sunshine"
The four sat down to supper, an(
Whispering Smith began to talk. HI
told the story Of the chase to thu
Cache, the defiance from Rebstock
and the tardy appearance of the mel
he wanted. "Du Sang meant to shoe
his way through US and make dasl
for it. There really was nothing els,
for him to do. Banks and Kennel,
were up above, even if he could hav,
ridden out through the upper canyon
which is very doubtful with all tn,
water now. After a little talk bacl
and forth, Du Sang drew, and o
course then 1t we every NAH for him
| sell ne NdA H. TWICE a-lO no q 81
Sunday night, but the other two wer'
not seriously hurt. What can you do
It is either kill or get killed with thos'
fellows, and, Of course, l talked plain
ly to Du Sang. He had butchered
man at Mission Springs just the nigh
before, and deserved hanging a dozel
times over. He meant from the start
he told me afterward, to get me. Oh
Miss Dunning, may / have some NOR
coffee? Haven't I an agreeable par
Of the railroad business, don't yo'
think? l shouldn't have pushed II
; here tonight, but / saw the light
, when l rode BY awhile ago; the
hooked so good couldn't resist"
| McCloud leaned forward. You cal
> 1t pushing in, do you, Gordon? D