The Bottineau courant., 1909-08-13

."Oh, I wouldn't eat it anyway"
cried Dicksie.
you wouldn't? It is delicious. Do
have a plate and a wing at least"
Really, could not bear to think of
It," she said, pathetically.
He spoke lower. Something is
troubling you. l have no right to
confidence, know" he added, taking
a biscuit.
Her eyes fell to the floor. 1T is
nothing. Pray, don't mind me. May
I fill your cup?" she asked, looking
up. Il am afraid I worry too much
over what has happened and can't be
helped. Do you never do that?"
McCloud, laughing wretchedly, tore
Caesars last leg from his body. mo,
indeed. never worry over what can't
he helped"
They left the dining room. Marion
came down. But they had hardly
seated themselves before the living
room fire when a messenger arrived
with word that McCloud was wanted
1t the river. His chagrin at being
dragged away was SO apparent that
Marion and Dicksie sympathized with
him and laughed at him. al never
worry about what can't be helped,'"
Dicksie murmured.
He looked at Marion. That's shot
at me. You don't want to go down,
do you?" he asked, ironically, looking
from one to the other.
why, of course, I'll go down." re-
sponded Dicksie, promptly. Marion
caught cold last night, guess, 80 you
will excuse her, know. will be back
in an hour, Marion, and you can toast
your cold while I'm gone."
But you mustn't go alone!" pro-
tested McCloud.
Dicksie lifted her chin the least bit.
Il shall be going with you, shall not?
And If the messenger has gone back
I shall have to guide you. You never
could find your way alone"
But l can co." interposed Marion,
rising.
mot at all; you can not go!" an
nounced Dicksie. IT can protect both
ANl uNS4Ouu 1Au LILY 0O11 IL uC SuOu1u
arrive down there under the wing of
two women he would never hear the
last Of it. l am mistress here still,
think; and sha'n't be leaving home,
you know, to make the trip!"
McCloud looked at Marion. II
never worry over what can't be
helped-though it is dollars to
cents that those fellows don't need
me down there any more than a cat
needs two tails. And how will you
get back?" he asked, turning to Dick
sic.
II will ride back!" returned Dicksie,
loftily. "But you may, if you like,
help me get my horse up"
"Are you sure you can find your
way back?" persisted McCloud.
Dicksie looked at him in surprise.
Find my way back?" she echoed,
softly. II could not lose it. 1 can
ride over any part of this country at
noon or at midnight, asleep or awake,
with a saddle or without, with bride
or without, with a trail or without.
I've ridden every horse that has ever
come on the Crawling Stone ranch.
could ride when 1 was three years old
Find my way back?"
The messenger had gone when the
two rode from the house. The sky
was heavily overcast, and the wind
blew such gale from the south and
west that one could hardly hear what
the other said. McCloud could not
have ridden from the house to the
barn In the utter darkness, but his
horse followed Dicksie's. She halted
frequently on the trail for him to
come up with her, and after they had
crossed the alfalfa fields McCloud did
not care whether they ever found the
path again or not. Its great, isn't
it," he exclaimed, coming up to her
after opening a gate in the dark.
Where are your"
This way" laughed Dicksie. Look
out for the trail here. Give me your
hand and let your horse have his head.
If he slips, drop of quick on this
side." McCloud caught her hand.
They rode for moment in silence,
the horses stepping cautiously. "All
right now," said Dicksie; "you may let
co." But McCloud kept his horse up
close and clung to the warm hand
'The camp is just around the hill,"
murmured Dicksie, trying to pull
away. But Of course If you would
like to ride in holding my hand you
may!"
NO." said McCloud, "of course not
not for worlds! But, Miss Dicksie,
couldn't we ride back to tho house
and ride around the other way into
camp? think the other way into the
camp-say, around by the railroad
bridge-would be prettier, don't you?"
For answer she touched Jim lightly
with her lines and his spring released
her hand very effectively. AS she did
so the trail turned, and the campfire,
whipped in the high wind, blazed be-
fore them.
Whispering Smith and Lance Dun
ming were sitting together as the two
galloped up. Smith helped Dicksie to
alight She was conscious of her color
y =