The log cabin Democrat., 1909-10-02

but he is safe, isn't he? l was heart broken when I heard he was killed. Marion ought to know of this" she said, rising. q am going to tell her"
 And may I come over after I tell Rooney Lee to repeat this to head quarters?"
 Why, of course, if you want to-"
 When McCloud reached the cottage Dicksie met him. Katie Dancing's mother is sick, and she has gone home. Poor Marion Is all alone this morning, and half dead with a sick headache" said Dicksie. But 1 told her, and she said she shouldn't mind the headache now at all'
 But what are you going to do?"
 q am going to get dinner; do you want to help?"
 I'm going to help"
 "Oh, you are? That would be very funny"
 Funny or not, I'm going to help"
 You would only be in the way"
 You don't know whether I should or not"
 hloN uo liuCh Dtlici IT you would go back and run the rail road few minutes"
 "The railroad be hanged. I am for dinner
 But I will get dinner for you"
 You need not. l can get it for my self"
 You are perfectly absurd, and if we stand here disputing, Marion won't have anything to eat"
 They went into the kitchen disput- ing about what should be cooked. At the end of an hour they had two fires going-one in the stove and one in Dicksies cheeks. By that time it had been decided to have luncheon in stead of dinner Dicksie attempted some soup, and McCloud found a strip of bacon, and after he had cooked it, Dicksie, with her riding-skirt pinned up and her sleeves delightfully."- rolled back, began frying eggs. When Marion, unable longer to withstand the excite ment, appeared, the engineer, flushed with endeavor, was making toast.
 The three sat down at table togeth- CT. They found they had forgotten the coffee, but Marion was not allowed to move from her chair When the coffee was made ready the bacon had been eaten and more had to be fried. McCloud proved able for any part of the program, and when they rose it was four o'clock and too late, Mo Cloud declared, to go back to the of flee that afternoon. Marion and Dicksie after a time, at tempted jointly to get rid of him, but they found they could not. 50 the three talked about Whispering Smith When the women tried to discourage McCloud by talking hats he played the wheeZy piano, and when Dicksie spoke about going home he declared he would ride home with her. But Dick sic had no mind that he should, and when he asked to know why, without realizing what flush fingered in his face, she said only, no; if she had reasons she would give none. McCloud persisted, because under the flush about his eyes was the resolve that he would take one long ride that evening, in any event. He had made up his mind for that ride-a longer one than he had ever taken before, or expected ever to take again-and would not be baked
 Dicksie insisting upon going home, went so far as to have her horse brought from the stable. To her sur prise, a horse for McCloud came over with it. Quiet to the verge of solem- nifty, but with McCloud following. Dicksie walked with admirable firm ness out of the shop to the curb. Me Cloud gave her rein to her, and with a smile stood waiting to help her mount.
 She was drawing on her second glove. You are not going with me" /"
 You'll let me ride the same road, won't you-even if cant keep up?"
 Dicksie looked at his mount. Tt would be difficult to keep up with that horse"
 Would you ride away from me just because you have a better horse?"
 No. not just because I have a bet. ter horse"
 He looked steadily at her without speaking.
 Why must you ride home with me when l don't want you to-" she asked, responsibility. Fear had come upon her and she did not know what she was saying. She saw only the expres- sion of his eyes and looked away, but she knew that his eyes followed her. The sun had set. The deserted street lay in the white half-light of a noun tain evening, and the days radiance was dying in the sky. In lower tones he spoke again, and she turned deadly white.
 I've wanted so long to say this, Dicksie, that I might as we'll be dead as to try to keep it back any longer. That's why I want to ride home with you if you are going to let me" He turned to stroke her horses head. Dicksie stood seemingly helpless. Me Cloud slipped his finger into his waist coat pocket and held something out in