Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-04-20

4 lore song ia SpaniSt. Yes. scared
downright scared" he answered. Il
reckon I'm like an Indian. An Indian
doesn't believe it's good medicine to let
the gods know he's big happy. for
there's the thunder bird
The thunder bird.'
The evil spirit OF the Storm con-
tinued Jack. when the thunder bird
hears fellow saying he's big happy
he sends him bad luck"
Echo laid her hand softly on the
mouth Of her sweetheart. I'VE won't
spoil our happiness, then, by talking
about 1t. We will just feel it-just be
IT,"
She laid her head upon Jacks knee.
He placed his arm lightly. but pro-
ectingly, over her shoulder. They sat
in silence listening to the Mexican's
love song. Finally Jack bent over and
whispered gently in her ear:
Softly. so the thunder bird won't
hear. Echo. tell me you love me: that
you love only me; that you will always
love me, no matter what shall happen;
that you never loved until you loved
me-"
Echo sat upright with start what
DO you meanY she exclaimed. "Of
course love you and you only. but the
future and the past are beyond our
control. Un.ess you know OF some
thing that is guing TO happen which
may mar our love your question is
silly. not at all like your Mother Goose
nonsense-that was dear. And. as for
the past, you mean Dick Lane
"Yes, | mean Dick Lane" confessed
Payson In a subdued tone. IL am
Jealous Of him-that is, Of even his
memory"
"That Is not like Jack Payson. What
has come over you? 1t is the shadow
Of your thunder bird. You know what
my feeling was for Dick Lane and
what 1t Is. for 1t remains the same, the
only difference being that now | know
It never was love. Even II It wpre he
Is dead, and | love you, Jack-you
alone. Oh. how you shame me by
forcing ME to speak Of such things.
have tried to put poor Dick out OF my
mind. for every time ! think OF him II
Is with Il wicked JOY that he is dead,
that he cannot come home to claim me
as his wife. Oh. Jack. Jack. ! didn't
think 1t of YOU
And the girl laid her face within her
hands on her lovers knee and burst
into q tit of sobbing.
Jack payson shut his teeth.
"Wcll. since | have lowered myself
80 far I'm your esteem and since your
mind is already SHINING against Dick
Lane we might as well go on and set
tie this matter. | promise ] Will not
mention II again. But |, too, have
troubles of the mind. am rs am,
and you ought to know 1t. ! said ]
was Jealous Of Dick Lanes memory.
It IS more. am jealous Of Dick Lane
himself. II he should return, would
you leave me and 60 with him-as his
wlfeT
Again she sat upright. BY strong
effort she controlled her sobbing.
"The man admired does not de-
serve an answer, but the child he has
proved himself to be and whom can
not help loving shall have 1t. Yes; II
Dick Lane returns true to his promise
| I shall be true to mine"
| She arose and went into the house.
Payson rode homeward through the
starlight consumed by torturing jeal
ousy. He now had no thought OF con
fiding In Jim Allen. He regretted that
he had touched so dangerously neal
the subject Of Dick Lanes return In
talking to Bud aud Polly. His burn
Ing desire was to be safely married tt
Echo Allen before the inevitable re
turn Of her former lover.
"Fool that was not to ask her one
more question. Would she forgive hel
husband where she would not forgive
her lover? What will she think Of mt
when all Is discovered, as 1t surely
will be2 Well. must take my chances
Events will decide"
On his return to Sweetwater rancl
he put the place in charge Of his new
foreman. Sagebrush Charley. and weh
out to q hunting cabin he had bull
IN tho TortiIla mountaina Here h