Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-02-12


downright scared" lie answered 81
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
"rhe 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 it. We will just feel it-just be
it,"
She laid her head upon Jacks knee
He placed his arm lightly. but pro-
tectingly, over her shoulder. They sat
in silence listening to the Mexicans
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
that you never loved unit! YOU loved
me-
Echo sat upright With start What
| do you mean?" she exc llimed. "Ct
course love you and you only but the
future and the past are beyond our
control. Unless you know of some
thing that is going to happen viii, Ii
may mar our love your question is
| silly. not at all like your Mother Goose
nonsense-that was dear. Aud. as for
the past, you mean Dick Lane
Yes, mean Dick Lane" confessed
Payson in a subaued tone II am
jealous Of him-that is. of even his
memcry."
THAT is not like Jack layson. What
has come over you? 1t j.; the shadow
/ of your thunder bird. You know what
my feeling was for Dick Lane and
only difference being that now | know
1t never was love. Even if it were 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 it
is with 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 your
And the girl laid her face within her
hands on her lovers knee and burst
into tit of sobbing.
Jack PaySon shut his teeth.
well, since have lowered myself
so far in 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 it again. But l, too. have
troubles of the mind. am as | am,
and you ought to know 1t. said
was jealous of Dick Lanes memory
1t is more. am jealous of Dick Lane
himself. If he should return, would
you leave me and go with him-as his
wife,"
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 it. Yes; If
Dick Lane returns true to his promise
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
filling in Jim Allen. He regretted that
he had touched so dangerously near
the subject of Dick Lanes return in
talking to Bud and Polly His burn
ing desire was to be safely married to
Echo Allen before the Inevitable re.
turn of her former lover
"Fool that | was not to ask her one
more question. Would she forgive her
husband where she would not forgive
her lover? What will she think of me
when all is discovered. as it surely
will be? Well, | must take my chances
Events will decide"
On his return to Sweetwater ranch
he put the place in charge Of his new
foreman. Sagebrush Charley. and went
out to n hunting cabin he had BULL
In the Tortilla mountains Here hi
fought the problem over with his con
science-and his selfshness won. lie
returned. fixed in his decision to sup
less Dick Lanes letter and to &c