The Huttig news., 1909-09-25
ILLUSTRATIONS BY ANDRE BOWLS
cooYeIoYr 6Y CM0s 5cAeteq5 5oV5

mistake. She cast a burning look or Fuss. It would do no good to storm now. Dieksie only wrung her hands and returned to McCloud.
 He rose in the happiest mood He could not see what torment r'cksie was in. and took the water wi snf asking himself why it trembled in heY hand. Her restrained manner did not worry him, for he felt that his fight at the river was won, and the prospect of fried chicken composed him. Even the long hour before Fuss. calm and inviting in white cap and apron. ap- peared to announce supper. passed like dream. When Dieksie rose to lead the way to the dining room, Me Cloud walked on air the high color about her eyes intoxicated him. Not till half the fried chicken, with many compliments from McCloud, had disap peared. and the plate had gone out for the second dozen biscuits did he notice Dicksies abstraction.
 I'm sure you need worry no longer about the water" he observed reas suringly. q think the worst of the
  danger is past
 Dicksie looked at the tableclotf with wide-open eyes. q feel sure that 1t is. l am no longer worrying about that"
 It's nothing I can do or leave m done, is it?" asked McCloud, laughing a little as he implied in his tone that she must be worrying about some thing.
 Dicksie made a gesture of alarm "Oh. no, no; nothing!"
 "It's pretty good plan not to worry about anything"
 Do you think so?''
 Why, we all thought so last night Heavens!" McCloud drew back in his chair. T never offered you piece oI chicken! What have l been think ing of?"
 "Oh, I wouldn't eat it anyway! cried Dicksie.
 You wouldn't? It is delicious. Do have plate and wing at least"
 Really I could not bear to think of it," she said. pathetically.
 He spoke lower. Something is troubling you. I have no right to a confidence. know" he added, taking a biscuit.
 Fer eyes fell to the floor ..It is nothing. Pray. don't mind me. May l fill your cup?" she asked, looking up. T am afraid I worry too much over what has happened and can't be helped. Do you never do that?"
 McCloud, laughing wretehedly. tore Caesars last leg from his body. No. indeed. I 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 arriyeo with word that McCloud was wanted at the river His chagrin at being dragged away was so apparent that Marion and Dicksie sympathized with him and laughed at him. "I never worry about what can't be helped" Dicksie murmured.
 He looked at Marion. That's a 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, l guess, so you will excuse her, I know. I 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. .1 shall be going with you, shall I not And if the messenger has gone back I shall have to guide you. You never could find your way alone.'
 But I can go,' interposed Marion, rising.
 Not at all; you can not go!" an nounced Dicksie. T can protect both Mr McCloud and myself. If he should arrive down there under the wing oi two women he would never hear the last of it. I am mistress here still, l think; and I sha'n't be leaving home you know, to make the trip."
 McCloud looked at Marion. q 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
 q 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. '.I could not lose it. can ride over any part of this country at noon or at midnight, asleep or awake, with saddle or without, with bridle or without, with trail or without I've ridden every horse that has ever come on the Crawling Stone ranch could ride when I 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 a gale from the south and IL n