The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1909-09-24
CHAPTER xvIli.-continued.

Marion put her hand for moment
on his coat sleeve; he looked at Dick
sic with another laugh and spoke to
her because he dared not look toward
Marion. Going back tonight. do you
say? You never are?"
Dicksie answered quite in earnest:
ooh. but we are. We must!"
"Why did you come, then? It's
taken half the night to get here, and
will take a night and half at least to
get back"
eve came to ask Mr.. McCloud for
some grain sacks-you know, they
have nothing to work with at the
ranch" said Marion; land he said we
might have some and we are to send
for them in the morning."
II see. But we may as well talk
plainly" Smith looked at Dicksie
"You are as brave and as game as a
girl can be, l know, or you couldn't
have done this. Sacks full of sand,
with the boys at the ranch to handle
them, would do no more good to-mor-
row at the bend than bladders. The
there low. A hundred men that know
the game might check things yet if
they're there by daylight. Nobody
else, and nothing else on Gods earth
can"
There was silence before the fire.
McCloud broke it: Il can put the 100
men there at daylight, Gordon, if Miss
said McClould.
Marion sprang to her feet. ooh,
will you do that, Mr.. McCloud?"
McCloud looked at Dicksie. IF they
are wanted"
Dicksie tried to look at the fire. eve
have hardly deserved help from Mr..
McCloud at the RANCH" she said at
last.
He put out his hand. IT must object.
The first wreck ever had on this d.
vision Miss Dunning rode 20 miles to
offer help. Isn't that true? Why, l
would walk 100 miles to return the
offer to her. Perhaps your cousin
would object" he suggested, turning
to Dicksie; "but no, think we can
manage that. Now what are we going
to do? You two can't 90 back to.
night, that is certain"
eve must"
"Then you will have to go in boats y
said Whispering Smith.
"But the hill road?"
"There is five feet of water across 1t
In half a dozen places. swan my
horse through, SO ought to know"
1T is all back-water, of course, Miss
Dunning." explained McCloud mot
dangerous"
But moist" suggested Whispering
Smith, Especially in the dark"
McCloud looked at Marion. ''Then
let's be sensible" he said. "You and
Miss Cunning can have my tent"
us this where you stay?" asked
Dicksie.
-Four of us sleep in the cots, when
we can, and an indefinite number lie
on the ground When it rains"
Which is your bed?"
Il usually sleep there" He pointed
to the one on the right.
II thought so. It has the blanket
iAOiuSu udCh 81 ucdIly, JUST dS II CueTe
were sheets under it. I'll. bet there
aren't any,"
do you think this is summer re
sort? Knisely, my assistant, sleeps
there. but Of course we are never both
in bed at the same time; he's down
the river tonight. It's sort Of con
Itinuous performance. you know" Nc
Cloud looked at Dicksie. "Take of
your coat, won't you, please?"
Whispering Smith was trying t
drag a chest from the foot Of the cot
and Marion stood watching. "Wha,
are you trying to do?"
Get this over to the table for {
seat"
SILLY man! why don't you move the
.ab1e?"
Dicksie was taking OF her coat
How inviting 1t all Isl" she smiled
and this is where you stay?"