Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-08-07
CHAPTER Xxx.
The LAUGH Of a Woman.

Inc laugh OF Woman.
Within al hour Marion. working
over hat in the trimming room. was
startled 20 hear the cottage door omen
and 90 see Dicksie quie unconcernedly
walk In. To Marion's exclamation OF
surprise she returned only q laugh Il
have changed my mind. dear am
going to stay all night"
Marion kissed her approviuglv.
Really. YOU are getting so sensible 7
shant know you. Dicksie In fact. I
believe this is the most sensible thing
you were ever guilty Of"
Glad YOU think so. returned Dick
sic. dryly unpinning her hat: Ger
tainly hope il Is. MT McCloud per
suadod me 81 wasn't right for me TO
ride home alone. and knew better
than he what danger there was for
him Ia riding home with me-so here
! am. He is coming over for supper.
too, In a few minutes"
When McCloud arrived ne brought
with him portcrhouse steak. and
Marion was again driven from the
kitchen. AT the end Of an hour. Dick.
sic, engrossed over the broiler. was
steak, and McCloud more engrossed.
was watching her. when a difident
and surprised-looking person appeared
in the kitchen doorway and put his
hand undecidedly on the casing While
he stood. Dicksie turned abruptly 10
McCloud
oh, by the way / have forgotten
somethingl VIII you do me a favor?'
Certainly! Do you want money or
a pass?"
NO. not money" said Dicksle. lift
Ing the steak on her fork. though
you might give me a pass"
But ] should hate 10 have you go
away anywhere"
Il don't want 20 go anywhere. but /
never had a pass. and think it would
be kind OF nice TO have one just TO
keep. Don't you?"
Why, yes; you migSt put il in the
bank and have it drawing interest"
This steak is-Do they give inter
est on passes ,"
We'll, a good deal OF interest is felt
In them-On this division at least
What is the favor?"
Yes. what is it, How can l think (?
Oh, ] know IL they don't put Jim in
box stall tonight he will Kill some Of
the horses over there. VIII you tele-
phone the stables?"
Wont you give me the number and
let me telephone2" asked voice be-
hind them. They turned Ia astonish-
ment and saw Whispering Smith. Il
am surprised" he added, calmly. to
see a man OF your intelligence.
George. trying To broil a steak with
the lower door OF your stove wide
open. Close the lower door and cut
out the draft through the fire. Don't
stare. George; put back the broller.
And haven't you made radical mis-
take TO start WITH" he asked. step
ping between the confused couple.
Are you not trying to bron u roast OF
beef?"
Where did you come from?" de.
manded McCloud, as Marion came in
from the dining room
Don't search me the very frat
thing" protested Whispering Smith.
But we've been frightened to death
here for "a hours. Are you really alive
and unhurt? This young lady rode in
20 miles this morning and came to the
office in tears TO get news of you"
Smith looked mildly at Dicksie. Did
you shed tear for me? / should like
to have seen just one, Where did |
come from2 / reported Ia wild over
the telephone ten minutes ago. Didn't
Marion tell you? She is so forgetfuI.
That is what causes wrecks, Marion
have been in the saddle since three
o'clock this morning. thank you. and
have had nothing for five days but
raw steer garnished with sunshine"
The four sat down to supper. and
Whispering Smith began 20 talk. He
told the story of"the chase to the
Cache, the defiance from Rebstock.
and the tardy appearance or the men
he wanted. "Du Sang meant to shoot
bis way through US and make dash