The Baltimore County union, the Towson news., 1909-11-06


you know it AS for me- he
drew a photograph from his breast
pocket have told no one else in
the world but here is the only girl |
should be willing to die for.
The foreman looked long at the
pictured face. Worth dyin' for or
livin' for, sure," he said.
The train slowed down at the sta
ton. Drawn up in line on their
horses was the entire outfit from the
ranch. When Burt reluctantly ap-
peared on the platform cheers for
"Old Dave" swept over Talola, under
cover of which cow-puncher spurred
near Heath to say, You'd best break
the news that his girls gone back on
him. Went down to her sisters to
get married, and comm in presently
on the up-train. It's a damn shame /"
A train came putting in, and from
its single passenger-car came forth the
Talola post-mistress followed by
lanky, light-haired, loud-talking
youth. The girl, with eyes and
cheeks afame, looked startlingly
pretty. At sight of Dave Burt she
stopped, then came on with little
toss of the head and a resumption OF
her habitual coquetry.
why, this is quite surprise, Mr..
Burt You chose to stay away so
long-not much hurt, either, heard
-that-that I thought you were nev-
er comm back. You-you certainly
didn't hurry any on my account !"
Heath need have felt no apprehen-
sion, for the big ranchman's touch on
his belt was purely accidental. He
stood still, as though stunned for a
moment, then drew long breath, as
he had in the dark that night on the
mesa. No. No, l didn't hurry
back, Annulette, !" he said gently. /
didn't know there was any call. !"
His eyes travelled to the bridegroom.
Let's see. Don't l remember you
somewhere? Oh, yes, they had you
locked up once at Windy Row for
bein' found on the highway with a
suspicious lot of shootin' irons and
things. Found out afterward that
you were as harmless as you looked.
Your folks advertised for you. Had
just been a-readin' dime novels and
goin' to Wild West shows till they
went to your head, and you'd run
away from home to be stage-robber
and bad man., Good Lord ~ He
broke into a short laugh, more pain
full to Heath than a groan would have
been. How old are you ?"
None of your" began the boy,
and changed it to a reluctant-"eigh-
teen.'
And she's twenty-one. Well" !"
laying a hand on the bridegroom's
shoulder, don't you be afraid, SON.
n.y." A crimson flush burned under
the youths freckles. You just be-
have yourself and be good to her, and
I'll take care of you.'
But Heath saw contraction of
pain across his face, which seemed
suddenly gray and haggard. He re-
membered all the ranchers stories OF
the foreman's devotion, lavish and
single-hearted, to this girl, and an old
phrase went through his mind: |
am distressed for thee, my brother !"
yet he dared offer no comfort. Then
he turned and faced the ranchman.
IF you hadn't saved me on the mesa
and nursed me afterward,' he said,
this might not have happened. You
will not let me thank you; but what
you did remains with me, and such
as am, Dave Burt, / am yours.
The two men looked steadily and
deeply into each others eyes. Then
Burt stretched out hand and took
the others into his. It's worth the
price, he said simply and the souls
of these two were knit together.