Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-01
The Emerald Ring

London, and Pm tired of my very shadow. The men
are so respectful they won't sit on their own
veranda and listen to my violin They 60 indoors and
play cards; and the other day the mail remained all
afternoon at the barn because the who brought
couldn't find Jan to come and hand it to me Mon
Deni Gentlemen, you give me too much majesty, she
quoted whimscally l almost fell the neck of this
lady" She contemplating her dirty comrade. The
She came with her husband and children hour ago,
and glad to see some one it's proper tor me to
speak to
always filled him with content She was so plucky with
that bright irony that had malice but was like fine
meath it. what golden tenderness and depth of feeling
All but was there? Was she really tender or really
hard straight through?
Have you missed me D." he asked, deliberately
She flushed but did not turn.
" You're very irrelevant and unexpected.
Unexpected maybe, but irrelevant? That question
is behind everything | say do"
She laughed, bushing and bewitching, a born
quette.
He studied the squaw. What was the use? 1t was to
Florence Bengers isolation that he was indebted TOR
whatever kindness and frendliness she had shown him,
He merely of keeping bright her weapons
of coquetry He looked off YEARLY and the girl, who
fenced in spite of her lonely heart and against her WILL
glanced up at his silence, but he was staring inenty
over her head.
Some more callers coming there, should think"
train of horsemen in Indian file were riding along
outside the fence, picking way of their own to the
The squaw turned and grnned
Come stay here one night" she suggested tenta-
lively, looking at Miss Belinger.
81 don't think so" said Dunstan 81 don't think so.
I'm going to see Wing, if you don't mine"
The beacon had died down been put out but there
all the width of the Pacific between Wings immo-
bty and that of the squaw He had pile of plates in
his arm putting them around for supper, and he did not
"No like Inlian-tlnk you beler come. Got one
famby--four more men come far up road. Been hunt
lng-got guns-shoot some boly may be-
He did not stop one moment dealing out his plates,
while he talking.
The Indians, who had dsmounted at the barn,
filing towards the house, and Dunsan went
the open space to meet them
Got 'em support" the first one asked, placatngy.
Eyes, we'll give you supper then you water your
horses and come along You can't stay here; but you
put up at my place across the valley The leader
looked sullen
"Stay here" he said, doggedly.
Through the opposite door the cowboys could be seen
coming for supper four of them also, and he
dered if they had pistols He went back through the
house as they reached the garden
We got company for supper" said JAM with grin.
They can't stay here JAM five young bucks like that
dare say they're peacefu enough"
Five! Dere vass only one" he stopped suddenly.
The Indians, in fringed buskins, sombreros their
black heads were sitting in a motionless against
the dinng-room wall
"Hooray for the Eden Museel" cried one of the
men, wanderer from the ends of the earth and an
other looking in his shoulder, gave low whistle
Instantly the Indians stood up with glancing eyes,
watching through the open door
81 Better have gun" Two of the had already
gone back to the Hall for pistols and they loaded i'll
the garden. quiet but jubiant with excitement.
but they must be made TO understand that they can't
stop more than fifteen minutes to eat You men will
please serve them; stuff EN- full and make haste
He faced about and went in the diningroo where
the Indians stood carved in wood only their eyes NOV
ing-they had made up their minds to fight
" Are you on your way to Klamnath?" said Dunstan,
haughtily.
Yes" said the fellow involuntarily
Well, you are welcome to good food here then you
must come along"
And he walked through the house to the front veranda
Miss Bellinger looked up contentedly.
&c Her is Dolores she said a trace of the
California missions. Isn't it interestng?"
"Very. Dolores, your husband wants you to go and
The girl looked at him "Shes my guest" she said,
quietly.
said shortly IF you'll allow me- I'll fetch her wagon
down" He was off while he spoke.
Allow you'll" 1t was only murmur but it fol-
Then shot came from the dining-room. Behind the
Indians Dunstan opened the door quietly, and took in
the situation at a glance
File out" he said standing back and drawing "The
first man who moves hand will be shot through the
back"
They fell over each other obediently
Dolores and the children covering in the wagon
at the front gate, and Dunstan, with order to Jan to
get in and drive went back to the house.
He took off his sombrero. I'm so sorry" he said;
i afraid of that
She looked up at him, mixture of fun and rebellion
smoldering in her eyes
~ wanted playmate So" she said.
1t is very lonely for you he answered perfunctory,
as is the Engishmans won't while his heart beat with
ooh"
The sound escaped against her will; the dumb appeal
shook his heart out of control and sent him pleading
to her.
81 can't bear i-I love you desperately miseraby, day
and night What is it you want?"
She had turned away at his first step forward, and
now, still turned, she answered in strained voice.
You might speak to me"
"Florriel"
And comfort if you had any sense!" 1t
murmur that had the familiar echo of her maddenng
coquetry. His arms were around her.
"Ho hol" voices outside called to the horses;
STEADY there"
She pushed him away, laughing
He took off curious deep-set emerald that he wore
on his little finger and put it on her finger.
Now you belong to me-" he said.
An hour later he dismounted his cavacade at the
bungalow steps, and the astonshed Gordon took out his
pipe.
" Holy Willie! Is il Buffalo Bill ?" t~
Some of my friends, to spend the night, an
swered Dunstan dreamily.