Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1910-07-01

broad hand and looked over bis rich
fields ripe for the harvest. as far rs the
eye could see from bis point Of van
tage on the ranch house steps the and
was his own.
Because Molly Wade was his only
child. Jim. watching her grow up from
a motherless girlhood. wus full Of
fears and apprehenslons fer her fu-
tures The best Ia the world was zone
TOO good for Molly. and so way to
school Molly went. aud when she came
back. unchanged, unspoiled, he was
thankful.
She came back as simple hearted
and home loving as when she had
taken her fearful farewell Of him. The
SO called broader life for women had
no attraction for Molly Wade. She
was first aud last n home lover-a
homemaker.
Jim sighed even then as be watched
her directing the affairs OF the house
they occupied. Almost any day now
some handsome young man might
come along and rob his nest of its one
birding. And each morning he looked
searchingly into her clear blue eyes
seeking some change that might tell
him Of the threatened invasion Of her
heart. for suitors there were In plenty
at the Wade ranch.
This morning Molly dashed around
from the corral on her little black mare
Daisy.
Where now, houeyT' asked Jim.
"A ride in the corn. father. Can't
you come. dearT' Molly's hair was
like ripened corn silk. and her eyes
were as blue as the sky overhead. The
black Of her hat made a frame for her
delicate skin. tinted with bloom and
warmed by the sun. Slender and 1.-THE.
she swayed In the saddle with a grace
that was only equaled by her dancing.
Sorry. honey, but It's pay day, you
know. The old mans got to stay homo
and work this morning. Don't go too
far. And got your gun handyY"
Molly patted the belt at her trim
waist. where a small revolver cleaned
in the holster. Right here. dad. I'll
be home In time for dinner. So longg"
Don't let any fairy princes run
away with you. daughter" admonish-
ed Jim. you know l worry a lot
about that prince that's coming after
my little gal some day" There was
more gravity than fun In Jim's voice
and Molly felt that this old, old jest
between them was becoming a serious
matter TO her father.
She urged Daisy to the foot OF the
steps and clicked her father lightly on
the shoulder with her whip. Dad,
dear. / really believe you are worried.
I've never even seen the manor
prince-Pd leave you for. There. are
you satisfed?' He leaned down and
kissed her lovely, laughing face, and a
warm smile lighted his grim features.
God bless you. darling. l wan you
20 be happy. but hope it will be many
q day before the prince does come.
Pm a selfish old brute. ehT'
mot a bit, dad. And when he does
come wen set him to work in the
fields and live right along with you"
With a laughing. backward glance
Molly rode away toward the fields OF
tall corn that had not yet fallen prey
to the swapping reapers.
A thousand acres Of cor whisper
ing In the wind! 1t was like a thick
forest. thought Molly. as Daisy thread
ed her way daintily through the tall
stalks.
Overhead the yellowed leaves rustled
crisply. On either side they reached
long. luttering fingers to brush Molly's
rose leaf face or to touch a lock Of her
soft hair. Her eyes grew dreamy as
she listened to tho whispering. and a
look came INTO her face-a look that
her father had never
Molly had had her day dreams-in-
deed, she had dreamed of a lover who
came out OF a fascinating world OF
which she had caught a mere glimpse
IN her school days. The prince who
would come and claim her one day
would come spinning down the state
road In a mOtorcar. Handsome he
would be and merry and rolllcking as
80 many Of those gay Automobiles APP
peared to be.
But when Il came TO the wrench Of
parting with her dear father Molly's
dream always changed I one where
the dashine motorist became enamored
OF farm life and elected to settle down
at Wade's ranch for a lifetime, with q
huge red car stabbed among the horses.
All at once Molly drew rein and lis
tened to a sound other than the Sigh
ing OF the corn. There was the thud
thud. Of hOofs In another aisle near by
Perhaps It was her father. or, at any
rate. It would be n Of the men from
the ranch.
"HelloF' called Molly m~usically.
"HellO!7 came back In a mans deer
voice
Az the u lifted his battered fell
Nat Molly realized that he was a stran
ger. and her cheeks grew warm under
ltho gaze OF bis dark eyes. He wai
very good to look upon. young fano
straight and strong. with sun Drowned
face and chestnut hair. Hs blue dan
mel shirt was open NJ the throat. and
the skin below the collar was smooth
and white. Prom the saddle bow
swung n bundle rolled iu a blanket.
Il nm afraid I've lost my way.
said the stranger pleasantly. "Tv'
lrepn wandering IN this cornteld foi
ne last fhrse hours. perhaps you car