Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-12-20

over the days, finally paused at the
thirtieth, hesitating, and turning
white face to his friends.
1T isn't on the calendar" he
said in a shocked voice. IT isn't on
this calendar-has anybody got an
other one?'
1T isn't on any calendar, you ga
loot shouted Crangle noisi'y.
Haven't you ever heard that old rhyme
about Thirty days hath September,
April, June and November Why. the
lady was joshing you!"
Crangle was the only one who
laughed in the white agonized face CT
Peter Barton. He looked from one
10 another of his mates and saw only
pity in their glauces. He reached up
and swung his hat to his head
again.
Il guess it was q mistake-she was
playing a joke on me-" he said thick
" and was gone. After a few moments
of tense silence they heard the clatter
of the hoofs Of the gray horse
Il wouldn't believe it OF her nut
tered Ben Holconlb to LatlinS under
cover OF a newspaper. They had seen
how it was with Peter and Boss Cages
daughter
You don't suppose-you don't sup
pose she's still hankerinS after that
fellow from down Tucson way?' whis.
rered Latin.
"Dentman. you meaI"
The other nodded. Miss Nan was
some took with him, and when ne
went away so sudden and we heard
he was married, she looked mighty
peaked for awhile"
I'm afraid maybe she did mind,
though we ought not TO put it into
words" said Ben chivalrously. "Scme-
how, I'm sorry size took it into her
head TO treat Peter that way.
"'Tisn't like her to do it-not if she
knew it was going to hurt him. was
Latlin's reply.
During the months that followed
Peters proposal, he carefully avoided
approaching Nancy Gage. On the big
ranch that was an easy matter, ana
the few times they met each other I'M
expected!y Peter Bartons eyes were
turned steadily away, while he barred
his head before the girl who had tlout-
ed him.
Nancy, at first merciless in the sting
OF hei. own love affair. assumed that
he had understood and accepted her
rude rejection OF him. But when she
met him time after time and saw the
set gravity OF his features and the
somberness Of his gray eyes, she grew
a little fearful OF what she had done.
After awhile she found herself think
ing often OF the stern-faced cowboy
who avoided her whenever possible.
After awhile her remorseful thoughts
of Peter Barton quite crowded out her
nccting fancy for the brilliant Dent
man from Tucson. and she found her
self longing for an opportunity 10 apoL-
oaniZe 10 Peter for the wrong she had
done him. Cnce she rode out delib-
eratelv with The intention OF throwing
herself in his way that she might
have a chance to ask his forgive
ness.
1t was the last day OF September,
and the parched grass lay Fat on the
plains. she had heard her father tell
Peter TO ride over 10 Honey Creek post
Office for the weekly mail. and from
her window she had seen his we'll
Knit figure on the gray horse sweep
away from the corral and out Of sight.
She dressed herself in becoming rid
ing dress al linen that matched her
eyes, and without n hat on her sunny
head, she mounted the cream-co!ored
pony and was away.
That was how it happened that Pc
ter cane across her on the shoulder OF
Il hill as he had on that May day
when he had asked her 10 marry him.
He had been whistlng softly as he
rode. and she had been watching his
face with a strange usefulness in her
own when he suddenly looked up and
saw her. Then the sound died on his
lips and his face stitfened like
grave mask and he lifted mis- hat.
Nancy Burton put forth tand and
caught the bride Of the gray horse.
Peter. Peter Barton-don't. look like
that" she half sobDed.
Gently Peter disensagod her fingers.
"you needn't worry yourself about me,
Miss Nan" he said kindly. I'm AL
right, although orghr to be larruDed
good for going around with long
face" He smiled cheerFully, but
Nancy Gage was not to be consolcd
in that way. With little cry she
dropped her head on the pony's neck
and s0bbed bitterly.
Peter Barton was frightened. Miss
Nan. what is it, he stammorcd cS-
citedly. III its that Dcntman chap
I'll-rll have hiia-'
Its Yourself. Peter Barton--l don't
want anyone but you and | never did!
sobbed Nancy. What said 10 you be-
fore was spoken when J was feeling
unhappy and what | say toda: ] mean
nrTa,.y-word--T do"