Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-11-30

UUTSHS U(AOoo INT
wilderness. kicking up the snow in lit
tie sparkling furries.
"You didn't want to stay all night !
at the Falls, Ebenw asked one Of the
riders, with a side glance at the hand
some, sullen face of his companion.
And get drunk as lord by Christ
mas morning?- returned the other con-
at guess I'm pretty des-
perate, Dell, but 1 amt mean and
small enough to do that. I've got
some self respect left"
"so've l." rejoined Dellmore quick
". TITS darned lonesome at the
ranch, and it doesn't seems If 1 could
sit around all day tomorrer when 9TH
er folks are keeping Christmas and
lust hear that chink singing around
In that queer Chinese voice OF his. 1t
always reminds me OF how different
things are than they used to be-"
you mean when you were boyF
asked Eben Rowe curiously.
Eyes. There was a big family OF
US, and we always had a ripping old
time. They're all dead now except
me. got used to knowing was all
alone, but whenever Christmas comes
around it seems as if l had to learn
it all over again. I'm glad when it's
the day after" Dellmore looked away
and his strong, gray eyes winked rap
idly.
Same here" said Eben gruffly.
"Of course I'VE had dreams of hav-
ing home some day-getting married
and seeing children around-and I've
always had the idea OF Christmas In
mind whenever l thought about that
home. could see the tree and the
row of stockings stuffed with things
that I-er-we had bought over to the
Falls" Dallmore's bronzed cheek red
dened to a deeper tint tnan the vivid
sunset.
Same here" repeated Eben Rowe
hoarsely.
Suddenly Dellmore threw out his
hand and laughed recklessly. "But
what's the use of talking" he de-
manded. at all came to nothing"
Same here"
Dellmore turned and faced his COM
panion. DO you mean that, Eben,
honest? Or are you joshing me?"
MEAN what?" asked the other stead
ny.
THAT you've had all those expert
ences too? Of course l know about
your being a boy and losing all your
folks same as ! did-thats n common
case-but about having dreams of-Of-
home and youngsters and Christ
mas and having it all come to nothing
after air.
Every word you've said has strucs
home to me-" assured Eben Rowe, bis
dark eyes on his companions face.
ITS queer, too-us being partners
for two years and knowing so little
about each other. Maybe-maybe yours
didn't marry some other Teller" hi
suggested shamefacediy.
"She did" said Rowe briefly.
"Well, he couldn't have been a pin
headed schoolte8cher from the east,
insisted Dellmore, as if he were jeal
Gus Of his own modification.
HE was" came Rowe's astonishir;
reply.
They turned startled questioning
eyes upon each other as questions ant
answers flew fast.
Name wasn't Graham?' demanded
Dellmore.
ut was"
Not Abel Graham?"
That's it
Eben Rowe's handsome face wa
bent downward When he spoke hi
Jaw was set grimly as If to contro
some emotion that would have sway.
Her name was Lucy Farr," he sal
between his teeth.
For a long while after that ther
was no sound save the thud of horses
hoofs and the distant growing of cock
from the ranch which they were al
preaching
"She wasn't to blame" blurted Del
more suddenly. "She never encourage
me-"
me neither" agreed Eben Row
heavily. "a girl can't help it If col
| amt a cowpuncher now, but l wa
then-it was down Larrabee way-fou
years ago." he explained.
Dellmore brushed a huge hand acros
his forehead at was down Larrabe
way with me, too, only it was fiy
years ago. When found out she We
engaged to him l lit out and can
here"
Same with NE, only 1t happened
year later, and that's how we happene
to meet up with each other. Quee
amt it?' Eben Rowe turned to b
partner as they rode through the ga
into the yard.
The other nodded. "'Tis odd.
s'pose IL we'd talked like this befol
we'd have known"
Between the partners the matter
their mutual love for the same girl W;
not again referred to- Each had spoke
/ conf1dentially Ia q rare moment enge
dered by the sunset hour and the IA
that It was Christmas eve. when bal