The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1911-01-06

BY IZOLA FORESTER


Just starting in, I'd set old Hart a
pace"
Out on the open road that led hill
ward 1t did not appear that "old Hart"
needed pacesetter He was doing
very well alone. For perhaps the first
time In her lively life, Bess was silent
and listening attentively. Once or
twice a quick flush swept over her
face and left it, despite its youth, full
OF a certain womanliness and serious
intent.
But how do you know" she de
manded suddenly He has never said
one single word"
How do you know" smiled back
Chambers. 81 have never spoken one
word to her"
And Bess laughed low. joyous
laugh. and bent low over her horses
neck. as sweeping willow branch
came below her hat brim with soft
swish. Love is blind. isn't it?" she
said.
AS bat" replied Chambers,
cheerfully. And the trouble Is, we
let pleasant old ladies like-well, like
somebody we both know, manage the
outward view for us. Now. listen to
sage. Billies youngster, and he's
facing college. 1t won't do him any
good. What he needs is the fresh ton
ing up that only life out west would
give him. He's an anomaly that
sometimes happens here In this east
ern society of ours He's primitive,
earnest overgrown cub with big
ideals and great intentions. and he
hates the life here. Another thing. he
has couple OF elder brothers ahead
OF him already entering the business
game. It's up to Billie to make good
himself, somehow He won't do 1t,
loafing around on a football team as
halfback, and running swell frat
suite for four years. I'm going back
to ask Winifred to be my wife. Can't
you manage Billie?"
Manage Billie?" She lifted Devil
dered eyes to his.
Take him west with you. You don't
like 1t here. l saw you were home.
sick weeks ago. when you first came
out. Let the boy tell you what he's
longing to, and take him back with
you, and find happiness in Gods coun.
try, while you're both unspoiled young
sters."
Bess rode along silently. She was
eighteen, and as she listened to the
even, kindly voice beside her, she felt
even ten years less. Instead OF the
low Westchester rolling land, she saw
the home ranch, circled by mountain
peaks and purple haze that wreathed
primeval country. waiting for the
newer blood for newer hopes to stand
by it. and beNeve in It's promise. And
she thought Of the look in Billie's eyes
when she told him OF the land she
loved.
But she said no more. When they
rode up to the broad portico. Cham.
bers dismounted, and she watched
him as he strolled leisurely along the
smooth walks to where Winifred |
stood, white-clad and fairhaired, gath |
ering the chrysanthemum blooms. Bess
stood with one small-booted foot rest |
ing on the first step, striking at a
clump of ferns with her whip-and
thinking. Suddenly came Billies voice |
from the veranda rail overhead.
"Well?"
She did not look up
is 1t to be Mrs. Hartley Cham. |
bers?" She could have laughed from |
ebaor bopninacc of tho uyra+cbod
in the boys voice. Il don't blame
you" he went on. ANY girl would
choose this If she had the chance in |
preference to an Idaho ranch OF
course. the mater is your own aunt,
and my stepmother. so | suppose I'm
prejudiced against her good advice
But if | dared"
Then Bess looked up at him Cow.
ard" she whispered. | dare you"
He stared at her for a moment.
then took the railing at one spring.
crushing the ferns and flowers. and
landing beside her. with a new born
authority about his voice and manner.
"Bess," he demanded, have you re-
fused Hartley"
Bess laughed. Billie, Billie boy if
you aren't just like stumbling cub
broncho! He never asked me to mar.
ry him. He's talking it over with
Winifred this minute I'm going back
to Idaho"
And I'm going with you" Billie's
tone was low. He caught her to him
almost roughly. "Bess. look at me-"
81 won't" She struggled rebelliols-
ly. billie don't They'll see you"
They" Billie retorted triumphant
~ They're too busy. themselves"
Mrs Dudley Graham. on the second
verandah above, bent forward to catch
the next words. but everything was
very quiet. She adjusted her eve
glasses thoughtfully. and smiled
Even a willful Cinderella may be dis.
by the right prince.