The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-06-02
INES CLAIM

, say until both were in the saddle rid
ing northeast from the valley,
straight UP into the hills above
Ajados. then he asked: What's the
trouble?"
| Shes sick. that's what She amt
been strong ever since she came out
mere in the spring. and the summer
works laid her up. She's got one of
the women from Channing's 10 help
her, halfbreed chink. and she's try
ing To be game, and stick out her
time, and hold the claim down.
why did she take 1t up" Lewis
| stared ahead of him. Why should
she, OF all women in the world, take
up homestead claim"
Ask her Yourself" retorted Barry.
Sne don't like me. / worked for her
IN the spring. cutting out timber and
building her shack for her. and fixing
Things TO rights, and | didn't want 10
take any money for it,"
Why not?''
Because | asked her to marry me
instead. SO she don't believe In M
sood intentions no more"
see said Lewis. He could imar-
me harty proposing to Ines Condeu
Lhes reached the little clearing a..
hlgh noon. The spruce trees vrau,
from the front door one cou,d 1naL
out over miles and miles OF the .weep-
ing valleys about Ajados. Molly. the
woman from channings, sat in the
NORWAY. half asleep. She lookea
worn out, and tired. but reused IN az
me men dropped from their horses
ana hobbled them.
She's better" she told them, shes
oeeh f'ehtE sick but the fever's gone
now and she's thinking OF going
nome ana giving up. She Amt here
in me mouse. Shes gone down yon-
aer to The pines there on the edge Of
the guich'' Va
II Was there that Lewis found her
sitting on the rocks, beneath .be
sprufss ner dear. clear-clit <ana
turned toward the far off spot ubora
the Lewis ranch lay. And lust for
once Lewis found the way clear He
mad often wondered Just how ne
should ask the woman he loved IA
marry him, just what tender. dearest
words In all the language should win
ner Tor him. and now. now. he ben.
DOWN behind her. and folded bo,h
arms closely about her. and as she
iried 10 struggle he laid his Inns or
hers. When she LAY still in his srn o.'
ne spoke. looking into the eve. ina.
faitered at his glance
bid you come out here on my
account? ." ny
es. SHE said II wantad "a
SHOW >ou that ! was not the nsa,ass
sort OF brainiess toy YOU Thought me
knew | could night this nfs bara
with YOU. IL yon---"
And / dared not ask Won su.o,
heart" SWEET
Why notq"
How could ask girl who uas
used to wealth
bat never vas. YOU dear d.a~
oose she laughed. i was not an
honored guest at AJados at ali
l'aa oeen visiting wealthy school,
mate. and was asked by courtesy
no.hihg more. | thought at frs,
mat you went becanse-welf because
IopHeiua could not see his way TIA
marrying the heggar maid this time
ana tnen BILLIE told me the truth
soout YOU, ana how YOU were COM
Ihs to this section to take UP a home
sieau claim, and so came too
Wen use this for a summer house.
1eHi. sara Lewis The ranch liz
arger and more fitted to q honey
moon"
They strolled back to the shack |
.ogether. and Barty. watching them
rs they came slowly up the path (
turned away and went 10 get his
pony
Thanks old man, Lewis told |
aim. as he put out his hand.
Thanks? Man. | didn't do IT for
'ou. II was for her. God bless her !"
snd he went whistiing down the trail