The Delta independent., 1911-03-17

to make triumphant exit. Il got her
ratified" he roared as he went out.
shell remember me-"
The diners We're all smiling, and
Gregg took malicious satisfaction in
her defeat. She had held herself
haughtily apart from him. and he was
glad to see her humbled.
Leaving her place behind the coun-
ter. she walked through the room with
uplifted head and burning eyes. her
heart filled with bitterness and fire.
She hated the whole town, the whole
state at the moment. Were these .the
chivalrous short grass knights" she had
heard so much about-these the large
souled western founders of empire ?"
At the moment she was in the belief
that all the heroes Of her childhood
had been of the stamp of Neill Ballard.
In the hall her pride. her sense of
duty. came back to her. and she halted
her fleeing feet. Il will not be beaten"
she declared. and her lips straighten-
ed. Il will not let these dreadful
creatures make fool of me in that
way"
Thereupon she turned and went
back. pale now. but resolved to prove
herself the mistress of the situation.
/ Fortunately Redfield had returned.
and his serene presence helped her to
recover complete control of herself.
She remained coldly blank to every
compliment. and by this means she
subdued them.
The doctor, appearing suddenly in
the door, beckoned to her. and. leav-
ing her place, she crossed to where he
stood. Your mother needs you" he
said curtly. Go TO her and keep her
quiet for an hour or two if you can"
What is the matter. doctor?"
Il can't tell you precisely. but you
must get her on a diet and keep her
there. l will write out some lists for
you after my luncheon"
Lee found her mother sitting in such
detection as she had never known her
to display, though she fred up sufi.
ciently 10 say: That cussed little
thimblerigger has been throwing
great big scare into me. He says I've
got TO get outdoors, live on raw meat
and weak tea and walk FIVE miles a
day. That's what he says" she add
ed in renewed astonishment at the
mans audacity. who's at the cash?"
"Mr. Redfeld," replied Lee TN go
right back"
NO, you won't. I'm no dead horse
yet" She struggled to her feet and
started for the cash register. Il won't
let no little Omaha doughie like that
put me out of business
Despite all warnings she walked out
into the dining room and took her &C.
customcd seat with set and stern face,
while her daughter went to the table
where the doctor sat and explained
her inability to manage her mother
That's your problem" he replied
coolly. Then rapidly, succinctly and
clearly he went over the case and laid
out course of treatment. Out of it
all Lee deduced that her mother was
very ill indeed though not in danger
of sudden death.
sizes on the chute" said Fessen-
den land everything depends upon her
own action whether she takes the
plunge this winter or twenty years
from now. She's n strong woman. or
has been. but she has. presumed upon
her strength. She used to live out of
doors. she tells me. during all her ear
ly life. and now. shut in by these
walls. working sixteen hours a day.
she is killing herself. Get her out II
you can and cut out stimulants.'
AS he rose and approached the coun-
ter Lie showed couple of gold pieces
across the board. THAT wipes you
off my map" she grimly declared. Il
hope you enjoyed your ride"
ITS up to you. madam" he replied.
pocketing the gold. Good day.
I'll be down again in a day or
two" called Redfield.
The machine began to pur and spit
and the wheels to spin. and Lee Vir-
ginia was left to face her mothers OBJ
stinate resistance alone. She felt sud
denly very desolate. very weak and
very poor. what IL mother should
die?" she asked herself.
Gregg was standing before the coun-
ter talking with Lie as Lee returned.
and he said. with a broad smile. I've
just been saying I'd take this hotel
off your mothers hands provided you
went with it.
In the mouths OF some men tneSe
words would have been harmless
enough, but coming from the tongue
Of one whose life could only be OBJ
scurely hinted at the jest was an in
suit The girl shuddered with repul-
sion and Lie spoke out:
NOW. see here, Bullfrog. I'm dead
on the hoof and all that, but neither
you nor any other citizen like you can
be funny with my girl. She's not for
you. Now, that's final! She amt your
kind"
Cha tiIrned Tn Lee "Im hungry.