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


the family. Mrs. Dudley Graham tapped
uneasily on the desk with her eye
glasses and regarded her unruly niece
In puzzlement Wjnifred frowned and
sighed, but was silent. Only Billie
remained unmoved, and 1t was at Billie
that Bess looked. Lounging comfort
ably over in the window seat, he bent
forward, stroking the tawny, glossy
head of Bruce his collie. The tanning
of Bess he had left entirely to his step
mother and sister ever since her arri-
val from Idaho And 1t had not proved
successful tanning.
Understand me, Elizabeth" began
Mrs. Dudley Graham, with infinite tact
and patience. there is no real neces-
sity for your returning to Idaho at
all"
Didn't you Just say 1t was the only
future you could see for me, Aunt
Honoria?" demanded Bess, eyes and
tone belllgerent.
Il said II" responded her aunt firm
y. Your position has changed ma
terially within the past two months
BEFORE your father lost his fortune you
we're an assured success Now, II you
refuse to accept the changed condi
tons, the--er-responsibi of your
position"
You mean II ! refuse to marry
man | don't give a rap for, just be-
cause It's bully chance and he's
laundering good match"
Mrs Dudley Graham raised depre-
eating shoulders. and shrank slightly
from the tone and words. Bess was
30 uncompromislngly frank In her
point OF view that the atmosphere at
West Brooksmere suffered So did
the temper of its mistress But she
had accepted the responsibility of
Bess and meant to fulfil it to the let.
ter
Listen. dear" she began. this
change has happened so suddenly that
1t Is quite natural you should not real
lee your position. Three years ago
your father was the richest silver
mine owner In Idaho. The panic
came"
oh, don't drag that poor old panic
into 1t. auntie," interposed Bess, push
Ing back her brown curls restlessly.
Dad was specializing long before that
happened. He wasn't satisfied with
the ranch and just plenty He went In
over his head and swamped every
thing. Why not tell the truth? Now
there's nothing left but the ranch, is
there, and the stock?"
"Oh. there's a little bit more" hi.
lie spoke up for the first time. In his
lazy noncnalant way. About fifty
thousand. Enough for you to be in.
teresting still to Hartley Chambers"
We'll. ! don't care whether's fifty
thousand or fifty cents. won't marry
Mr.. Chambers. I'd rather 20 home to-
night"
"Bess. you're a perfect little idiot"
said Winifred. with sudden fury.
Whether you love Hartley or not YOU
might at least have sense enough to
see that it is compliment for a man
In his position even to want to marry
girl out of the west like YOU"
Bess leaned back her head and
laughed merrlly, her eyes full of mis-
Poor fellow, he's simply letting Aunt
Honoria mere herd him into the corral
to be roped. and branded. That's why
| wouldn't marry him-one of the rea-
sons. He's too tame. He doesn't even
put up a fight. He isn't worth even
Aunt Honoria's trouble"
Right at this interesting moment I'm
the family council the curtains part
ed at the end of the room and Barton
announced Mr.. Hartley Chambers. and
from the amused CLEAN in Mr.. Cham
bers's gray eyes as he took in the stu.
alton it would appear that the last
ringing remarks OF Bess had reached
his ears
But Bess cared not. Tall and daunt-
less. she arose and cast the burden
Of the strain on the rest Of the com
pany. I'm going for a ride. auntie."
she announced Coming. Bil?"
where to-" asked Bin the indolent
Miss Collier owes me a ride" said
Hartley Chambers deliberately. Since
we are to lose her so soon shall
have to claim it. Condolences. Billie"
Billie shrugged his shoulders and
grinned alphabetically. He did not
envy Mr.. Chambers that ride with the
girl from Idaho. Scornful. mischiey-
BUS, daring. she had accepted the chal.
lenge; and 1t was a challenge. She
knew he had heard her words. and
vet he held her to her promise. Very
well. She would ride with him. And
the three remaining members of the
family council stood in silence for
full Ave minutes after the departure
Of the two.
Then, as her mother left the room
Winifred suddenly sank down In
chair and laid her head on her folded
arms on the table Billie whistled soft
y to himself-waiting He was only
twenty-five. but he was very wise es.
pecially in the ways of West Brooks
mere And in his boyish way he was
mighty proud and fond of this tall
clear-eyed, blonde sister
Say Win, you like Hartley. don't
your" he asked suddenly
yyfDifrad lifted q Hucba1 A..