The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-11-07

: She took 1t, rather awl wardly per
haps but very resolutely.
Il thought heard something in the
bushes back there" she said in extenu-
alton
1T was the wind" be vouchsa fed.
but his thoughts went at once TO Blake
Inyoluntarily he looked over his shOul-
der and quickened his pace. She felt
his arm s,iffen.
I'm quite sure It was a cow" she
said.
Are you afraid OF cows:"
''Dreadfuly."
And you're not afraid Of elephants
| or canIels?'
"Oh. dear, no; they're tame" She
seemed in doubt as to the wisdom OF
expressing aloud the thoughts that trou
bled her Twice she peered up into the
face of her companion. Then she reso
lutely delivered herself. ~ do hope IA
ther won't see Us, David
You poor girl" he cried gently. "I'm
sorry If this gets you into trouble. De-
mise didn't tell me. She
"Oh. Denise did II on purpose" she
said. quite g,ibly. Il suppose she thinks
we're going to fall In love with each
other''
David was grateful to the darkness
II hid his blush Of confusion.
but that's perfectly silly" went on
the soft voice ut his elbow. II Just
want to be your friend. David. My
mother adores you. So do I. but 10 Just
the same way that she does. IL
couldn't think Of being 80 ridiculous as
to fall in love with you"
He resented this. II don't see why
you say that" lie said. But" very
hastily. "Im not asking you to do 1t.
l'lease don't misunderstood me. r.
Mother and | are SO sorry for you.
David" she went on earnestly. We
we don't believe a word of-of-well,
you know" She was suddenly dis
tressed.
How do you know that I'm not
GulltyT he cried bitterly. You have
only my word for It or course, I'd
deny it. Anybody would. even II he
was as guilty as sin. IL might have
done 1t. for all you know
"Oh. don't-don't talk Ike that,
Davidg'
Nearly every one with the show
thinks ! did 1t. II doesn't matter to
them, either. They like me just as
well. It's-it's as II | were a friend
less. homeless dog. They're tender
hearted. They'd do as much for the
dog. every time. like them for 1t
I'll not forget everybody's kindness to
me and-and their Indifference"
"Tndifference. David7"
"Yes. That's the word It doesn't
make any difference what am. they
Just say It's all right and-and-that's
all"
She caught the intensely bitter note
In his voice Christine was young. hut
she had nne perceptions. Her lip
trembled.
Nobody thinks you did It." she cried
in vehement undertone. Even
father She stopped abruptly.
IF he thinks I'm innocent. why is
he 30 set on keeping me from talking
to you or your nother?" he demanded
quickly. sudden fire entering his
brain. "That doesn't look as II he
thinks I'm all right. does II? Fm-I'm
not low down person. If was.
could see reason. But I'm a gentle
man. Every man In my family ha.
been gentleman since-oh. you'll
think I'm boastlng. I didn't mean to
saw this to you, No. Christine. your
father thinks I'm guilty.
He does notw she whispered. 81
know he doesn't I've heard him argue
with mother about you. He has told
her that he does not believe that you
killed your grandfather. I've heard
him say It, David. He-he Ia only
thinking of-must say 1t? OF the
disgrace to us II you should be caught
and 1t came out we were your friends.
That's 1t. He's thinking Of us. David.
1t is so foolish Of him. We both have
told him so. Rnt-but you don't know
nv father" There wns world OF
meaning in that declaration, and 1t was
not disrespectfnl. either.
David was dlscrcetly silent He was
uuelling the rage that always rose In
his heart when he thought OF Thornas
Braddock's attitude. not only toward
him but toward his wife.
81 wish he wouldn't look at It In
that way. David" she resumed plain
tiyely, "We-wc would be so happy
if you could he with us-that Is. more
than you are" She was stammering.
but not from embarrassment. 1t was
in the fear Of saying something that
might touch his sensitive pride.
IL love your mother" he cried In
tensely. "Shes the best woman I've
ever Enown-eNccpt my own mother.
| She's better than my aunts--yes. she
is. Better than all Of them. l could
die for her.
She clutched his arm tightly. but
said nothing. Neither spoke for mat
ter of a hundred feet or more. Then he
| .,iJ 70 hor I-ao ri1y-