The Lamar register., 1912-08-14

tered Ben Holcomp to Latlins undsr
cover of a newspaper. They had seen
how 1t was with Peter and Boss Cages
daughter.
You don't suppose-you don't sup
pose she's still laundering after that
fellow from down Tucson wayf" whis-
pered Latin.
"Dentman, you meanr'
The other nodded. Miss Nan was
some took with him, and whom he
went away SO sudden and we heard
he was married. she looked mighty
peaked for awhile"
Pm afraid maybe she did mind.
though we ought not to put It into
words" said Ben chivalrously. GONE
how. I'm sorry she took 1t into her
head to treat Peter that way"
"'Tisn't like her to do it-not II she
knew 1t was going to hurt him." was
Latlin's reply
Du. ing the months that followed
Peters proposal. he carefully avoided
approaching Nancy Gage. On the big
ranch that was an easy matter. and
the few times they met each other un-
sxpecredly Peter Barton's eyes were
turned steadily away. while he barred
bis head before the girl who had hout-
ed him.
Nancy. at first merciless in the sting
Of her own love affair. assumed that
be had understood and accepted her
rude rejection of him. But whom she
met him time after time and saw tbs
set gravity Of his features and the
somberness of his gray eyes. she grew
q little fearful of what she had done.
After awhile she found herself think
Ing often Of the stern-facsd cowboy
who avoided her whenever possible.
After awhile her rsmorseful thoughts
Of Peter Barton quite crowded out her
deeting fancy for the brilliant Don't
man from Tucson. and she found hes-
self longing for an opportunity to apol
ogniss 10 Peter for the wrong she had
done him. Once she rode out dslib-
sratsly with the intention Of throwing
herself In his way that shs might
have . chance to ask his forgive
ness.
II was the last day Of esptsmbsr.
and the parchsd grass lay nat on the
plains. She had heard her father tell
Peter to ride over to Honey Greek post
o6,oe for the weekly mail. and from
her window shs had sssn his we'll
knit figure on the gray horse sweep
Avay from the corral and out OF sight.
She dressed herself In . becoming nd
Ing dsess Of linen that matched hsr
syes, and without Q hat On hse sunny
hsaA, she mounted he cSeam-oolosed
pony and was away.
That was bow It happened that p
Ter came aofoas her on The shoulAar q
. hui - hs had On that Nay day
Whaa ~ had asked .ha9 TO NARY him.
He had besa whistling softly - -
rode. and she had beea Watching his
lace with . strange wistfulnsss IN hse
own when be suddenly looked up and
nav hsr. Then the sound died On his
lips and his face sti6snsd IKE .
gravs mask and b liftsd his hat
Nancy Burton put forth . hand and
caught the bride q tie gray hoess.
"Pstsri Peter Barton-doo't look NE
thati" she half sobbsd.
Gently Peter dissngaSsd her nnGsss.
you needn't worry yourself about M.
Miss Man." he said kindly. I'm I'll
right, Although ought 70 b iarrupsd
good for going around with . long
face" He smiled oheerfully. but
Nancy Gage was mot 70 b oonsoisd
In that way. With . little CRY she
dropped her head on The pony's nsok
and sobbsd bitterly.
Peter Barton was frightened. Mo-
Nan, what u IT." he stammsred O.
citsdly. IF IT'S that Dsntman chap
Iu-I1l have him"
Its yourself. Peter Barton-l doa't
want anyone but you and never didi"
sobbsd Nancy. what said TO you b.
fore was spoken when l was feeling
unhappy and what say today I mean
every-word-I dol"
Peter slipped from his horse and
came to her side. Miss Nan-Nan,"
he whispered fearfully. DO you really
mean it-that you want me-that
you'll marry met"
Nancy lifted a tear-wet face and
smiled down at him. Il do mean It,
Peter" she said simply. "Pll marry
you today II you want me tots the
last day Of September" she added -
she slipped into his waiting arms
I'm honored. honey" he whispered,
but we'll do It right and proper -