Gilpin observer., 1912-04-04
CHAPTER xv.-ContInued.

But through 1t all ran the golden
content Just to ride with Dede and to
be on comradely terms with her; but
the desire and the need for her in
creased The more he knew of her.
the higher was his appraisal Had
she been reserved and naughty with
him. or been merely giggling. sim
pering creature Of woman. II would
have been different. Instead. she
amazed him with her simplicity and
wholesomeness with her great store
OF comradeliness. The latter was the
unexpected. He had never looked
upon woman In that way. Woman.
the toy: woman. the harpy; woman.
the necessary wife and mother Of the
races offspring-all this had been his
expectation and understanding of
woman But woman. the comrade and
playfellow and ioyfellow-this was
what Dede had surprised him in And
the more she became worth while. the
more ardently his love burned. un-
consciously shading his voice with
caresses, and with equal unconscious
ness fIaring up signal fires in his eyes
Nor was she blind to It. yet like many
women before her. she thought to play
with the pretty fire and escape the
consequent conflagration
Winter will soon be coming on"
she said regretfully. and with provoca.
ton. one day. land then there won't
be any more riding"
But ] must see you in the winter
Just the same" he cried hastily
She shook her head
I've been pretty good he declared
Il leave 1t to you II | haven't It's
been pretty hard. too. I can tell you.
You Just think It over Not once have
! said word about love to you. and
me loving you all the time That's
going some for a man that's used to
having his own way I'm somewhat
OF rusher when It comes to travel.
ing. reckon I'd rush God Almighty
II 1t came to race over the Ice. And
yet ] didn't rush you guess this
fact is an indication OF how much
do love you. OF course ! want you to
marry me. Have | said word about
It. though? Nary a chirp. nary a fiut.
ter. I've been quiet and good. though
It's almost made me sick at times. this
keeping quiet. | haven't asked you to
marry me. I'm not asking you now.
Oh. not but what you satisfy me.
sure know you're the wife for me But
how about myself? Do you know me
well enough to know your own mind?"
He shrugged his shoulders. 81 don't
know. and amt going to take
chances on It now You've got TO
know for sure whether you think you
could get along with me or not. and
I'm playing a slow conservative game
! amt a-going to lose for overlooking
my hand"
This was lovemaking OF sort be-
yond Dede's experience Nor had she
ever heard OF anything like 1t
so you see," he urged. lust for
square deal we've got to see some
more OF each other this winter Most
likely your mind amt made up yet"
But II is she interrupted II
wouldn't dare permit myself to care for
you Happiness for me, would not lie
that way. like you. Mr.. Harnish.
and all that. but II can never be more
than that"
TITS because you don't like my way
OF living" he charged, thinking In his
own mind OF the sensational joy.rides
and general profIgacy with which the
newspapers had credited him-think.
ing this. and wondering whether or
not. In maiden modesty. she would
disclaim knowledge Of II.
To his surprise. her answer was nat
and incorporating.
mo; | don't"
II know I've been brash on some Of
those Rides that got into the papers"
- beGan his defence. and that I've