The Glenwood post., 1912-08-24
Desperate Duke
By CLARISSA MACKIE
Copyright. 1912. by Associated Literary
Press.)

by the side door.
We hope to keep you here this
tlme. my dear!" he said as she sprang
to the ground and rushed into the am
pie embrace of his wife.
MY dear child! It's delightful to
think that your foolish mother de-
clded to go away again. and that you
are sent back to US so soon. l am
glad that your mother decided to go
hbroad-otherwise we would have had
lonely winter! Tell me. is Agatha
going to marry that good looking Eng
lishman?"
Rose Carson laughed merrily at
Aunt Ruth's eager questioning. To
both of them, Mrs. Carson's numerous
owe affairs were a never-ceasing topic
II interest. Roses mother was young
md ridiculously pretty for widow
With a grown up daughter. She was
indeed frivolous. rather selfish per-
son. but withal so charming in her
'elf-interest that one could not be en-
irely vexed with her. This was the
second time she had sent her daughter
'ut to spend the winter with the Rid
lies in Montana-Mrs Carson had
>een Riddle-while the little widow
.almly appropriated her comfortable
ncome to purposes of pleasure.
DO you believe your mother will
marry that Englshman?" repeated
Mrs. Riddle. sitting down in Roses
Dom while the girl removed the dust
If the long ride from the railroad sta
ion.
Dear Aunt Ruth, | really believe
that mother will marry Mr.. Chicester
before she returns to New York. |
confidently expect to receive from her
perfectly charming little letter an
louncing that she has decided that it
would be best for her future happiness
Ind hoping that will not feel too bad
y about it." Roses eyes were very
bright as she brushed her brown hair
nto shiny coils around her head
Mrs. Riddle was perturbed. 81 hope
you-you really would feel badly
wouldn't you, dear?"
Yes. and no. answered the girl
slowly. Mother and are SO very
lifferent, you know. We don't care for
he same person or the same things. l
could be perfectly happy here with you
and Uncle Rob the rest of my life
while mother would be miserable If she
lad to stop here one night. There's
The whole description of our charac-
ters in nutshell"
And you don't care for New York
1T does seem as though people had
such good time there!" sighed Mrs.
Riddle.
"They do and they get bored with 1t
ALL The people who really have
good time In New York are the Wis
TORS. would rather live out here
and be one of the visitors sometimes"
Really, Rose?"
Gross my heart" She smiled sun
nily at Mrs. Riddle.
"I am 80 glad, dear, because If your
mother does marry her Englishman,
why Ralph and | want you to come
out here and make your home with us
for the rest of your days If you wish,
but l hope you will marry one of our
splendid men and make home for
yourself"
Rose threw her arms around her
aunt and kissed her tenderly.
81 shall be so happy II you really
want me-somehow seem to be a
misf1t in New York. Out here, feel
as though had come back home, that
| am breathing my native air. that
have come into my own!"
Then If you marry one Of our
will hoI IN
tirely. hope there isn't anybody
back In the east"
Rose laughed lightheartedly. mo
body there or anywhere else, auntie!"
"Then that's all right" declared
Mrs. Riddle so emphatically that the
girl laughed once more.
Two months passed and October
came with crisp mornings, sunny
moons, and long golden and purple at
ternoons. Rose Carson rode every day
day, sometimes alone and occasional
ly accompanied by her uncle or one
of his trusted men.
One of these men from the Riddle
ranch was a long. lean, sandy-haired
named Phinny. who usual
Iy wore a dissatisfied frown as though
the escorting of lovely young women
along meandering trails bored him ex'
tremely. On the contrary he was i'm
mensely fattered that Mr.. Riddle had
chosen him as body guard to his niece.
Mr.. Phinney was fond of joke.
who is that?' inquired Rose one
day as they met man riding up the
trail.
Mr.. Phinney favored the stranger
with a scowl and received in return
look of amusement from pair OF dark
blue eyes.
That" he said after the stranger
had passed beyond hearing. that
there gent is none other than the
greatest desperate of the plains. His
name is Henderson, Duke Henderson,
and he's got a record that Jesse James
would have been real proud to have
owned"
Indeed" gasped Rose. What has