The Lamar register., 1912-08-14

rectly on a chap.
What IL the matter? You haven't
heard q word I've uttered" scolded
Nancy over her shoulder.
HEIR Why. you said you were going
to Spouting Spring." stammered Peter.
reddening.
IT am-and you said you were on
your way home and l remarked that
you were taking the long way around"
she said demurely.
"You mean-that l better be going
homef" Peter pulled his horse and
swung around on the back trail. Il
beg your pardon. Miss Nan; I ought
not to have butted In on your ride
without asking leave"
"Oh. bother. 1 didn't mean anything
of the sort, Peter Barton" returned
Nancy GROSSLY. why are you 20 thin
skinned about such little mattersr'
Because I'm in love with you"
blurted Peter. Instantly he was hor-
rined At his own temerity. 30 long
~ the words were unspoksn there was
q chance chance that Nancy might
say yes" but now that they were
away from his lips the postponed an
swsr must oome-and he would have
nothing left to dream about during
those long nights ON the open plains
whom he was In camp with the
boys.
Peter Bartoni" Was there
catch in Nancy's voice or did he imag-
Inc 1T
You're not surprised. are your" He
was emboldened to continue. most
anybody could 80 how 1t IL with
mel"
Gould theyr' There was NO doubt
about it-Nancy's voice was cool.
YES" said Peter rscklessly. 81 sus-
pect the whole camp knows what .
fool l ami"
DO you believe sof' asked Nancy
frigidly.
"Yes-you wouldn't marry me.
would you. Miss Mani" Peters hand
rested ON the satin flank of the cream
colored pony. and the broad brim of
his hat brushed Nancy's shoulder.
There was q dick Of Nancy's whip
and the cream-oolored pony dashed
forward. "Of course I'd marry you.'
retorted Nancy over her shoulder. and
anyone but . man deeply In love would
have recognised the mockery in her
voice
"whenr' demanded Peter ardently.
urging his own horse in pursuit
"Will you 60 home now II tell
your was Nancy's odd reply. a. she
halted her pony and faced him
"Yes-Tll 60 anywhere. II you want
me to-" said Peter dasedly. for a. yet
he could not believe that II was be
who was boldly askins lovely Nancy
Gage. his boss daughter. to share the
humble lot Of . cattleman.
I'll marry you-of counsel" called
Nancy, lightly though her eyes looked
dark now. I'll marry you sure. the
thirty-hrst Of September" The white
pony flashed about and dashed down
the trail, while Peter Barton sat like
q statue gazing after his sweetheart-
that's what she was-his promised
sweetheart Had she not Just said SO
with her sweet lips. and then fed away
from him with sirlish shyness? Pc
ter removed his hat and watched her
until the pony and rider had disappear
ed around the rocky entrance to SpoL.
ing Spring canon.
Peter Barton entered the bunk house
two hours late that evening, and the
big package Of mail matter that he
tossed on the table before his com
rades did not allay their Just indigna.
ton at his hardness on the eventful
day of the week
His face was transngured with 10y
and they knew that something had
happened TO lift the cloud from bis
brow. II was Ben Holcomb whose
careless dart found the Bullseye.
You look - II the lady has lust
said yes.'" he dFawlsd. unfolding a
newspaper that was his share of the
mail.
she hast" responded Peter reck
iessly happy. ~ he flung his hat on its
accustomed peg.
And named the day in the
bargaini" ventured Latin from bis
corner.
She hast" repeated Peter dixxily.
The thirty-frst Of September"
The thirty-nrst q whatf" demand
ed Ben quickly.
OF September-three months of
right here on the calendar" Peter
tapped the leaves Of the big calendar
until he disclosed the September sheet.
and he ran his brown finger rapidly
over the days. finally paused at the