The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1912-05-17

70 the OOIOT00O mountains Oy nor uuCtc
Robert Maitland James Armstrong.
Maitiand's protege. falls In love with her.
CHAPTER ii-(contInusd).
And by what right did you take
that one?" haushtily demanded the
outraged young woman. looking at
him beneath level brows while the
color slowly receded from her face.
She had never been kissed by man
other than q blood relation in her
life-remember, suspicious reader.
that she was from Philadelphia.-and
she resented this sudden and unau-
instinct of her still somewhat conven-
tional being.
But aren't you half way engaged to
me?" he pleaded In Justification. see
ing the unwonted seriousness with
which she had received his impudent
advance. Didn't you agree to give
me a chance?"
II did say that liked you very
much" she admitted. mo man better.
and that thought that you might"
We'll, then" he began.
But she would not be interrupted.
Il did not mean that you should en-
Joy all the privileges Of conquest be-
fore you had won me. l will thank
you not to do that again, sir"
1T seems to have had very DIFF.
rerent effect upon you than 1t does
upon me-" replied the man coolly. i
loved you before, but now, since
have kissed you, worship you"
TT hasn't affected me that way" re.
torted the girl promptly. her face stu
frowning and indignant. Not at all.
and"
Forgive me, Enid" pleaded the
other. Il just couldn't help It. You
we're SO beautiful had to. took the
chance. You are not accustomed to
our ways"
rs this your habit in your love AT.
fairs?" asked the girl swiftly and not
without a spice OF feminine malice.
Il kssE had any love AFFAIR be-
fora" he replied with ready mascu-
line mendacity, lat least none worth
mentioning. But you see this Is the
west; We have gained what We have
by demanding every inch that nature
offers. and then claiming the all.
That's the way We play the game out
here and that's the way we win
But | have not yet learned to play
the game as you call II. by any such
rules" returned the young woman de-
terminedly. land It is not the way to
win me II am the stake"
What Is the way?" asked the man
anxiously. "Show ME and I'll take II
no matter what Its difficulty"
'Ah, for me to point out the way
would be to play traitor to myself"
she answered. relentfng and relaxing
a little before his devoted wooing
"You must find 1t without assistance.
can only tell you ono thing"
And what Is that?"
You do not advance toward the
goal by such actions as those of .
moment since"
Look here" said the other sudden
ly. Il am not ashamed of what l did.
and I'm not going to pretend that I
am, either"
you ought to be-" severely.
We'll. maybe so. but I'm not;
couldn't help 1t any more than could
help loving you the minute l saw you.
Put yourself In my place"
But ! am not In your place. and I
amt put myself there. do not wish
10. II II be true. as you say. that you
have grown to-care SO much for me
and 90 quickly"
IF 1t be true?" came the sharp In
her, fairly devouring her with his bold,
ardent gaze.
We'll, since II Is true" she admit
ed under the compulsion of his pro
test. That fact Is the only possible
excuse for your action"
You find some Justification for me.
then?"
mo. only q possibility. but whether
Il be true or not. do not feel that
vay-yet"
There was . saving grace In that
last word, which gave him q little
heart. He would have spoken. but
she suffered no interruption. saying:
Il have been wooed before. but
True, unless the human race has
become suddenly blind" he said softly
under his breath.
But never In such ungentle ways
Il suppose you have never run up
against q real red-blooded man like
me before"
IF red-blooded be evidenced mainly
By lacking OF self control. perhaps I
have not Yet there are men that
have met that would not need to apol-
ogize for their qualities even to you.
Mr.. James Armstrong"
Don't say that Evidently make
but poor progress In my wooing.
Never have I met with woman quite
Nike you"-and In that indeed lay
some of her charm. and she might
have replied IN exactly the same Ian
guase and With exactly the same
nsauing 10 hint am no longer .
10Y. must BE- hftesn years older
ban you are. Tor I am thirty-nve.-