The Glenwood post., 1912-08-24

| later on grew quite sober.
He looked very grave and harm
less-except for his blue eyes ! wfn-
der"
After that Rose did not seem to
care to ride out even under the pro
lection of Mr.. Phinney, although she
gave no reason for her sudden ros0iu-
ton.
After supper one night while Rose
sat at the piano playing very sofely
there came the heavy tramping of feet
from the piazza and Mr.. Riddle en-
tered the room accompanied by the
desperado. Duke Henderson Rose
flushed and gave her hand to the
stranger as Mr.. Riddle performed the
Introduction.
I'll go and bring Mrs. Riddle" said
Uncle Rob. and he hastily departed,
leaving Rose alone with the desp0r-
ado
Rose found herself avoiding the
glance of pair of sparkling eyes. eyes
that under happy circumstances might
be very gay indeed: now they searched
her face eagerly az II looking for
something, and at her air Of con-
|
temptation Of the carpet.
| Rose wondered If he know how
handsome he looked sitting there in
his cowboy costume, his strong brown
fingers twisting his felt hat into
dozen shapes. II he did know 1t. 1t
gave him no pleasure. for once ne
sighed heavily and again he glano.d
swiftly at her. and as their eyes met
he resumed his stare at the floor.
at is glorious night" he SAID ut
last.
Charming"
"Mr. Riddle says you're going out
for ride with him-he has bean
kind enough to say that may accom-
pany you. hope you don't mindr'
"Oh, mol" she said hastily. "If you
will excuse me I will go and put I'm
my riding skirt"
He held open the door for her and.
as she passed him. there might have
been the slightest toss Of her head.
He smiled ruefully and sat down
again.
When Rose came down again she
was fair picture in a dust-colored
habit with a felt hat perched on the
back of her head.
Mrs. Riddle waited in the piazza un.
til the three had galloped out of sight,
and she smiled with satisfaction ns
she returned to the parlor.
THE little mink" she chucklod
throatily.
Henderson rode beside Mr.. Riddle
and left Rose in peace on the other
side of her uncle. None Of them
talked much save the men, who spoke
now and then in monosyllables. COM
menting on the condition Of the coun.
try, and the abundant rainfall. Over
| head the moon rode high in the blue
arch of sky and before them stretched
boundless plain.
| All at once Mr. Riddle uttered q
sharp exclamation and dismounted No
denly lame. There was nothing for
them to do but to return to the ranch.
This Mr.. Riddle would not hear Of.
81 was going to take you on to SM.
yer Springs. Rose. Now Henderson
will escort you and will wait here.
| 1t Is only couple of miles farthDr
on"
But Uncle Rob, I'd rather not co."
protested Rose, but Mr.. Riddle insist
ed, and so while Duke Henderson rode
beside her in grim appreciation Of her
grudgingly given companionship they
covered the rest of the distance to Sill
yer Springs. and pulling in their
horses looked together into the spark
ling silver waters at their feet.
Witches are abroad tonight" ~
marked Mr.. Henderson.
Nonsense" returned Rose sharply.
/ Ghosts may walk"
"F1ddlesticks"
"I knew a girl in New York who
had her fortune told one day-the seor
prophesied that the girl would marry
a bandit! What do you think 0f
that?"
Rose started violently as she rs-
membered the remark OF Mr.. Phinnsy
the first time they had met Duke Hsr-
derson.
81 am a bandit. according to Ben
Phinney," went on Mr.. Henderson.
He takes pleasure in pointing me out
to strangers as the prototype of JesSe
James,"
He told me that Jesse James would
have been proud to have had your
record" murmured Rose. looking down
| at the silver pool.
"Yet you do not seem alarmed" n.
served Henderson.
"Of course not"
THAT of course not is the flrk
symptom I've had that you remember
we are old friends and that l kissed
you once" he said quietly.
Duke Henderson,! how dare you re-
member that? Why-why didn't
know you were going to do it-anl
didn't like it, told you hated you-
I do-indeed I do! don't know what
you are doing out here-I thought