The copper era and Morenci leader., 1912-04-26

er," he admitted hesftatingly, but I'm too darned bald-headed. Oh, I ain't so old, for I was only thirty-five when the war broke out. I was so thin then I could hardly cast a shadow. I've changed some since," casting his eyes admiringly downward, and got quite a figure. I was forty-three last month"
 That isn't old; that's just right
 I've been afraid you looked on me as being an old fogy!"
 ''I should say not" indignantly. Why should you ever think that?"
 Well, there were so many young fellows hanging about"
 "Who?"
 "Oh, Keith, and Hawley. and that bunch of officers from the fort; you never had any time to give me-
 She laughed again, her fingers tight ening in their clasp on his hand.
 Why, how foolish; Hawley is older than you are, and I was only playing with Keith. Surely you must know that now. And as to the officers, they were just fun. You see, in my profes sion, one has to be awfully nice to everybody"
 But didn't you really care for Flaw. ley?" he insisted, hluntly probing for facts.
 "He-he interested me-" admitted the girl, hesitatingly, her eyes dark ening with sudden anger. He lied and I believed him-I would have be- lieved any one who came with such a story. Oh. Dr. Fairbain," and she clung- to him now eagerly, you can not realize how hungry I have been for what he brought me. I wanted so to know the truth of my birth. Oh, hated this lifei" She flung her dis engaged hand into the air, with ges- ture expressive of disgust. -I was crazy to get away from 1t. That was what made the man look good to me -he-he promised so much. You will believe me, won't you? Oh, you must; I am going to make you. I am a singer in music halls; I was brought up to that life from little girl, and of course, I know what you Western men think of us as a class. Hawley showed 1t in his whole manner to- ward me. and I resented it; just for that. deep down in my heart, I hated him. I know 1t now, now that real ly understand his purpose; but some way. when I was with him he seemed to fascinate me, to make me do just as he willed. But you have never been that way; you-you have acted as though I was omebody-somebody nice, and not just a music-han singer. Perhaps it's just your way, and may be, deep down you don't think Pm any better than the other do, but-but I want you to think I am, and I am going to tell you the truth, and you must believe mel am a good girl"
 Great God! of course you are," he blurted out. Don't you suppose know? That isn't what has been bothering me, lassie. Why, I'd "a fought any buck who'd "a sneered at you. What I wanted to know was, whether or not you really cared for any of those duffers. Can you tell me that. Christie?"
 She lifted her eyes to his face, her lips parted.
 T can answer anything you ask"
 And you do not care for themf'
 "No."
 He drew his breath sharply, his round face rosy.
 Then you have got to listen to me, for I'm deadly in earnest. Pm an old, rough, bald-headed fool that don't know much about women-I never thought before I'd ever want to-but you can bet on one thing, I'm square. Anybody in this town will tell you I'm square. They'll tell you that whatever I says goes. I've never run around much with women; somehow I never exactly liked the kind I've come up against, and maybe they did mt feel any particular interest in me. I didn't cut much shine as a ladies' man, but, reckon now, it's only be- cause the right one hadn't happened along. She is here now, though, all right, and I knew it the very first time I set eyes on her. Oh, you roped and tied me all right the first throw. May be I did get you and that half-sister mixed up a bit, but just the same you were the one I really wanted. Hopes all right; she's a mighty fine girl, but you are the one for me, Christie Could you-could you care for such a duffer as I am?"
 Her lips were smiling and SO were her eyes, but it was a pleading smile.
 I-l oOn tnlnh It WOuio De 50 very hard" she admitted. mot if you really wanted me to-"
 You know what I mean-that love you-wish you to be my wife?"
 'I supposed that was it-that- you wanted me-"
 "Yes, and-and you will love?" Her head dropped slowly, so slowly he did not realize the significance of the action until her lips touched his hand.
 'I do," she said; you are the best man in the world"
 Fairbain could not move. could not