Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-05-27

Wnen they rode up to the gate their
young faces seemed TO reflect the glory
of the sunset. Owen Morgan's was
aglow with love and pride, and Annie
Bells was pink flushed and shyly
happy.
Annie's father, Peter Bell. saw them
coming and STROBE across the yard
with thunder in his voice and lightning
In bis eyes.
"You clear out of this. young fel-
lowT' he growled as he snatched the
bride of Annie's pony and led the ami
NAL away. you've done about all the
incoming around these diggings that's
allowed by me-seeT
Father cried Annie Indignantly,
snatching at the bride rein.
For reply the gru1 old man lifted
bis daughters slender form from the
saddle and pushed her toward the
house. go inside and stay there till
/ come" he added, and because Peter
Bells word was law in his house An
ME went, with a single heartbreaking
glance at her recently declared lover.
Owen Morgan stared after her with
eyes that saw not The whole scene
appeared to be some grotesque comedy
that was being enacted for his benefit.
Perhaps he was expected to laugh at
Peter Bells joke.
"Understand-youp rasped Peter
Bell unpleasantly.
"You mean itT' Owen managed to
ask, with stir lips. You mean that
! I'm not to come and see Annie again p
That's just what I do meant Why,
you must think I'm a fool to let you
run after my girl after the way your
| father has treated meT
you mean about the boundary liner
asked Owen, wheeling his horse about
Eyes, mean about the boundary
liner roared Peter. when them pa
pers was served on me this afternoon
your fathers son ever took with my
girl. Now that's all plain, and you're
invited to CO."
Owens face was very white and his
lips were compressed to a straight line
as he rode home at breakneck speed.
His own father was smoking in the
porch of the ranch house. and the old
err mans calm demeanor served in a
measure to cool Owens wrath at Peter
Bell.
Careful, ladr' warned Mr.. Morgan
as his son brought the dripping horse
to standstill. Don't you know how
10 treat q beast, Owen? Take Brownie
and give him rundown and come
back to me-"
Although owen was twentyfour. he
obeyed his father as meekly as though
he were still in his early teens. After
he had made the reeking horse as com
Portable as possible for the time hi
walked slowly back to the veranda
where his father sat enveloped In over
coat and hat, for it was January anC
the thermometer had been near Il
little milder, for the wind had dice
down The sunset clouds had los
their delicate colors even as Owen!
face had lost it's glow of happiness.
IT'S going to snow" prophesied Mr.
Morgan. with an eye turned TOWARD
the weather.
Then l ought to get that bunch o
cattle in from the lower range" re
marked Owen rather listlessly.
Morning will be time enough
Where you been-riding with AnnieT
Owens face Redeemed to the ears
and he avoided his fathers searchin;
eyes.
Yes" he replied constrainedly.
Have a good ride"
went over to the Little Peak"
'IIum-same place l went with you
ma once. 1t ended in our getting en-
gaged."
1T didn't end that way with me
dad" Owens eyes still sought the dis
tant horizon.
'Tutw Mr.. MorgaI's carefully bal
anced chair came down on all fou
legs, and he looked with concern a
his sons handsome, downcast face
why, | would have staked my ey
that Annie He paused helplessly
''She does!' was Owens significan
feply.
And you. lad"
$50 do Ip'
hen-what-why?"
'Peter Bell kicked me out-practical
ly-before | even had chance to as
him-or anything. Just told me to Sc
out and stay out"
"WhyY' demanded Mr.. Morgan, a.
though he had guessed
HE said you've served papers o
him in suit over that boundary line.
What did you say to himT
Nothing. There wasn't anything
could say under the cIrcumsta nee,
Armies his daughter. and he's got tn
right to say who's coming to see her.
Leave it to me, Owen. lad I'll chuc
the whole boundary business II it wi
help any. | don't want you and Al
ME to be-
ITS all right, dad. Maybe he'll ge
over it," said Owen. although he doub
,, ed Peter Bells repentance over sue
small matter as that Of dismIssin
=, one OF Annie Bells suitors Ami
;, Bell was young. but there had Away
been suitors for her pretty hand an
tender heart The heart had belonge
), to Owen Morgan ever since she ha