The evening world., 1912-02-22
CHAPTER Y.
tConinusd.l
Smith and the SchOOin,ayn1,

P@t1ehtiy, ana the cattle.
men needed II for their
stock. ia ~ killed 'em
for nothin'. but when twas onrsrsd' I
might as well get the bounty"
Inc Schoolnarm scarcely knew vha,
TO say; his explanation seemed 10 en-.
urely s~attsfActory to himself.
I'm glad those dreadful dayv have
gone" NV
They're gone all right" Smith An.
Swersd sourly. They make dun p~~r
~ much fuss over an Injun a. 4 whit.
man nov and what With jumpln. up
deputies At every turn In the road.
tAnt safe. Why. I heard . judge ~ y
pure murder" We"
u appreciate you conHdence-vour
telling me OF your life." said Inc sosooi.
marin. In lieu Of something better.
she found him . difficult psrson With
nom to converse. They seemed To-
rave no common meeting ground, VET.
WINE ne constantly Startled ana
Knocked he also fascinated her. In ons
OF those Illuminating flashes To vhich
the Schoolinarm WAS subject she saw
hsrseif as Smiths guiding star, LEADING
MN 70 the triumphant finish Of Inc
sa.se. which she believed his unique
out str0ng personality made possibls.
II was smith's turn TO look Al her.
Did she think he had told her Of his
IRE! Tho unexpected dimple despensd
~ Sfhiths cheek. and as no laughed. the
sehooimarm. again noting tho effect of
w. could not Ia her heart believe that he
was as black as he had painted himself.
Il wlsht our trails had crossed sooner.
but. anyhow. I'm on the square with
you. girl. And II you ever ketch me
'talkin' crooked ~ the Injuns a y IN
give you my whole ~outht-horse. saddle.
blankets. guns. even my dos -gons shirt.
Excuse me-"
The Schoolmarm glowed. Her woman's
influence for good was having its effect!
THIS Was q step In the right direction
. long step. lie would DO ION the
square" with her-Ahe liked the way he
phrased It. Already her mind was busy
with s~Ar-csstlss for Smith. which would
have made that person stare. had he
known OF thsm. An inkling Of their
nature may DO had from her question::
would you like to study. to learn
from books. II you had the opportunity"
Il learned my letters spellin' out the
brands on cattle" ne said frankly. IAN
that with bein' able to write my nSms
on the business end Of Q check. and
common everyday words, has always
been enough to see ms through"
But when one has naturally n good
mind like yours don't you think Il -
almost wicked not 70 uss itf'
Il got . mind. all right" smith re-
piled c0mplAcsatly. I'm kind Of .
mead worker In my way. but steady
lhinkin' mAkcs me sicker nor 4 pup. !
got = headache for two days spellin'
out u description Of myself that the
Sheriff Of Choteau County spread
around the country on handbil!s. II
was plumb lnsult.n' as fggered 1t out.
calm attention to my eyes and ears
and busted thumb, ] sent word TO him
that ! felt hostile over IT, Sher.ns II
go too far II you don't tell 'em where
10 got on At once In awhile"
The Schooimsrm ignored the handful
episode and went on:
Besides, a lack of education 10 such
a handicap In business"
The worst handicap I has to COM
plain Of" said Smitn grimly. lis the
naDit people has got into OF sending
money orders through tho mail. instead
Of the cash. II keeps money out of
circulation, besides beIn' d~iscouragin'
and putin many q hArd-workin' hold
up on the bum"
But" she persisted. tho real mean
Ing Of Smlth's observations entirely
escaping her. even the rudiments OF an
education would be such u help to you.
opening up many avenues that now are
closed to you. what | want to say Is
this. that II you intend to stop for a
time a. the ranch | will De glad TO
teach you. Susie and | have an extra
session In the evening. and | viii be
delighted TO nave you Join US"
II nat not dawned upon Smith that
she had questioned him with this end
In view. lie looked at her ixedly. then.