The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1912-08-09

Dick had fallen desperately in love
with Alice Wilson the year before
while Hal was in Europe. but Hal had
and, with his customary overhaaring
manner. had hustled his cousin off the
field and immediately laid open siege
to Alices heart. Dick. astonished and
quite ditfident in the presence of an
overpowerng love, had allowed him
self to he pushed aside until now he
found it almost Impossible to regain
the ground he had lost.
Alice treated him with sweet friend
lineS' that was naudening as we'll as
Gisheartening. All the sweet. gay in
timacy of their friendship was gone.
He seemed to he numbered among a
host of unimportani admirers who
worsbiped Alice from afar. while the
intrepid Hal Marcy stepped boldly
forward and openly admitted that
there WAS an understanding" between
Alice Wilson and himself. 10 all hints
and innuendoes the lovely Alice turned
the point of her wit to excellent eff
feet.
Five weeks had elapsed since Dick
had ventured near Scarsda|e. where
Ali lived. At his elaboraHly care
less remark that he thought he would
drive down that way his cousin had
been quick to sting him with the re-
mark that if he was going down to see
Miss Wilson his errand would he in
vain.
But Dick corning's lrs were set In
that obstinate curve that few had
ever seen and none had understood
because there had been 81 few things
in this world that he had had to fight
for. Most everything had come to
him easily, but now this greatest boon.
the love of Il good. fair woman. was to
be denied him. She was to be Halls,
and Hal was Il hounuar.
Dick was going to put the question
to her just the same. His attentions
to her had been so marked in the past
that he felt that he owed it to her to
ask the all important question. That
she would re:u e him he had not the
slightest doubt. 1t would he done
gently. but conyincingly, with perhaps
a hint at some cousinly relationship
in the future. after sc should be mar
rled to Hal. lie routed out Il time
table, and. with one hand ON the steer
ing wheel of the car. he studied the
trains from town and mentally com
pared the running time with the de
n q ~ oc f,;, 4
Sail from Sam Francisco in six days.
Ill get down there ut ., drink tea
at 4 and. if she is alone. ask her. 1t
will take her about ten minutes to turn
ME down. including the cousnly advice
and all that. Then | can run ba k to
town by $50. catch the 7:lo for the
west and connect with the Kamkat-
scha at San Francisco on Saturday.
No wedding bells for you, Dicky, my
boyv'
His mind attuned to these gloomy re-
fections and with drab future care
fully outlined. Dick Corning was some
what taken aback at Alice Wilson'S
greeting. She was Il Dresden china
sort of beauty. all pink and white, with
soft blue eyes and hair the color of
ripe corn silk. She wore some little
soft. cinging gown of pale blue with
pink rose tucked in her breast. and AL
the pretty color faded from her cheeks
as her hand was lost in Dicks big
warm grasp.
"Where is HALF" she asked, as she
sat down behind the tea table.
Dicks face clouded slightly. 81 sup,
pose he will he down later. l came by
myself, on my own Grand" he ended
grutt'y. He accepted a cup of tea and
dropped lump after lump Of sugar into
its pale depths before he realized what
he was doing.
"On your own erranA?" repeated
Alice. fussing among the teacups.
Eyes. IL FOOLS errand." returned Dick
unhappily.
eff it is fools errand. why do you
come" Alce's voice shook slightly and
her long lashos We're laid against the
shell pink of her cheek.
81 had to--a fool and his errand are
soon parted" Dick grinned miserab'y
and replaced his untasted tea on the
table. He leaned across the slender
legged table, menacing the fragile
china.
"Alice!" lie easped.
"Wcll?" Her eyes werc downcast. and
her fingers had ceased to tlutter. She
was very still and now very much
like sweet. sad little Dresden china
shepherdess
give got to say it. and then I'm
going on a trip around the world.
love you. dear. l want to marry you.
I know you won't have me, hNt I want
to give you the chance to say no.
stammered and stumbled unfortunate
Dick. saying more than he meant and
meaning more than he said.
dyes" murmured Alice softly.
''That's ALL" assured Dick.
Eyes; I'll marry you, Dick, the dear
est and best boy in the world. only
you did let Hal elbow you out Of the
way, and it served you right for
Awhilew Affects 1T "a hands fOund