Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-07-25
Keith Of the Border
Continued from page 81


too darned bald-headed CT, amt
so old. for was only thirty-five when
the war broke out was so thin
then l could hardly cast shadow.
I've changed some SINCE" casting his
eyes admiringly downward "an1 gst
quite figure. 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!"
II 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 tort; 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 WIS only playing
with Keith. Surely you must know
that now. And as to the officers, they
were just fun. You see In my profess
sion, one has to be awfally nice to
everybody"
But didn't you really care for Haw.
ley?" he insisted, bluntly probing for
facts.
"He-he interested me-" admitted
the girl, hesitatingly, her eyes dark
ening with sudden anger. He lied
and believed him would have be-
lieved any one who came with such a
story. Oh. DR.. FArbain," and she
chung to him now eagerly, you can
not realize how hungry l have been
for what he brought me- wanted so
to know the truth of my birth. Oh.
hated this life!" She flung her dis
engaged hand into the air. with ges-
ture expressive of disgust II was
crazy to get away from it. 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:
l am going to make you. am .
singer In music halls; l was brought
up to that life from a little girl, and
OF course, l know what you Western
men think Of US as q class Hawley
showed 1t in his whole manner to-
ward me, and resented it; Just for
that, deep down In my heart, l hated
him. know 1t now. now that l real
ly understand his purpose; but some
way, when l was with him he seemed
to fascinate me, to make me do just
as he wihed. But you have never
been that way: you-you have acted
as though was acknowledgements body
nice, and not just a music-hall singer.
Perhaps it's just your way, and may
be, deep down you don't think I'm any
better than the other do, but-but I
want you to think am, and l am
going to tell you the truth, and you
must believe mel am 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 l wanted to know was,
whether or not you really cared for
any of those buffers. Can you tell me
that, Christie?"
She lifted her eyes to his face, her
lips parted.
II can answer anything you ask
And you do not care for them?"
No"
He drew his breath sharply, his
round face rosy.
Then you have got to listen to me,
for I'm deadly in earnest. I'm an old
rough, bald-headed fool that dom,
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
Pm square. They'll tell you that
whatever l says goes. I've never run
around much with women; somehow
never exactly liked the kind I've
come up against, and maybe they did
MT feel any particular interest in me
| didn't cut much shine as ladies'
man. but, l reckon now, It's only be
cause the right one hadn't happened
along. She is here now, though, all
right, and knew it the very first time
set eyes on her. Oh, you roped anc
tied me all right the first throw May
be did get you and that half-sistel
mixed up bit, but Just the same you
We're the one really W. ed. Hopes
all right; she's mighty nine girl, but
| you are the one for me, Christie
Could you-could You care for such Z
| duffer as | am?"
Her lips We're smiling and so were
her eyes, but it was a pleading smile
II don't think 1t would be Sc
very hard, she admitted. mot If 20,
really wanted me to-"
You know what mean-that lovs
] you-wish you to be my wife,"
| II supposed that was it--that--thal
| you wanted me-"
Yes, and-and you will lover"
Her head dropped slowly, so slowly
he did not realize the significance O
the action until her lips touched hi!
| hand
Il do" she said; you are the BEES