The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1912-03-22
CHAPTER xv.-Continued.

But through II all ran the golden
thread of love. At first he had been
content just to ride with Dede and to
be on comradely terms with her: but
the desire and the need for her In.
creased The more he knew OF her.
the higher was his appraisal Had
she been reserved and naughty with
him, or been merely n giggling. sim.
pering creature OF woman. II would
have been different Instead. she
amazed him with her simplicity and
wholesomeness. with her great store
OF comradeiiness The latter was the
unexpected. lie had never looked
upon woman In that way. Woman,
the toy: woman. the harry: woman.
the necessary wife and mother OF the
races ofrspring-all this had been his
expectation and understanding OF
woman. But woman, the comrade and
playfe!low and joyfellow-this was
what Dedc had surprised him In. And
the more she became worth while. the
more ardently his love burned. un.
consciously shading his voice with
caresses. and with equal unconscious
ness naring up signal fires In his eyes.
Nor was she blind to 1t. yet. like many
women before her. she thought to play
with the pretty fire and escape the
consequent conflagration
Winter will soon be coming on"
she said regretfuily. and with provoca.
ton. one day. land then there won't
be any more riding"
"Bui ! must see you In The winter
Just the same" he cried hastily
She shook her head
"rve been pretty good" he declared
Il leave IL TO you II | haven't. Its
been pretty hard. too. can tell you.
You just think Il over. Not once have
] said a word about love TO you. and
me loving you all the time. That's
going some for q man that's used To
having his own way. I'm somewhat
OF a rusher when Il comes to travel
ing. | reckon I'd rush God Almighty
II II came to a race over the ice. And
yet ! didn't rush you. | guess this
fact is an indication OF how much |
do love you OF course ! want you to
marry me. Have I said a word about
II. though? Nary a chlrp. nary q tut
ter I've been quiet and goou. though
it's almost made me sick at times. this
keeping quiet. | haven't asked you TO
marry me. I'm not asking you now.
Oh. not but what you satisfy me. |
sure know you're the wife for me But
how about myself? DO you know me
well enough to know your own mind"
He shrugged his shoulders. II don't
know. and | amt going to take
chances on II now You've got to
know for sure whether you think you
could get along with me or not. and
] Amt a-going to lose for overlooking
my hand"
This was iove-making Of a sort be
yond Dede's experience. Nor had she
ever heard OF anything like II
$50 you see." he urged. lust for a
square deal we've got TO see some
more of each other this winter. Most
likely your mind Amt made up yet"
But II is" she interrupted. Il
wouldn't dare permit myself to care for
you Happiness. for me. would not lie
that way. like you. Mr.. Harnish
and all that. but II can never be more
than that"
ITS because you don't like my way
q living" he charged. thinking In his
own mind Of the sensational Joy-rides
and general pronigacy with which the
newspapers had credited hjn-think
ing this. and wondering whether oil
cot. In maiden modesty. she would
Alsclaim knowledge Of It.
To his surprise. her answer was na,
end Incorporating
mo: don't"
n know I've Been brash on some oil
eA0ee rides that got into the papers.
he Lexsn Lis defence and that I've