The evening world., 1912-03-15

IL IOOko0 po0C0HV4 ~ 0otOS
and inviting, YET smith
force might be there TO greet him.
He had been gone many dsyA and
much might have happsnod in the
interim. It was Characteristic Of Smith
that no did not slacksn his horoes
pace-hs could sauirm out .somsh0w.
1t rave him no conosrn that he had
not a dollar 10 divide with ous3S. ~
ne had promised. and his chagr1u over
tho loss Of the money had vanished -
/, he rode. His temperament Wa sen.
suine. and soon he was telling himself
that 80 long a. there were cattle q
horses On the range there was always .
stAAce for him. Following vp this
ehserful vein Of thought. he soon felt
as mfortable as II me money were
already n mis- pocket.
Smith threw up his hand In friendly
greeting as the indian n came
down the. path to NEST aim.
There was no response and he scowled.
THE old woman's got her suIk ON"
he muttered. but his voice was pleasant
enough when he asked: "Ain't you Glad
to see me. Prairie Fiowerr"
The woman's face did not relax.
"whers you beenf" she demanded.
He stopped u%nsaddling and looked at
her.
Il never had no boss. msSmith." he
answered with si~gnincance.
u"You got . sweetheartr' b burst out
nercsly.
Smiths brow cleared.
Sure ! got q sw~eetheart."
You lie to met"
u call her Prairie Flowsr-my sweet
heart" ~.
He reached and took her olsnohed
hand.
The tense muscles gradually relaxed,
n tho darkness lifted from her face
IKE Q cloud that hes obscursd the sun.
She smiled and her sySltds dropped
shyly.
why you 20 and no tell met" she
asked plaintively.
ut was a business trip. Prairie Flower.
and ] like to talk to you Of love. not
business" he replied svasively.
She looked puzzled.
II not know you q VI business"
'Oh, yes; I DO a rushin' business-by
SPELLS"
She persisted. unsatlsned:
But what kind Of bustnessr'
Smith laughed outright.
WELL" no answered humorousiy.
II travels q good deai-tn the dark OF
the moon"
SMITH"
She was keener han he had thought
for she drew her right hand siyiy un,
der her left arm In the expressive
Indian sign signifyins theft. He die
not answer so she said In Q tone o,
mingled fear and reproach:
you steal Indian horses!'
"Well?"
She grasped his Goa sleeve.
"Don't do dat M moral fla yn.ll.ny
hearts are stirred. Dey mad. hi.
time maybe dey not ketch you. bn,
somo time. yes. You get more brav,
and you steal frsm white man. Yot
steal two. tree COW maybe all right
but when you steal dc white man,
horses DO rope is on your neck.
know-I nave seen. Som time d,
thief he swing In de wind, and d,
maybe pick at him. and de coyote
Jump at him. Yes. ! have seen II liz,
dat"
Don't talk about them things h.
said impatiently. I've been neal
Iynchin' twice. and I hates the looks Of
a slip-noose yet; but l gotta havs
money"
AS he stood above her. looking dowr
upon her anxious face. a thought cam
to him. a plan so simple that he was
amazed that It had not occurred to hin
before.
Undoubtedly she had Money IN tht
bank. this infatuated. love-sick woman
the Scotchman would have taught
her how to ave n care for 1t; but Il
she had not. she had resources which
amounted to the same: the best o.
security upon which she could borrow
money.
fIe was sure hat her cattle @nt
horses were free Of mortgages. ant
there wal the coming crop Of hay. Sh,
had promised him the proceeds from
that. II he would stay. but the sale OF ]
was still months away.
"If had q stake, Pratt3 IloW0," b