Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-10-04

way OF the long trail. 1t was a yield
ing to sentiment that Beth herself de
spised. but she could not help 1t when
she came to the crossroads.
The long trail had been her favorite
ride with Miles Hill, but that hand
some cowpuncher had ceased to call
upon Miss Cushman.
From the trail she could look down
into a little canyon through the middle
of which rushed a frolicsome stream.
On the bank of the stream there stood
a horse and rider, a girl on a cream
colored pony
Beth drew a jealous breath, for she
could see that the girl was lovely in
q blond. golden haired. pink and white
way.
As she gazed down there, the white
pony Tipped the stream and, out from
the rocks of the canyon. there dashed
a horse and rider. 1t was Miles Hill,
riding black Poncho. Beth caught her
breath as the man rode rapidly to-
ward the girl. bent swiftly TO kiss her
and. with his arm around her slender
waist, the two forded the stream and
rode rapidly up the canyon and disap-
peared from view.
Entirely heartsick, but with brave
smile on her lips, Beth sat down to
supper that night.
Her uncle, morose, taciturn man,
ate silently and swiftly. and rising.
went away on some official errand, for
he was sheriff of the county.
Mrs. Colt and her two daughters
breathed a little easier after his de-
parture and began to talk to the two
cowboys who ate with the family.
Pa hasn't said anything, but I
reckon he's off on that Tinkerman
case" observed Mrs. Colt.
Il reckon he is" returned Link Pat.
erson, buttering another biscuit.
Some one said Miles Hill had dis
appeared from the range" went on
Mrs. Colt, with a side glance at her
niece.
Jameson limited that Miles was
mixed up in the Tinkerman raid,' put
in Louise Colt eagerly.
Jameson better try again. There
amt a squarer fellow nowhere than
Miles HILL" muttered Link.
where is Miles, then?' demanded
Cora.
Miles? Why. can't say exactly
It's sort of a secret. you know. ma'am.'
Link grew very red and looked al
Beth's pathetic face.
Beth lifted her head haughtily. Hel
eyes flashed splendidly.
II don't know why his whereabouts
should be a secret" she said nervily
II saw him today"
'Oh, you did," queried Link, reliev
ed, and Sammy Smith asked quickly:
IT reckon it 'twan't far from Little
canyon, Miss Beth"
1T was right there. He was riding
| with a girl, very pretty girl" said
Beth bravely.
There was nothing more said con
corning Miles Hill. and after supper
| Beth went to her room and rested hel
weary head on the sill, letting the cool
sweet air caress her flushed cheeks anC
dry the tears on her lashes.
Link and Sammy rode away. ant
from the overcrowded bunk house
came talk and laughter and song a:
the cowboys prepared themselves To-
some merrymaking in the town, 6v'
miles distant.
After they. too. had clattered ava!
and Sam Soy had ceased to rattle
dishes in the kitchen silence fell OF
the ranch house and its inhabitants.
From the veranda below Beth caugh
the drift of voices now and thel
through the confusion of other sounds
but after it grew very still the voice.
came up sharply penetrating.
81 think your pa was too severe witt
Miles HILL" said Mrs. Colt. He sur
was plumb set after Beth, and
showed he was honorable to speak t
Henry about it first"
miles isn't poorer than any othe
cowpuncher around here. and plent.
agreed Cora, who was fond Of her Iii
tie cousin.
It heard him tell pa that If he'd mann
the sum he thought he ought to hav'
before he asked Beth to marry him b
said he would have it," put in Louise
How much did pa tell Miles h
must raisei' asked Cora
Give hundred dollars" laughe'
Louise. Il heard poor Miles telliDl
him it would take him whole yea
to do that out of his pay and then hi
clothes would be so shabby Bet
wouldn't look at him by that timer
what did pa say 10 thatT'
"He just laughed. and then Miles 20
angry and said he'd show him a thou
sand dollars before he'd ask him. an
he went Off in rage, and l haven
seen him since"
Beth. poor child, said she saw hir
with another girl" worried kind Mrs
Colt.
IT'S a shame" cried Louise. 81
Just scold Pa Colt when get hold c
him, See If don't
Beth withdrew from the window an
went to bed There was a singing I
her heart because Miles Hill had love
her whatever his wandering hear
was doing now. He had asked he
uncle for her hand. and Uncle Henr
had refused, but there was a measur
OF comfort IN the thought that Mile
had not been deliberately raitnless. II