Rocky Ford enterprise. (Rocky Ford, Colo.) 1887-1950, 1913-07-11
Copyiskt 1855 b The BobDs.MERFdLL 90.

OUT DANGER. f6TleyS TWO powerful
horses were harnessed in tandem, and
Perley himself. mere pillar of wrap
pings. drove them, squatted on soap
box In front of the two passengers
There were cries of farewell from the
porch and tappings on the windows as
the sleigh started and sped away to
the diminishing jingle of bells. A sad
ness fell on those who watched it.
The little idyl of isolation was over.
On the following day Bill Cannon
and his daughter were to leave. A
telegram had been sent to Rocky Bar
for a sleigh and horses Of the proper
excellence to be the eQuipage Of
Bonanza Princess. Rose had spent
the morning packing the valises. and
late in the afternoon began down.
stairs search for possessions left in
the parlor.
The dusk was gathering as she en-
tered the room, the corners Of which
were already full of darkness. the fire
playing on them with a warm, vary
ing light Waves Of radiance quivered
and ran up the ceiling, here and there
touching the glaze on a picture glass
or china ornament. The crude ugli-
ness of the place was hidden in this
unsteady, Transforming combination
Of shadow and glow. 1t seemed a
rich. romantic spot. flushed with fire
that pulsed on an outer edge of mys-
FERROUS obscurity, center of familiar,
intimate life. round which coldness
and the dark pressed.
She thought the room was unoccu-
pied and advanced toward the table,
then started before the uprising of
Dominick's tall figure from a chair in
a Swallowed corner. 1t was the first
time they had seen each other alone
since their conversation of the day
before. Rose was startled and agitat-
ed, and her brusk backward move
ment showed it. Her voice. however.
was natural. almost easy to casual
ness as she said:
Il thought there was no one here.
you've hidden yourself in such dark
corner. l came to gather up my books
and things"
He advanced into the light, looking
somberly at her.
Its true that you're going to-mor-
row." he said almost gruffiy.
erything's been arranged. Horses and
sleigh are expected any moment
now from Rocky Bar. They rest here
all night and take us down in the
afternoon. think papa'd go crazy
If we had to stay twenty-four hours
longer"
IN follow in a day or two." he
said, probably go down on Tuesday.
the doctor says"
She began gathering up the books.
reading the titles. and putting aside
those that were not hers.
I'm SO sorry It's over" she said
in a preoccupied voice without any
particular regret in 1t. The Mill on
the Floss is Mrs. Perley's. / think"
I'm sorry, too" he commented,
very low.
She made no reply, selected another
at the back. said:
But it's not like regular good
by. It's not as If you were going in
one direction and we in another. Well
see you in San Francisco. of course"
II don't think So" he answered
She laid the book on the table and
turned her face toward him. He stood
looking into the fire, not seeing the
face, but conscious of It, OF its express
sion, of its every line.
DO you mean that we're not going
to see you down there at all?"
Yes. that's Just about what
meant" he replied.
Mr.. RYAN," 1t was hardly more
than a breath of protest. but 1t was
as stirring to the man as the whis-
per of love.
He made no comment on 1t, and she
said, with a little more of insistence
and volume:
But why?"
Its best not" he answered, and
turned toward her.
His shoulders were squared and he
held his head as a man does who
prepares himself for a blow. His
eyes, looking straight into hers. en-
veloped her in glance soft and burn
ing, not a savage glance, but the en-
folding. possessive glance. caressing
and ardent, pleading and masterful, of
lover.
The books that she was holding fell
to the table, and they looked at each
other while the clock licked
Its best for me not to come" he
said huskily. never to come"
Very WELL" she faltered.
He came a little nearer to her and
said:
You know what I mean"
She turned away. very pale. her lips
trembling.
And you'd Nke me to come If I
could-if I were free?"
He was close to her and looked
down to see her face. his own hard,
the bones of the Jaw showing through
the thin cheeks.