The Lamar register., 1913-07-02

uO00eO Vhbuely tOWdTu Tie SOuth.
II thought perhaps it suited your
convenience" His companion watched
him gravely. Are you quite sure
that your sisters guests have not
had something to do with this sudden
determination"
81 am quite sure. never liked the
old Flying Heart 80 much as l do to-
day. l never regretted leaving 1t 70
much as / do at this moment"
I'VE may be gone before you ~
turn"
Young Chaplin started. you don't
mean that. really?"
Mrs. Keap nodded her dark head.
1T was all very well for me to chap
eron Helen on the way out from the
east. butt isn't exactly regular for
me to play that part here with other
young people to look after"
but you understand. Of COURSE
Jean must have explained to you.
Mother was called away suddenly. and
she can't get back now. You surely
won't leave-you can't" Chaplin add
cd, hopefully: "Why. you would break
up Jeans party. You see. there's no
body around here to take your place"
"But-"
Nonsense! This is an unconven-
tional country. What's wrong with
you as a chaperon. anyway? Nobody
II. And I'll be back as soon as l can.
DO you really think that would
help?" Roberta's eyes laughed humor-
ously.
I'm not thinking Of the others. I'm
thinking Of myself" declared. the
young man. boldly. II don't want you
TO 90 before return. You must noti
II you 70. IL shall follow you" He
grasped her hand impulsively.
"Ohi" exclaimed the chaperon.
This makes It even more impossible.
Col Col" She pushed him away. her
color surging. go to your old Eleven
Z Ranch right away"
'But I mean It." he declared. earn
sstly. Then, as she retreated farther:
TITS no use. shan't go now until"
You have known me less than .
week."
''rhat IL long enough. Roberta"
Mrs. Keap spoke with honest en-
barrassment. Listen! Don't you see
what . situation this f.? II Jean and
Helen should ever discover"
"Jean planned 1t all; even this"
Mrs. Keap stared at him in Mortified
silence.
You do love me, Roberta?" Chaplin
undertook to remove the girls hands
from her face. when a slight cough In
the hall behind caused him to turn
suddenly in time to see Berkeley Fres-
NO passing the open door.
There! You see!" Mrs. Heaps face
was tragic. you see!" She turned
and fed. leaving the master of the
ranch in the middle of the floor. be-
wildered. but bit inclined to bs
happy. A moment later the plump
face Of Berkeley Fresno appeared eau.
tiously around the door-jamb. He
coughed again gravely.
II happened to be passing" said he.
you'll pardon me?"
"This Is the most thickly settled
spot in New Mexico!" Chaplin declared
with an artificial laugh, choking his
Indignation.
Fresno slowly brought his round
body out from concealment.
81 came in to get match"
"Why don't you carry matches?"
Fresno pulled complacently upon his
pipe. This" he mused as his host
departed, eliminates the chaperon.
and that helps some"
Still Bill Slower lost no time in
breaking the news to the boys.
There's something comm or" he
advised Willie. We've got another
foot-runner!"
II he had hoped for an outburst of
rapture on the part of the little gun
man he was disappointed. for Willie
shifted his holster. smiled evilly
through his glasses. and inquired. with
ominous restraint:
where is her"
Being the one man on the Flying
Heart who had occasion to wear q
gun. Willie seldom smiled from q
sense of humor. Here 1t may be said
that. deceived at first by his scholarly
appearance, his fellow-laborers had
jibed at Willie's affectation of swing.
ing holster, but the custom. had Ian.
guished abruptly. When 1t became
known who he was. the other ranch.
hands had volubly declared that this
was . free country. where . man