The Washington herald., 1914-06-10
QUERIES and
COMMENTS
WHOM GOD HATH JOINED.

| and wry figure of the Mexican slapped
the ground. The ranch foreman smiled
boyishiy as he watched his adversary
worm his way on hands and knees to-
ward the bunixhouse. Then. twirling the
hat brim awkwardly between his fingers,
he turned to the girl. who with q thrill
of admiration had watched the swift ex-
plosion OF muscle that had smothered
the Mexican's insoient ranting.
Guess he won't bother you no more.
ma'am," he assured her. 'T seen the
greaser stealin' after you and knowed
he was up to some deviltry. But you've
got to be careful-he's. sneaky little
rat"
| Thank you Madge. the ranch own
er's daughter. reached out her hand. and
Big Jack. after regarding It duoiously.
closed his wiry fingers around II in q
grip that made her vince. She lowered
her eyes before his intent, searching and
bluntly honest gaze. Ever since her re-
turn from the boarding school that gaze
had followed her with the mutely wor-
Shipping persistence of a dog. As he
stood before her. forgetting to release
her hand. something trembled for ex-
preston In his eyes.
Reckon / must get back and take a
look at the stables" he mumbled awk-
wardly. IF the greaser bothers you
again you'll let me know, on'tfyour'
| ''Yes. Jack" There was an uncom-
Portable silence between them. The girl.
trembling and expectant. looked up at
him in admiration Of his uncouth
strength.
| ..rhera vas sornetb;r. .I.a 7 u.n,.S a.
say-maybe I oughtn't to, but reckon
it's got to come out" His voice grew
soft and tender. and she was strangely
fascinated by the minsling Of mastery
and boyish impetuosity in him. suddenly
he flung his arms about her and drew
her to him In a grip that thrilled her
and made her gasp for breath. As he
kissed her savagely she knew intuitively
it WAS the first time his lips had touched
| womans.
After q moment OF dizziness and Ianguid
yielding she wrisgiec from his embrace.
Il amt goin' to ask you to forgive me. :"
he said hoarsely. and knew she could
have hated him II he had.
You mustn't do that" she said
solemnly. Il like you. Jack-1 like you
very much-but-"
Guess ] understand" he breathed.
There's somebody else"
Yes" she whispered. wincins as she
realized how her words stabbed him
It's Frank-he may be here any time
maybe tonight I don't want to hurt
you. but II is best that you should know.
"Yes-thank YOU" He groaned as he
turned from her and walked slowly to-
ward the stable. He turned at the door
and looked back and saw her still stand
Ing where he had left her. He fancied
he saw a vague smile curl her lips and
then he went at his work with the grim
intensity OF a man determined to for
get. But he stopped frequently In his
Undertakings and caught himself staring
in the direction OF the ranch house.
You've got to forget it," he mumbled
to himself
After supper he strolled over the ranch.
gazing foolishly into the haring glow of
the sunset and droning snatches Of songs
he had learned when a boy. but again
the thought came to him that he must
forget. He walked slowly back toward
the bunkhouse, stopping abruptly as he
saw a wrisgling form approach the ranch
owners residence.
wonder what that burned greaser's
up to this time" he mumbled as he warily
started in pursuit. The house was dark
and still. and he surmised the family
was visiting neighbors. The Mexican
and plunged into the thick shadows d.
rectly below Madge's window. Big Jack
mumbled an oath as he followed him
Suddenly the Mexican began to scale
the wall with the agility of a cat. Big
Jack stole into the house, removed his
boots and noiselessly ascended the stair
way. He stopped at a door opposite the
window by which he knew the intruder
would enter. He waited a few minutes.
against the glass, the window was eau
tiously opened and the Mexican crawled
into the room.
Apparently surprised to find 1t unoccu-
pied he began to examine the trinkets
on the table and dresser He had slipped
several objects into his pockets when
Big Jack sprang upon him and threw
him to the floor. Momentarily dazed.
he crawled about the darkened room like
an elusive shadow. and then with a cat
like plunge leaped for the window and
disappeared.
Big Jack saw him struggle to his feet
and with tauntins laugh vanish in the
shadows.
he heard the scratch Of a match, and
when he turned an athletic young man
stood before him. Peering intently al
Big Jack he lighted a lamp, and his
eyes fell on an empty jewel case the
Mexican had left on the table. Big Jack
surmised vaguely that the other was
Frank, Madge's fance. Frank regarded
the foreman threateningly.
II don't know who you are" he sneer-
ed, but it's plain enough you're a thief"
In an instant Big Jack had glimpsed
the difficulties Of the situation. II would
be hard to prove that he had caught the
Mexican in the act of stealing. and what
other excuse could he advance for being
in the girls room at that time? The
charge flung at him by the young man
drove a hot flush to his cheeks, but there
was nothing he could do or say without
suspicious on the girl he loved.
We'll. haven't you anything to say?"
demanded Frank sullenly, pointing to the
empty jewel case.
Big Jack hesitated. He could demand
that he be searched, but that would still
leave his presence in the room unex-
planned. He moved slowly toward the |
door. and when Frank sprang In his |
path. he flung the young man aside like |
a bundle of straw and hastened from the |
house. He ran to the bunkhouse, picked |
up few belongings, and started out over |
the hills. With the friendly stars hang |
ing low over him, he felt a bitterness |
in his heart. His disappearance would |
Identify him as the man Frank had en- |
In Madge's room, and the girl |
he ioved-whom he would always love-I
would regard him as a thief.
"Ferget it, he told himself again. |
she amt for you nohow." As he wan /
dered she seemed so near to him, and |
vast. tormenting cravings gnawed at his |
heart. Alone with his longings and his