The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1914-09-24

MERCURY
BY TEMPLE BAILEY.

came nearer, he wigwagged welcome
with his red banGanna.
America had a little shawl about
her shoulders for, In spite of the sun
shine, the February day was cold, and
she used it for an answering si0nal
Then, smiling, she waited.
You're mighty anxious" said the
young man on horseback, as she ran
down the road to meet him.
IT'S st. Valentines day" she told
him archly, "and I'm lookin' for one.
He handed her a little box.
Well" he said shortly, you've got
it,
The girls eyes were like stars as
she united the string
IF I'd "a known" he went on SLOW
ly, as he watched her, IF I'd "a known
that New York fellow was sendin' you
somethin' nice, I'd have gone him one
better"
OH" she caught her breath quick
ly, "but you couldn't go him one bet
ter than this, jeff"
She held up for him to see spark
ling jeweled heart, swung on slen-
der chain
There's a card in the box" she
went on, and read It with eager eyes.
Jefferson bent down from the sad
die
What does he say?" he demanded
masterfully.
81 amt goin' to tell you" She stood
away from the horse. ut wasn't In
tended for any one but me-"
We'll, you're goin' to read 1t to
me-" His head was up and his
bronzed young face was stern.
Il amt goin' to read it to you.
How'd you like to have me read your
letters to some other fellow"
He waived the question.
I'm goin' to read what's on that
card" he reiterated.
He dismounted and came toward
her
For a moment she seemed to medi-
tate flight; then her blue eyes met
his brown ones in defiance.
You can't force me to give 1t to
you"
Yes I can Again his face was
stern. IF you don't give it to me III
take 1t from you. 'Meriky."
Something In his air of quiet deter
mination touched the primitive In the
girl. 1t was thus that men made them
selves master of her kind. 1t was
thus they won the women OF the
mountains.
"Oh, we'll" she said sulkily-but
back In her eyes smoldered admira-
ton.
He took the card and read the
verses aloud, and his lazy drawl
seemed to add romance to the words:
This jewel, dear, is but the sign
OF my own heart; both. sweet. are
thine
l send them as Valentine
To one | love"
81 guess he loves you. all right" he
said slowly
yes" Her tone was exultant
And he wants to marry your"
yes"
JEFF tore the card into little bits.
"Don'ti" she cried.
Let the four winds take It," he
said bitterly. Il knew there was trou-
BILE ahead when that man came up
from New York to paint in the hills.
You hadn't ever seen such a man. and
he hadn't ever seen such a woman
as you-you had the beauty of wild |
bird, and he was used to seem tame
ones. That's why he fell In love with
you, and that's what would make you
If you married him.
you amt fit to be Gagged In that
little fiat of his. l went there when
was in New York, and felt like
vas in a trap. He showed me the
electric lights that had shades like
lowers, and his pictures, and some
I'D faded rugs, but kept thinkin' how
vou'd die among all those tall build
ngs with all that noise"
She shook her head, and the color
.ame and went in her cheeks.
But he'd give me pretty Clothes"
he said. Don't you think I'd look
ice in pink silk dress and a pink
lat with feather"
"You look nice in anything" he said
Iercely, ito me. You look nice In that
Id Bingham you've got on, with that
yorsted shawl around your shoulders
,ut he'd have to dress you up-and
hen you wouldn't be the girl he fell
n love with In the hills-and he'd
ompare you to those city women. and
fter a while he'd be ashamed OF
ou"
"Oh, how dare you. Jeff!" Her
dice shook with Indignation.
"He would" the man went on dog
eddy. you don't talk like them. and
GU don't act like them-it's kinder to
i'm to give him up"
But he said he'd learn me. and
I've me the things to look right In"
He came and stood over her
rs love nothin' but clothes" he de-
landed. Are you willin's to sell your
nance Of happiness for a pink silk
ress?"
She drew away from him. II
81 don't think It's very honorable
IT you to talk that way" she said.
,eein' he's the man I'm goin to
AIRY"
~. - kf~-.l III