Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1914-04-10

Ewes CONSERVATION. tuck Miles had
disappeared before the last dance with
pretty Martha. She was quiye-ing
under this last insult when out of the
chaos of the evening had come Philip
Landon's deep voice. ringing clenr and
insisteut above the chatter and move
ment of departure.
u hope you have not forgotten your
promise that | slmll take you home.
Miss Wint0n." he said. and every II
heard him and WAS giad Although no
sueh promise hnd beef asked or given.
Eve had smiled and taken his prefer
ed arm and entered the whiting buggy.
And now. after II sleepless night. she
was racing over the parched ground.
riding away from Buckman Miles
property. which bordered her fathers
ranch on the south.
Over TO the south. AWAY from which
she was now riding. lay the Lazy o
ranch. of which Miles was the owner.
Eve Winton and Buck Miles had
grown up together. and every incident
in EYES happy. care free existence
seemed to have been interviewer with
that of her n~eighbor. 1t vas quite nat
ural that later they should fall des-
perately In love and become engaged.
But there it mad paused. for three
years had passed since Buck had slip
ped "A diamond ring upon Ewes slim
finger. and Buck had never mentioned
their marriage. except in the most
casual manner. ns something very far
ahead In the future.
Suddenly came the pounding thud of
hoofs along the trail behind. She did
not turn around ever when the swift
| gallop broke into II trot and some one
rode at her elbow.
OF course it was Buck Miles. eager
and repentant after his insults of the
evening before.
"You need not follow me-" said Eve
coldly and without turning her head.
II prefer to be quite alone"
With "A startled ejaculation the In
seer rider turned aud galloped rapidly
along the trail.
This action was so unlike Buchanan
Miles that Eve turned and looked aft
err him.
To her horror it was not Buck Miles.
1t was Philip Landcn
Placing both hands to her lips. Eve
hallooed with piercing sweetness. Lam
don turned. hesitated. and then swung
about and anne toward her.
You wished to speak to me?' he
questioned gravely.
.Oh. | am so sorry that | spoke In
that way-you see. | didn't know it
was you. | thought it was some one
else," faltered Eve with dropping eyes
and shamed cheeks.
A light of understanding flashed into
the young mans eyes and then was
subdued.
THANK you for explaining" he said
soberly. but | shall not take 1t amiss
IL you prefer to be alone"
81 shall be glad II you will come
with me- she said cheerfully. "I'm
going to ride to Devils fork"
He looked at the brazen sky.
II hardly believe it will rain today.
but is there water at Devils forkY'
PLENTY Of sweet spring water" was
Ewes reply. and then they rode on
side by side. with now and then a
brief interchange of words concerning
the heat of the ascending sun or the
danger of grass fires. for the crisp
heritage was cracking under their feet,
SO dry had been the long season.
Landon found himself watching the
changing expressions on Ewes sweet
face. There was something irresisti-
BILE In the soft curves of her lips and
the upward sweep of her long. dark
lashes.
Suddenly she turned to him.
you were very kind last night"
she said impulsively.
"You were kind to me-" he chided
gently. 81 am afraid | bored you with
my talk about myself"
''That was only part of your kind
ness" she retorted. and after that
Landon was silent.
They had descended a long slope
and were now in the cool shadow Of
another range of hills. higher. and
broken here and there by small can
yons. Toward one of these they were
riding.
WAttC 10 tie OCNh, INV CiO AtC
his forks?" asked Landon c~uriously
as they entered the canyon.
Wait" replied Eve.
They passed along a narrow trail and
emerged upon a dark and gloomy can
yon whose steep sides were clothed in
cottonwoods.
A little to the right of the trail a mad
white torrent gushed out of the rocks,
and. splitting itself into three worn
channels. 1t raced across the canyon to
disappear in a boiling froth of foam
among a heap of powders.
Under the c~ottonwoods there was
grateful shade and the promise OF
green grass for the horses.
isn't this lovelyY" asked Eve after
she had pointed out to her companion
the stream with its forks which gave
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