The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1914-09-18
your father is down at the station

Your father 10 down at the station"
he said. looking for-you."
We'll. he can't have mel" cried Ora
cha defiantly. I'm across the line
now! I'm free! I can do what l
pleased"
But there's the immigration olice,"
interposed Phil Practically. "You will
have to go there-and your father has
claimed you were Kidnapped"
"Ha! Kidnapped" laughed Gracia,
who had suddenly recovered her
spirits. And by whom?'
"Well-by Bud here" answered De
Lancey hesitatingly.
Gracia turned as he spoke and sur
veyed Hooker with q hooking smile
Then she laughed again.
Never mind,." she said. ''I'll fix that
I'll tell them that kidnapped him!"
mo. but seriously" protested De
Lancey, as Bud chuckled hoarsely.
"You can't cross the line without being
passed by the inspectors, and-well,
your father is there to get you back"
But will not go!" flung back era,
cha.
"Oh, my dear girl" cried De Ian.
cey, frowning in his perplexity, you
don't understand, and you make 1t aw-
full hard for me. You know they're
very strict now-so many low women
coming across the line. for-well, the
fact is, unless you are married you
can't come In at ALT"
But I'm in!" protested Gracia
flushing holly. I'm"
They'll deport you,' said De Ian
cey, stepping forward to give her sup
port.
Il know it's hard, dear" he went
on. as Bud moved hastily away. but
I've got 1t all arranged. Why should
we wait? You came to marry me,
didn't you? Well, You must do it now
right away! I've got the license and
the priest all waiting on before
the rurales get back to town and re.
port that you've crossed the line. We
can ride around to the north and come
in at the other side of town. Then
we"
ooh, no, mol" cried Gracia, pushing
him impulsively aside. Il am not
ready now. And"
She paused and glanced at Bud.
"Mr. Hooker" she began, walking
gently toward him, what will you do
now?"
Il don't know" answered Hooker
huskily.
Twill you come with us-will you"
NO." said Bud, shaking his head
slowly.
"Then I must say Goodbye"
She waited, but he did not answer.
You have been SO good to me-" she
went on, so brave, and-have | been
brave, too?" she broke in pleadingly.
Hooker nodded his head, but he did
not meet her eyes.
"Ah, yes," she sighed. "You have
heard what Phil has said. I wish now
hat my mother were here, but-would
YOU mind? Before / go want to-give
you kiss"
She reached out her hands impul-
sively and Hooker started back. His
eyes, which had been downcast, blazed
suddenly as he gazed at her, and then
hey fitted to Phil
NO." he said, and his voice was life
less and choked.
f"You will not?" she asked, after a
pause.
"No!" he said again, and she shrank
away before his glance.
Then good-by," she murmured turn
rg away like one in dream, and Bud
.eard the crunch Of her steps as she
went toward the horses with Phil.
Then, as the tears welled to his eyes,
he heard resounding slap and rush
of approaching feet.
mol" came the voice of Gracia,
vibrant with indignation. Il say no."
The spat of her hand rang out again
and then, with piteous sobbing, she
came running back to Bud, hating
with the stiffness of her long ride.
Il hate you!" she screamed, as Phil
came after her. "Oh, hate you! No,
you shall never have the kiss! What!
if Bud here has refused 1t. will give
kiss to you? All, you poor, miserable
creature!" she cried, wheeling upon
him in a sudden fit of passion. Where
were you when / was in danger?
Where were you when there was no
one to save me? And did you think,
then, to steal kiss, when my heart
was sore for Bud? All, coward! You
are no At pardner No, l will never
marry you-never! Well, go then!
And hurry! Oh, how hate you-to
try to steal me from Bud"
She turned and threw her arms
about Hooker's neck and drew his
rough face down to her
"You do love me, don't you, Bud?'
she sobbed Oh, you are so good
so brave! And now will you take the
kiss?"
"Try mel" said Bud.
THE END