Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1914-06-12

w. ~ - W. - ~
Ben B1nney clapped on bis broad brim-
med hat ieaped into his saddle. plung-
ed his spurs into the satin tanks OF
the black horse and tore away through
the gate and out Of the vicinity OF the
Dangerheld domain.
Betty stared after him with amazed
eyes, while behind the open window
in the parior the gold laced form Of
the young army officer shook with 81
lent laughter.
In the kitchen Wah Ching ratified the
supper dishes and grinned cheerfully.
Him no stay supper GOllyl I zee
um come l sec um go skedaddle. Tee.
heer'
. .
Ben Finney was not IN a laughing
mood AZ he dashed wildly across the
green ranges in q light rain.
He was not thinking OF the Sopping
brlm Of his splendid hat. nor Of the
soaked silk shirt which chung to bis
broad shoulders and showed every
muscle, nor Of the dropping plumago
Of the Angora chaps.
Poor Ben saw nothing save Betty'a
startled glance at his declaration OF
love-surprise because he dared to
dream Of heri He choked with resent
ment Out here in the great west they
believed him to be a poor cowboy, de-
pendent upon his $40 per month. with
out an eye to the future. when In fact
he WRs heir 70 a tidy fortune that had
remained untouched In Chicago banks
for three years while be reveled In the
free life OF the plains and earned his
own bread.
The storm increased. The rain heat
In his face, and he was glad OF the
wind and the wei a be struggled
against II. 1t wal life. be told himself
grimly. Only when the SUI came out
by and by IL would bs a travesty IN
his own life, for the sun could not
shine for him without Betty Danger
field.
At last he found himself in q rocky
canyon miles away from home and
with a bewildering sense that he had
suffered a bad dream.
1t was still raining and the sides O6
the canyon were raked with gullles OF
water pouring down into the narrow
creek that disappeared in a smother
Of foam at the other end Of the can
yon.
what shall ! do3'' asked Ben hOarse-
", and there came no answer to the
question OF what a man must do 18th
his life II he cannot get the woman he
loves. All the fervOr of life seemed
gone without that evanescent hope that
some day he might wake up and find
that Betty Danger6eld loved him.
he told himself that he had been a
fool to cherish hope so long. BE ought
to have spoken long ago and allowed
her to put him out Of his misery.
Ben Finney laughed bitterly at the
thought
"Oh, Ben, why do you laugh like
thatT' asked q timid voice at his ell
bow.
81 am dreaming" said Ben, turning
his head slowly around to find that the
voice was not that of a dream girl. 1t
was the voice OF Betty Dangerneld her
self. She was riding her pony, and the
rush of the torrents had drowned the
hoof beats.
Her khaki habit was soaking wet,
and raindrops chung to the red-gold
tendrlls Of her uncovered hair. The
swift ride had brought a roseate flush
to her clear skin, and her changing
eyes were pools Of mysterious shad-
ows.
"Miss Bettyr' gasped Ben Finney,
staring at her. Something has hap
pened to your fatherr'
paffv ahonk her head.
Daddy is all right" she said grave
ly, but something has happened to
me-"
Ben whlrled about, his hand on his
holster.
Happened to your" he cried. Tell
me quickly 30 I can do something"
"Pn tell you" said Betty, with steady.
eyes gazing into his hurt blue ones
""That is why / followed you here, Ben
Finney, because you a help me. VIII
your
with my Hfeg" promised Ben
grimly.
"It's about a man." began Betty. and
her dimples deepened as Ben frightened
his hand on his gun-"a man OF whom
I'm fond. Well, IL love him. Ben"
Her eyes fell, and she did not see the
agony that came into the handsome
face under the dripping SOmbrero.
yes" gritted Ben between his
teeth. you love him-and-tsl me the
rest"
"He came and asked me to marry
him, and then-then"- Betty faltered.
"And then?'' Numbered Ben.
"He rode away as fast as he could
confessed Betty. And 80 ! ran after
him"
"Well. what did he sayT demanded
Ben, who was deathly white.
Betty looked mp and saw the agony
In his strong face.
: "Oh, Benz she cried what are
. you going TO sayT"
Ben stared "MeP You don't mean
me, Betty! Is It me you lover
"Of course, goose!" Bobbed Betty 81
n -. - .aAAlA into hNr