Williams news., 1914-12-10

myself; want to marry for love! Can you understand that? Yes? No? Then why do you look away? Have you something that you hold against me? An, you shake your head-but you will not speak to me? When I was at school in Los Angeles saw the cow boys in the west show, and they were different-they were not afraid of any danger, but they would talk, too. I have always wanted to know you, but you will not let mel thought you were brave-Nke those cowboys"
 She paused to make him speak, but Hooker was tongue-tied. There was something about the way she talked that pulled him over, that made him want to do what she said, and yet some secret, hidden voice was always crying: "Beware!" He was convinced now that she had never been party to treachery; no, Tor even wished him i'll.
 She was very beautiful. too, in the twilight, and when she drew nearer he moved away, for he is afraid sine would sway him from his purpose. but aIW she was waiting for some an- swer-some word from him, though 'te question had never been asked. And yet he knew what it was.
 She wanted him to steal away with her in the evening and ride for the Doroer-and Phil. That was what she always wanted, no matter what she safJ, and now she was calling him a coward
 Sure them broncoriders are brave." he said in vague defense; "but there's g. difference between being brave and foolish. And man might be brave for himself and yet be afraid for other people,"
 How do you mean?" she asked
 Well" he said. q might be willing to go out and fight thousand of them insurrectos with one hand, and at the same time be afraid to take you along. Or I might"
 fOh, then you will go, won't your" she cried, clasping him by the hand. You will, won't you? I'm not afraid!"
 "No," answered Bud, drawing his hand away, that's just what won't do! And I'll tell you why. That coun- try up there is full of rebels-the low est kind there are. It just takes one shot to lay me out or cripple one of our horses. Then I'd have to make fight for it-but what would happen to your"
 "Td fight, tool" spoke up Gracia resolutely. "I'm not afraid"
 "No." grumbled Bud, you don't know them rebels. You've been shut up in house all the time-if you'd been through what have in the last six months you'd understand what I mean" /s.
 ''If Phil were here. he'd take mel" countered Gracia, and then Bud lost his head.
 "Yes," he burst out. that's jest what's the matter with the crazy fool! That's jest why he's up across the line now hollering for me to save his girl! he's brave, is he? We'll, why don't he come down, then, and save you himself? Because he's afraid to! He's afraid of getting shot or going up against Manuel del Rey. By grab, 1t makes me tired the way you people talk! If he'd done what told him to in the first place he wouldn't have got into this jack-pot!"
 "Oh my!" exclaimed Gracia, aghast. 'Why, what is the matter with you? And what did you tell him to do?"
 q told him to mind his own busi- ness."' answered Hooker bluntly. And what did he saw"
 "He said he'd try anything-once!" Bud spat out the phrase vindictively, for his blood was up and his heart was full of bitterness.
 "oh dear!" faltereG Gracia. "And so you do not think that Phil is brave"
 Hes brave to start things. sneered Bud, "but mot to carry 'em through"
 For a moment Gracia huddled up against a pillar, her hand against her face, as if to ward off a blow. Then she lowered it slowly and moved re- luctantly away.
 did not offer to stay her, for he saw what his unkindness had done.
 'I am sorry!" she added pitifully. but he did not answer. There was nothing that he could say now.
 In, moment of resentment, driven to exasperation by her taunts, he had forgotten his pledge to his pardner and come between him and his girl. That which he thought wild horses could not draw from him had flashed out in fit of anger-and the damage was beyond amendment. for what he had said was the truth.