Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-12-31

her close, drawing her face down to
his and covering 1t with kisses. which
In his rough tenderness, he rained on
cheek and lips, and eyes and brow.
You are mine-mine!" he said
softly and huskily.
At another time she would have sur.
rendered happily, but in her present
mood, the remoteness Of the spot. their
absolute ~aloofness from human con-
tact, the baroness of this, his home.
alarmed her.
In a panic she fought him of.
She flung the cup across the room,
scattering the clean boards Of the
floor with the remaining drops.
"Oh!" she cried, II want to go back,
Jim. I'm afraid! l can't cook and
wash, and-and all the rest. I don't
want to marry you-or anybody. l
want to ride and have beaux and sleep
with Mill"
He was on his feet beside her now,
with a different look on his strong
features. His crooked mouth vas al
most a straight line. His eyes we're
serious with purpose.
Little girl" he said in a slow, hurt
voice, well go on to the Pitchfork
ranch tonight. If you r Of the same
opinion tomorrow, I'll take you home.
AS for the work here, and-and the
rest, l hadn't thought of your mindin'
that.
II had meant to help. had ex-
pected to give you every minute of my
time that l could spare from maxim a
Twin for us both. I had wanted to
devote 1t all to maxim you happy. 1
love you! But it's up to you"
And so they rode on in silence until
shutdown. when they came to the home
ranch of the Pitchfork outfit and
Bonita was taken into the arms Of old
Mrs. Durkin, who thought they were
there to make her a friendly visit, and
mildly demonstrated with them for
not coming soone
Bonita was tired and %distraught, and
went to bed early. Good night" was
the only thing Jim had said to her
from the time they arrived. She was
homesick and penitent.
Next morning after breakfast she
was on the back porch watching the
group of men at the hitching post.
In fringed chaps" and with a blue
bandanna knotted about his neck, Jim
was leaning against a wagon wheel
with his hat pulled down over his face
and an air of utter detection about
him.
Are you goin' to try Old Eagle,
Jim?" asked a heavy-set mar
II don't know" said Jim, but I can
ride him."
1t behooves a man to talk d~iscreetly
in a country where he has to prove
every boast and threat. But he was In
no mood to fear danger.
So he flung down his cigarette, took
his rope from where 1t was fastened
to his saddle which lay on the ground.
and turned toward the corral without
a word.
What you goin' TO do?" called one.
Ride him." answered laconic Jim.
And suiting the action to the word. he
roped the old sorrel, and, after some
trouble, got the saddle on him, and
mounted.
The outlaw plunged and pitched a
few times, then reared on his hind legs
and fell back. Jim hit the ground on
his-feet!
And when Old Eagle rolled over, he
set his high-heeled boot on the sad.
dle-horn and held him still.
Then the air was penetrated by a
girlish treble.
"Jim," 1t called, make those men
let you have your saddle. It's gettin'
hot"
Bonita was standing on the porch,
from which vantage point she had
breathlessly watched her lovers per.
Torrance.
Jim made for the house, and when
he arrived she handed him a dipper OF
water from out of the canvas-covered
water buckle. which was suspended by
a wire from the porch ceiling.
The drops Of sweat rolled from his
face down on his neck where the
strong muscles moved as he swal.
lowed.
The pride Of possession filled her.
She famed him coquettishly with q
ridiculous little Japanese fan.
Mrs. Durkin appeared in the door
way. wearing a green-checked ging.
ham apron; her spectacles on top OF
her gray head.
Bonita was looking very maternal
and solicitous.
"You shouldn't have got SO hot,
JIM" she said, authoritatively. 1--WE
have q long ride before u.s."
why, mercy me, honey" said old
Mother Durkin, you're not goin' home
this mornin'? Why, you've skeersely
got here!"
mo. we're not goin' home" said
Bonita, positively, with her new air Of
assurance. We're goin' to town tc
get married. and it's a good ten miles
Saddle up the horses at once. jim"
Jim let the dipper slide back into
the bucket with q splash and hurried
to the corrals, while old Mrs. Durkin
folded Bonita In her capacious, moth
erly arms.