Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-12-02
Copyright, 1918, by the Bobbs- Merrill
Company.

Intends"
MY name is Wilfred Compton. IL
have a letter or two in my pocket that
1 got a long time ago. They'd tell
something about me, but I'd rather not
show 'em, as they're private
From your gal, l reckon?' asked
Wilcox more mildly.
eyes," he answered gloomily.
Carried 'em as long as a year."
Nearly two years"
MEAN to still lug 'em around?'
of course I'm goingAto keep EN-"
We'll. I don't deny that's pretty IA
vorable. Now look here, son, I've
been half crazy from lonesomeness,
and I don't believe I've got the heart
to send you away. That gal of ours
she's just a kid. you understand.
Now you wouldn't be taking up no
idea that she was what you'd classify
as a young lady or anything like that,
CHI"
"Of course not. She's fifteen or six
teen, I should think. Upon my honor,
Wilcox, any thought of sentiment or
romance is a thousand miles from my
mind"
Eyes; just so. But such thoughts
travels powerful fast. Don't take 'em
long to lap owe a thousand mile"
"But it's because she is a young
girl, fresh and unartifcial as the
mountain breeze. that I want to be
with her for a little ~while-yes, get to
know her, if l may"
Wilcox turned to the taciturn old
mar standing a little behind him.
Bill Atkins, what do you say?
II say fire him, and do it quick" was
the instant rejoinder, accompanied by
threatening %twltchings of the huge
white mustache.
Wilcox was not convinced. "Son,
if you sets here till we have had our
breakfast and has heu a caucus over
sou I'll bring you the verdict in about
an hour. If you don't like that they's
nothing to do but put out for your
ranch"
Il go on duty at T." replied the
young MAI composedly, but 1 have a
friend riding the line thatll stay with
it till l come. So I'll wait for your
caucus"
THAT friend-one of them devils 1
shot at the other day"
Wilfred Compton smiled with sud
den sunniness. Yes
Somewhere beneath the immense
WhjSEaTs an oncJNpTjnu emilia S1inI,o1
like a breeze, stirring the iron gray
hair. Il kinder believe in you, son.
Nobody can't gainsay that you've play
ed the man in this matter. Now, just
one thing more. You must swear here
before me, with Bill Atkins for an IN
willing witness, that should we let
you make the acquaintance Of our lit
tie gal and should you get to be
friends. YOU two, that the very fust
minute it to you that she amt
no little gal, but is in the way of be-
ing food for love-Bill Atkins, afr l
making myself plain?"
You amt" returned the old man
sourly. you're too complicated for
ordinary use"
'"Then you tell him what l mean"
The old man glared at Wilfred fierce
lN. IF we decide to grant your re-
quest, young man, swear OH your hon
OF that the second you find yourself
thinking of our little girl as Il woman,
to be wooed and o you'll put out
and never stop till you're 50 far away
you'll be clear out of her world. And
not Il word to her, not so much as
one hint, mind you, as to the reason of
your going. It'll just be goodby and
FAREWELL"
You see" Wilcox interpolated, she
is nothing but a little gal, and we don't
want 10 foolish ideas to the contrary.
You takes her for what she is, moth
ing took from nor added to-. In course
she'll be growed up some day, I reck-
on, though may the good Lord take a
good long time finishing up the work
he's begun so noble. When she's
growed up, when she's q it
amt for us to say how you come and
how you go, take from or add to-. But
while she's q kid It is different, ac-
cording."
You have my word Of honor to all
these conditions" Wilfred cried light
ly. Gas a child Of the mountains I ask
for her acquaintance. If ! should ever
feel differently about her I'll go away
and stay away until she's Il woman"
The two men went into the cabin.
An hour later they reappeared, accom-
panied by the girl. Wilfred was still
seated obediently on the rock.
"Come over here In the shade" Will
lock called MS he strobe toward a
grassy bank that slopcd up to Il line
OF three cedar trees of interlocked
branches. "COme over here ana know
her. This IS our gal"
Lnhoma looked Mt the young man
with grave interest ms he advanced,
taking note OF his garments and move.
ments ms she might have examined
the skin and actions OF some unknown
anImnl BIN A..sl@2 nisu watched him,