The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1915-01-29

NNiSN lbul Oll NA&N L VIII eAIlull,
and hen III ask you to forgive me-"
ut is much more gracious to forgive
without explanation, and l want due
credit for ahsolving you without con-
fession. But the next time you receive
anonymous messages. won't you please
give me the benefit of the doubt?''
Il did"
"You did"' The girl laughed quietly
as she hung her hat on the pommel of
her saddle and began pulling off her
gloves. II shuddcr to think what
would have happened to me if l hadn't
received that doubtful benefit
WAS l SO insutferable:"
Our horses We're standing head to
head. and | looked straight into my
companions eyes as I put the question.
The Girl hesitated as though careful
ly considering the matter. her Grows
knit and her head ut a judicial angle.
Not exactly insufferable,' she adj
mitted retiectivcly. Just militantly
reserved, magniticently distant. and
virtuously unapproachable."
She Illustrated her adiectives. draw
ing herself up stiff'y and scowling com
ically at me under half closed lids.
You saw all that in one glance:"
laughed.
I'm one or more. I should have ex-
pressed it more simply and said YOU
We're cross if you hadn't denied it,
did | look cross"'
'Of course YOU did" she exclaimed.
''And you may as we'll admit you were.
Have YOU ever played poker?' she
continued. her eyes twinkling mis-
chievously.
"Once or twice" l answered.
did YOU VIM"
Il have never been lucky at cards."
l responded.
Miss Barbara placed two long pins
between her lips and began adjusting
her hat.
THAT has it's compensations. but YOU
are still a bachelor" she reflected. $50
you can't claim to be lucky in love"
she continued as she spearel the last
pin into place. There must be some
it is?"
why I V won at poker?' I que
ricd. II can't say I've given any very
serious thought to the matter"
The girl laughed delightedly.
"Good..' she exclaimed. I'm glad to
thought to everything. for you're look
ing as solemn as Il judge this minute.
Hasn't anybody Yer told YOU what an
expressive face You have"' she went
III smilingly. NO? Well. IL card player
would read it like an open book. Why.
l believe l could tell whether my hat
was on straight simply by looking in
your eyes. Let's see if I couldn't.
Thank you. \ little too much to the
right: No? To the left then? Further
forward? Backward? Oh. | might have
known this test was too severe for any
man,"
stopped and hooked up Dolly's fall
Ell reins with the handle of my crop.
II wonder if you aver heard how a
dull mirror once answered its mis-
tress:" inquired as l looked up.
She shook her head e~ncouragingly.
~ 49, ~ ACSl'olASd. hdu L cCu
brighter I might have been dismissed
with a glance. AS it is. | have held
your dear face longer. Danish me now,
if you wiil.''
The girl flushed, but quickly recov-
cred herself.
And did she Danish it, she queried.
Il heard" answered casually.
"perhaps she discovered it wasn't as
dull as she thought. and
"Oh. she probably kept it if she was
susceptible to hattery: otherwise not
she interrupted. "Wherc were YOU 60
ing when | headed YOU off this morn
ing
ITO Hcfryville. And you:'
$40 that red brick building yonder.'
She pointed With her whip to IL house
some distance down the road as she
spoke.
And them l inquired.
"Theu | return to Pollicet.'
May l wait for you:'
Here: Oh, ! wouldn't think of ask
ing YOU to do that"
1T is l who am doing the askilg.'
81 know, but l may be detained a
long time, and besides"-
You have made another engage
ment:' l interrupted, with sudden
Jealous intuition. Il understand. |
may sec YOU as far as the red house,
may l not" | added after a pause.
The girl glanced hesitatingly down
the road.
IL think you'd better not she re-
piled ut last.
"Why:'
do you really want to know:'
"lf YOU don't mind telling me-
no, l don't mind, but Well, that
building is the county Jail. and I'm go
ing to visit a friend. Now. YOU see
YOU shouldn't have asked me questions.
Goodbye
She gathered up the rcinS as she
spoke, and in another she WAS