Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1915-09-17

her white lips by a recital Of his own
early adventures.
At last they reached the ranch house.
Mona swooned away when Billy lifted
her from the saddle and gave her Into
the keeping of Mrs. Peters.
Finally Mrs. Peters came down.
stairs. Her round eyes twinkled when
she saw the anxious e~Owpuncher.
How is she? Shall 1 go for the doc.
tori" said Billy.
Mrs. Peters laughed.
"She is fast asleep. You needn't
bother going after the doctor. I'm bet
ter than a dozen doctors, specially
with sprained ankles and such. You
know, this is a gopher country"
Billy nodded.
well, I'll be hiking along he said
reluctantly; then, turning quickly, he
asked sharply:
who is she, Mrs. PetersY'
"You mean Miss Mona?p she asked
inaocently.
Miss Mona," he repeated, thanks"
and he added to himself, II wonder
what her first name ISL"
During Mona's convalescence she
spent many an hour in the hammock
while Billy Barto read to her from his
fayorite authors, who in time became
her favorites also.
Mona liked Billy Barto from the very
beginning. When she began to love
him she never knew. but perhaps Ii
was that day when he dropped his
book and, leaning over her. crushed her
hands In his own.
Mona looked up into his tense face,
and the lovely color left her own
ooh, Billy Barto, don't say a wordr'
she cried piteously. Il cannot listenI'
1.-THE words are on my lips, dear"
he said steadily, but | am not free to
utter them"
at is the same with me-" she muir.
INJURED sadly.
"You-you are engaged?" he whis-
pered, and when she nodded drearily
he added grimly, 5 am l."
After Il silence he asked:
"Shall l 90 away from here?'
mo; | am going home tomorrow"
do not tell me where. l must not
know anything more about you or moth
ing could keep me from following you
to the end of the worldi9 he muttered.
Then, with one last crushing pressure
of her slim hands, be was gone.
Mona closed her eyes while slow
tears forced themselves through the
thick fringes of her lashes.
Tomorrow she would be on her way
home to Uncle Silas, and she must be
prepared to fulfill her promise to mar
ry Jim Barstow's son.
She did not see Billy again. Mrs.
Peters did not mention the name of
the handsome cowpuncher, and Mona
did not see his face among the merry
crowd which accompanied her to the
station. riding on either side of the
blackboard. acting like schoolboys on a
holiday.
Home again among the luxurious sur
roundings of Silas Renton's town house,
the days spent on the Double Circle
ranch seemed to Mona like a dream.
That first night at dinner Uncle Silas
broke an awkward silence. The serv-
ants had left the room, and Mona was
toying with some grapes, her gray
eyes fixed dreamily on space.
"If you are not too tired, Mona, 1
would like to have you meet Mr. Bar
stow and his son. They are coming at
0 O'clock"
Every we'll, Uncle Silas," she said in
differently. And did-the business
come out all right, as you expected?"
"Yes, and L didn't require Jim Bar
slows help after all. But as you have
promised to marry William it is only
fair that you should meet him. And
if you don't want to marry him now
ut doesn't matter much, Uncle Silas,"
she murmured. her heart sore at the
thought of her broken romance, jealous
of that girl to whom Billy Barto was
engaged.
Mr., Renton eyed her sharply as be
held the door open for her to pass out.
The old sparkle and glow were gone.
If this engagement to young Barstow
was distasteful to Mona why was she
not more joyous at her release?
He went into the library and picked
up the evening mail. On top was a
letter from Boss Peters of the Double
Circle, and tucked inside was a note
from Mrs. Peters.
As he read Silas Renton smiled.
At 0 o'clock, when the Barstows were
announced, Silas was In the drawing
room with Mona.
First came James Barstow, hand
some, dignifed and smiling. Behind
him lowered a younger man in immac-
ulate evening dress.
Before the older men could greet
each other Mona had flown down the
long room to meet Jim Barstow's tall
son.
ooh, Billy Bartol'' she cried. BILLY,
Billyr'
Their hands met. and his arms encir-
cled her.