The Lamar register., 1915-03-10

beyond. III lIe MITCHELL uildpl-
dated stove, small table with brown
oilcloth cover, on which were some
porcelain dishes, and the simplest
cooking utensils, hanging on the
rough pine walls, completed the fur
nishings of this typical "baching" out
fit
Jim went for fresh bucket OF
water. and as Bonita stared about her.
the last remnant of romance slipped
away and she was seized with com.
plete revulsion of feeling
She pictured the big. low-ceiled
rooms OF the ranch house of her IA
Their, the dainty muslin curtains. the
piano. the comfortable rocking chairs
and the new velour-covered davenport
folding bed of which she and Mil had
been so proud.
Jim returned with the water. For
want OF a chair. the weary girl had
dropped down on the side of the bed
and half-reclined against a pillow. He
dipped up a dripping cupful and gave
It to her setting the bucket on one OF
the boxes.
She drank long and deeply. and as
he watched her there in his house. sit
ting on his bed. all the hunger and
loneliness and untutored desire in his
being swelled up
He dropped on his knees beside her.
and threw his arms about her, holding
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 remoteucss Of the spot, their
absolute aloofness from human con.
tact, the baroness Of this. his home.
alarmed her
In panic she fought him OF.
She flung the cup across the room,
scattering the clean boards of the
floor with the remaining drops
Obi" she cried Il want to go back.
Jim. I'm afraid can't cook and
wash. and-and all the rest 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 different look on his strong
features. His crooked mouth was al
most u straight line. His eyes were
serious with purpose.
Little girl" he said in a slow, hurt
voice. wen go on to the Pitchfork
ranch tonight II you are OF the same
opinion tomorrow. I'll take you home.
As for the work here. and-and the
rest. hadn't thought of your mindin'
that.
Il had meant to help. / had ex.
pected to give you every minute of my
time that | could spare from maxim a
Twin for US both / had wanted to
devote 1t all to maxim you happy.
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
mildly demonstrated with them for
not coming sooner.
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 man.
Il don't know" said Jim. but can
ride him"
II behooves a man to talk discreetly
in 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 it 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