Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1915-02-18

rooms Of the ranch house of her IA
Their, the dainty muslin curtains, the
plano, the comfortable rocking chairs.
and the new velourcovered davenport
folding bed of which she and Nil had
been 30 proud.
Jim returned with the water. For
want OF q chair, the weary girl had
dropped down on the side Of the bed
and halfreclined against pillow. He
dipped up Q dripping cupful and gave
II 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 It 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 q panic she fought him on.
She flung the cup across the room,
scattering the clean boards Of the
floor with the remaining drops.
"oh!" she cried. II want to 60 back.
Jim. I'm afraid! I can't cook and
wash, and-and all the rest. I don't
want to marry you-or anybody. I
want to ride and have beaux and sleep
with Mil"
He was on his feet beside her now,
with q different look on his strong
features. His crooked mouth was al
most q straight line. His eyes were
serious with purpose.
Little girl" he said In q slow, hurt
voice, well 60 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, I hadn't thought Of your mindin'
that.
II had meant to help. I had ex-
pected to give you every minute Of my
time that I could spare from maxim
Twin for us both. I had wanted to
devote It all to maxim you happy. I
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 friendly visit, and
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 q heavy-set man.
II don't know" said Jim, but can
ride him."
It behooves a man to talk discreetly |
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 it was fastened |
to his saddle which lay on the ground,
and turned toward the corral without |
o 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
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 q
girlish treble.
"Jim," It 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 bucket which was suspended by
q 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 filed her.