Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1915-09-08

Do you have to 60 70 -::sss E!s ore Win
him? You never did have my sense sense
d bout your actions with men,. You've
all along been too free Of your reputa-
ton, and now I'm going to take care
of it for you. I won't have you nursin'
this runt any longer"
She perceived now the full measure
of his base rage. and her face grew
pale and set. You're making per-
feet fool of yourself. Cliff" she said.
with portentous calmness.
"Am I?' he asked.
''You sure are. and you'll see it your
self by and by. You've no call to get
wire edged about Mr.. Norcross. He's
not very strong. He's just getting we'll
of long sickness. l knew chill
would finish him. that's why gave
him my siicker. 1t didn't hurt me,
and maybe it saved his life. I'd do 1t
again If necessary"
"Since when did you start hospital
for eastern tenderfeet?' he sneered.
then his tone changed to one Of down
right command. You want to cut this
all out. ] tell you: | won't have any
more Of It! The boys up ut the mill arc
all tulkin' about your interest in this
little whelp, and I'm getting the brand
ing iron from every one J meet. Sam
saw you 80 into the barn with that
dude. and that would have been all
over the country tomorrow, If hadn't
told him I'd sew his mouth up If be
said a word about it. or course I don't
think you mean anything by this cod.
dim"
"Oh. thank you," she interrupted.
with flaming. quick. indignant fury.
That's mighy nice OF you. | went to
the barn to show Mr.. Norcross where
to stall his horse l didn't know Sam
was here"
He sneered: mo. / bet you didn't
She fired at this. Come now! Some
thing nasty Is in your mind. Go on!
What have l done? What makes you
SO hot?"
He began to weaken. Il don't accuse
you Of anything. I-but r.
''Yes. you do-in your heart you dis
trust me-you just as much as said so!'
He was losing his high air Of com.
mand. Never mind what l said, Ber-
RE. T.
She was blazing now. But l do
mind-l mind a whole lott didn't
think 1t of you." she added as she re-
allied his cheapness. his coarseness.
II didn't suppose you could even think
such things Of me. don't like it,"
she repeated. and her tone hardened.
land l guess you'd better pull out of
here-for good. II you've no more
faith in me than that want you to SC
and never come back"
You don't mean that!'
Eyes. l do! You've shown this vel
low streak before. and I'm tired, of it
This is the limit I'm done with you"
She stood between tears and benumb-
ing anger now. and be was scared
Don't say that. Berrie" he pleaded.
trying to put his arm about her.
keep away from met" She dashed
his hands aside. II hate you. l never
want to see you again. She ran into
her own room and slammed the door
behind Der.
Relden stood for a long time with
bis back against the wall, the heat of
his resentment utterly gone. an empty,
aching place in his heart. He called
her twice, but she made no answer.
and so at last he mounted his horse
and rode away. as,3
j Young Norcross. much MS he admired
: Berrie. was not seeking to exchange
her favor for her lovers enmity. and
he rode away with an uneasy feeling
of having innocently made trouble for
himself as well as for fine. true heart.
ed girl.
What good friendly talk We were
having" he said regretfully. And to
think she Is to marry that big. scowl-
ing brute! How could she turn Lam
don down for a savage like that?"
= He was just leaving the outer gate
when Belden came Gathering up and
reined his horse across the path and
called out: See here. you young skunk!
You're a poor. white livered tender
foot. and l can't bust you as / would
a full grown man. but l reckon you
better not ride this trail any more''
"Why not?" inquired Wayland.
Belden glared. Because ] tell you
so. Your sympathy hunting game has
just about run into the ground. You've
worked this baby dodge about long
enough. You're not so almighty sick
as you put up to be. and you'd better
hunt some other cure for lonesomeness
or I'll just about cave your chest in
All this was shockingly plain talk for
q slender young scholar to listen to.
but Norcross remained calm. Il think
you're unnecessarily excited" he re-
marked. II have no desire to make
trouble. I'm considering Miss Berea.
who is too fine to be worried by U.S.
His tone was conciliating. and the
cowman. in spite of himself. respond
ed to it. That's why l advise you to
20. She was all right till you came.
Colorados q big place. and there are
plenty other tine ranges. for men OF
yonr complaint. Why not try Routt
county: This is certain. you can't
stay in the same valley with my girl
| serve notice of that"
you're making a prodigious ass OF
yourself" observed Wayland. with
calm contempt.
You think 30. do you? Well. III