The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1915-07-08

49, SNi' eul HLlS quickly, he
asked sharply:
WHO is she, Mrs. PetersY'
You mean Miss Mona?" she asked
inzocently.
Miss Mona," he repeated. thanks"
and he added to himself. az wondar |
what her first name ISL"
During Mona's convalescence she
spent many an hour in the hammocl, |
While Billy Barto read to her from his
tavorite authors. who In time became
her favorites also.
Mona liked Billy Barto from the very
beginning. When she began to love
MIN 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.
"Oh, Billy Barto, don't say u wordv'
she cried piteously. II cannot istenp'
THE words are on my lips, dear"
he said steadily. but am not free to
utter them"
INJURED sadly.
"You-you are engagedT he whis-
pered, and when she nodded drearily
he added grimly, $50 am l."
After silence he asked:
"Shall l go away from here3"
mo; l 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 worldv' he muttered.
Then, with one last crushing pressure
of her slim hands, he 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 q
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 dream.
That first night at dinner Uncle Silaf
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.
eff you are not too tired, Mona,
would like to have you meet Mr.. Bar
stow and his son. They are coming a
8 o'clock"
every well, Uncle Silas," she said in
differently. And did-the bushes
come out all right, as you expectedT'
"Yes, and l didn't require Jim Bar
slows help after all But as you hav
promised to marry William it is onl,
fair that you should meet him Ant
If you don't want to marry him now
at doesn't matter much, Uncle SIas,
thought Of her broken romance, jealou
of that girl to whom Billy Barto wa
engaged
Mr.. Renton eyed her sharply as b
held the door open for her to pass on
The old sparkle and glow were gon'
If this engagement to young Barsto'
was distasteful to Mona why was sn
not more joyous at her release?
!. He went into the library and picke
up the evening mail. On top was
letter from Boss Peters Of the Doub
Circle. and tucked inside was a moi
;, from Mrs. Peters.
AS he read Silas Renton smiled.
Ats o'clock, when the Barstows wei
> announced, Silas was In the Drawn
room with Mona.
First came James Barstow. ham
: some, dignified and smiling. BENIN
him lowered younger man In imma
= ulate evening dress.
Before the older men could gre
. each other Mona had flown down Il
long room to meet Jim Barstows u
n son.
= "oh, Billy Bartol' she cried "Bnl
4 Billyg'
= Their hands met, and his arms encl
cled her a,
:, At bay, they turned and faced u
n astonished old men.
= "Father. this is the girl must ma
:. nv" declared Billy Barto. and Jam
!. Rarstow turned to his hfeiong lrle'
= for an explanation.
For several moments they held
a whispered conversation; then 81
- Renton came forward.
" "Mona." he said, and Billy bai
=. turned a startled glance upon III
~ "somehow or other you nave II
= Young william Barstow. and you ia
changed your mind about marry
ad him, see." ,,
- Then it was Billy's turn to expls
+o that. disliking the idea OF ensasi
~ himself to an unknown girl ne u
alt gone west to forget his troubles IN .
Iast shirt of freedom. by chance