Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-12-02
too occupied now. I'm afraid."-

NJ NAl'iIAIu.
bill" cried Brick w%arningly. you're
a-going to start Il fire where they amt
V been no kindling laid"
Wilfred rose hastily. Il shoulu like
dearly to come and come often" he ex-
claimed, but l couldn't force myself
where I'm not wanted.'
I'm that case" remarked Bill inflex-
IDLY, you're seeing me for the last
time and may look your fll.'
Wilfred smiled at him t%olerantly and
turned to Wilcox. II ought to go to
my work. Brick. | won't try to ex-
plain what this hour has meant to me,
for | believe you understand"
He held out his hand to Lahoma
who had risen swiftly at these signs of
departure. God bless you, little girl"
he said cheerily. "a mans fortunate
who finds such cases along his desert
trail.''
But you can't go yet" cried Laho-
ma, not taking his hand. "Therc are a
thousand things l want to do with
you that I've never had a chance to do
with anybody else-strolling, for in
stance. Come and stroll. I'll show YOU
about the cove. Brick and Bill don't
know anything about strolling as they
do in pictures. Hold out your arm
with a crook in it and I'll slip my hand
just inside where you'll hold it soft
and warm like a bird in it's nest
Isn't this noble? And 1 holds back
excuse mel hold back my skirts with
my other hand, and this is the way we
stroll, like an engraving out Of the his
tory Of Louis NIV.'s court. Do, oh,
do" Her bright eyes glowed into his
like reckoning stars.
1--WE stroll" he gravely announced,
responding to the pressure of her I'm
gers, but at the same time feeling
somewhat guilty as Bill rolled his eyes
fearfully at Brick.
When they We're a few yards from
the trees Lahoma whispered: make
for the other side Of Turtle hill. I
want to feel grown up when l do my
strolling, but I'm nothing but q little
barefooted kid when Brick and Bill are
looking at me"
Hidden by the shoulder of the gran
lite hill island. she stopped, withdrew
her hand and stood very straight as
she said with breathless eagerness:
answer me quick! Wilfred, amt I
old enough to be a sw~eetheart"'
"Oh, Lahoma," he protested warmly,
''please don't think Of it. Don't be
anybody's until-until l say the word.
You couldn't understand such matters,
dear; you wouldn't know the-the prop
er time. I'll tell you when the time
comes.'
She looked at him keenly. An to
wait for Il time or for a person?
wish you'd never met that girl back
east. | think you'd have filled the bill
for Inc because, having always lived
here in the mountains, I've not learn
ed to be particular. Not but what I've
seen lots of trappc-s and squatters in
my day, but l eve wanted to stroll
with them. | don't sec why that east
ern girl ever turned you loose from her
trap. l think Il mans Il very wonder
full thing, especially a young man
don't YOU, Wilfred?"
mot half so wonderful as YOU, La
homa." His voice vibrated with sud
den intensity.
Hey" shouted Bill Atkins as he
and Brick came around the angle of
the hill. Hi, there. You may call
that strolling, but if 50 its because you
don't know its true na?ne if you ask
me-"
Wilfred came to himself with Il sharp
indrawing of his breath. Yes" he
stammcred, somewhat diZzily-"yes, L
i must be going now"
She held his hand ~bcseechingly. But
you'H come again. won't you? When
L hold Your hand it's like grabbing at
a bit of the big world"
"No, Lahoma, I'm not coming again.
His look was long and steady, show
ing sudden purpose which concealed
regret beneath Il frank smile of liking.
She still held his hand, her brown
eyes large with entreaty. You will
come again, Wilfrcd,, You must come
again. Don't mind Bill. I'll have a
talk with him after you're gone"
"Of course he'll come, honey" said
Brick. melted by the tears that sound
ed i'll her voice. He Won't get hulTy
over Il foolish old codger like Bill At
kins. OF rs he'll come again and
tell you about street ours and lamp
posts. Let him go-hcll come back
tomorrow | know
Wilfrcd turned to Brick and looked
into his eyes as lie slowly released La
homa's hand.
"Oh.' said Brick. considerably dis
concerted. no, l reckon he won't
come back. honey. Yes, l guess he'll
be busy the rest of the summer. Well,
son, put 'er ~thrrc-shake. l like you
fine, just fine, and as YOU can't come
here to see Us no more, being so busy
and--and otherwise elsewhere bound
I'm kinder sorry to see You 60"
Lahoma walked up to Wilfred with
steady eyes. Are YOU coming back
to see me- she asked gravely.
mo, Lahoma. At least not for a
long, long time. l don't believe it's
good for me TO forget the life I've chO-