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

This action OF stabling the horses. [

This action Of stabling the horses. a
perfectly innocent and natural one for
her. led one Of the hands, a coarse
minded sneak, to watch them from a
corral. Il wonder how Cliff would
like that?" he evilly remarked.
Berea was frankly pleased to see
Wayland and spoke Of the improve
mept which had taken place in him.
YOU'RE looking fne," she said as they
were returning to the house. But
how do you get on with the boys?"
Not very WE'LL" he admitted. They
seem to have it in for me. It's con.
slant fight"
Her face grew grave. II reckon you
got started wrong" she said at last
They'll like you better when you get
Drowned up and your clothes get dir
| ty. You're a little too fancy for them
just now"
II don't believe 1 want any more Of
| their company. What's the use? AS
you say. I've started wrong with them.
and don't see any prospect of getting
right; and. besides. like the rangers
| better. Landon thinks might work
into the service. wonder If could?
1t would give me something to do
She considered a moment. "Well
think about that. Come into the kitch-
en-. I'm cook today. Mothers gone to
town.
The kitchen was clean and ample.
and the delicious odor Of new made
bread filled it with cheer. AS the girl
resumed her apron Wayland settled
into Il chair with sigh of content.
II like this he said aloud. 'There's
nothing cowgirl about you now; you're
the Anglo-Saxon housewife. You might
be q Michigan or Connecticut girl at
this moment"
Her cheeks were rudy with the
heat and her eyes intent on her work.
but she caught enough of his meaning
to be pleased with it. "Oh. have to
take a hand at the pots and pans now
and then. I can't give all my time to
the service. but I'd like to-"
He boldly announced his errand. Il
wish you'd take me to board, I'm sure
your cooking would build up my shat
tered system good deal quicker than
your aunt's." ~ -.
She laughed, but shook her head.
You ought to be on the hills riding
hard every day. What you need is the
high country and the air Of the pines
She had read that victims Of the
wl:ite plague always talk in this cheer
full way about themselves. and she
worked on without replying.
IF I were herein the valley-you
and could ride together now and
then, and you could show me all the
trails. Why not let me come here and
board? I'm going to ask your mother
if may not do So"
"Of course you can come here.' she
said when she saw he was in earnest.
Mother will be glad to have you. al
though our ranch isn't a bit pretty.
Perhaps father will send you out with
one of the rangers as fireguard. I'll
ask him tonight" -
IT wish you would. like these for
esters-what I've seen Of them. l
wouldn't mind serving under man
like Landon. He's fne."
Upon this pleasant conference Cl1f
Relden unexpectedly burst. Pushing
the door open with n slam. he con-
fronted Berry with dark and angry
face!
"Why, Cliff. where did you come
from?" she asked. rising in some con-
fusion. II didn't hear you ride up
apparently not" he sneeringly an
swered. II reckon you were too much
occupied"
She tried to laugh away bis black
mood. THAT'S right. was. I'm CHIEF
cook today. Come in and sit down.
Mothers gone to town. and I'm play
ing her part" she explained. ignoring
his sullen displeasure. "Cliff. this Is
Mr.. Norcross. who is visiting Uncle
Joe. Mr.. Norcross. shake hands with
Mr.. Belden." She made this introdur-
ton with some awkwardness for her
lovers failure to even say "Howdy
informed her that his jealous heart
was aflame, and she went on quickly
"Mr. Norcross dropped in on his WY
to the postof1ice. and I'm collecting
snack for him."
Recognizing Belden's claims upon the
girl. Wayland rose. II must he going.
It's a long ride over the HILL
"Come again soon." urged Berr1e
Father wants to see you
THANK you. will look in very
shortly" he replied and went out with
such dignity as he could command.
feeling, however. very much like dog
that has been kicked over the thresh-
old.
Closing the door behind him. Be!den
turned upon the girl. whats that
consumptive 'dogie' doing here? He
'peared to be very much ut home WITH
you-too dern much at homer
She was prepared for his displeasnre.
but not for words like these. She an
swered quietly: He just dropped in
on his way to town. and he's not
dosie." She resented his tone as we'll
as his words.
give heard about you taking him
over to Meeker's and lending him your
only slicker." he went on, but didn't
expect to find him sittin' here like he
owned you and the place. You're tax
ing altogether too much pains with
-:m Cant he nut his Own horse out?