The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1916-09-29

hr drew up at the curb.
rAnd when you have finished your
book y be asked.
Oh. another book. perhaps; that's
the usual way. believe
alma, dear. don't think me unsym-
pathetic. I'm as proud Of your sue
cess as YOU are. but some day the book
Of your own life must have its new
chapters written IN. I've asked you
twice for the big role IN that book,
and I shall continue to ask you until
you confront me with rival more
formidable than your embryo books"
We've been such good friends that
! truly wish we might be more. War
rem. but unless fek that we must be
more it would be unfair TO rs both
TO give you the answer You want now,
said Alma gently.
''Goodby.p said Warren, al the porch
steps. "And remember that If soy
ever want me or need me, I'll be wait
ing for your call"
The next day, Alma set out for lit
tie mountain village where she worked
throughout the summer ON her book.
BY September. the book was finished.
and It's first installment as a serial was
going into type for the November issue
Of leading magazine. Alma went
from the village to ranch.
Books, letters and magazines reached
her in each sehiiweekly delivery. but
Warren's letters had gradually become
shorter and fewer.
"Ah. we'll she said to herself one
afternoon. it's like a man 10 want TO
be everything or nothing. but I'll climb
upon Eagle Rock with a new magazine
for company, and leave all men to
their fate"
She sat watching the clouds pass
below the highest point OF a distant
mountain. but her thoughts were 0f
Warren. She had nnconsciously been
loosening a round rock with the rest
less movement Of her foot, and was
surprised when the stone suddenly
bounded down the mountain side.
Alma got up and looked about for
another rock she could 0islodge. She
found one larger and rounder. which
she loosened with considerable diff
Guilty.
"I1l name this rock for Warren"
she said to herself "and If It goes all
the way down to the guIeh he loves
me; if it stops by the way he loves
me not
She gave 1t push and it went
crashing down among the aspens with
such force that it struck sparks fson
other stones as 1t drove surely ard
rapidly to the gulch below, where it
embedded itself in the red sand
He loves me, even if he doesn't
write" Alma laughed at her childish
ness. but the incident made her feel
happy, and she descended the trail,
feeling strangely elated.
When she reached the ranch house
a large touring car stood at the yard
gate. Alma passed hurriedly into the
house. Then she heard the shrIll voice
Of the ranchman's wife trying to get
telephone connection with a big hotel
at a summer resort 40 miles away.
The voice came clearly through the
thin walls into Alma's room Here
they are, madam" il said, there's the
Elkton house"
Please let me speak TO Mr.. Brown.
the desk clerk. said the woman's rich
voice that had a familiar sound &c
Alma. When the woman spoke again
Alma clapped her hand over her mouth
20 smother an exclamation. 1t was the
voice Of a woman she knew and dis
liked, but a woman famed as a be-
witching widow. ''This is Mrs. At
viii. speaking, Mr.. Brown. We lost
our way and have just succeeded in To-
eating ourselves. I'm expecting some
friends from the East. Has Mr.. War
ren Dean OF New York registered?o A
brief silence ssNo7 Then he may ar
rive on the seven o'clock train. If SO,
VIII you kindly tell him Of our delay,
and say we shall be there not later
than eight7 Thank you"
Long after the automobile went pnf- !
fng on its steep way Alma sat staring
at the ugly wall paper OF her tiny
room, but for once she was uncon-
scious Of its ugliness.
The next morning she was ready to I
laugh al herself for having spent a /
sleepless night. Seated under big l
pine midway along path that led to
A deserted mining shaft, she looked 1
out upon the autumn glory of the
mountain sides.
Good morning. Miss Mountaineer.
WIN you let weary traveller rest ua-
der your tree1r said a well-known
voice.
~Warren Deanin exclaimed Alma.
and BY the time the name was pro-
bounced she was standing and War
,en was holding both her hands in his.
'sThe ranchman told me you had
started MP this path" said Warren.
You didn't call me. Alma. but I came
n the hope t';st by this time you might
want me or need me-"
''Then you didn't come at Mrs. At
Wills calllr she asked.
Mrs. Atwill7 She's been almost
Killing me with kindness because OF
Ter interest in my military brother
whose regiment is stationed at Fort
Byon. near here. But I came craving