Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-01-06
DIN BRECKENRIDGE EL[|S

anxious to show herself undaunted.
During my long winters on my
quarter section, nobody in sight-just
the prairie and mel studied out a
good many things, just thinking about
Oklahoma and-and"-
Lahoma said softly, "I knew there
was something else you thought about"
Yes" exclaimed Wilfred, thrilled.
~"9es-there was something elsew
GA little girl, 1 guess" murmured
Lahoma gently, with a touch Of COM
passion in her tone.
you've guessed it, Lahoma-yes, the
dearest little girl in the world"
II wish she could have cared for you
that way-like your voice sounds"
murmured Lahoma.
Maybe she cam" Wilfred's voice
grew firmer. "Yes-she must!"
Have you found a gold mine?'
What are you talking about, Laho-
ma? What has a gold mine to do
with it,"
Because nothing else goes" return
ed Lahoma decisively. "You might get
single statehood for Oklahoma and
write the constitution yourself and be
elected governor, but you'd look just
the same to Annabel. unless YOU had
a gold NINE"
W1lfred gave a jerk at his bride.
Who's talking about Annabel?" he
cried rather sharply. He had forgot
ten that there was an Annabel.
Everybody u.s." returned Lahoma,
somewhat sharply on her own account,
Everybody is, or ought to bel"
Il am not" retorted Wilfred, SPRING
ing to the ground just in time-for his
horse, on being checked, had promptly
lain down.
Then that's what you get!!" remark
ed Lahoma severely, staring down at
the dark blur on the trail which her
imagination correctly interpreted as
the horse stretched out on its side.
The wind increased in fury. For
tunately it was at their back. Wilfred
pressed forward on foot, leading Laho-
mas horse, and, partly on account of
their unequal position, partly because
OF awkward reserve, no more was said
for a long time. She bent forward to
shelter her face from the stinging blast
While be trod firmly and m~ethodically
on and on, braced Slightly backward
against the wind, which was like a
hand pushing him forward.
The prospect Of q snowstorm in the
bleak lands Of the Kiowa appalled, him,
but even while facing that possibility
his mind was busy with Lahoma's at
titude toward himself. Evidently it
had never occurred to her that Anna
bel had vanished from his fancy years
ago, now that she knew, she was dis
pleased-most unreasonably so, he
thought. Lahoma did not approve of
Annabel. Why should she want him to
remain passively under her yoke? I'm
consciously his form stiffened in pro-
test as he trudged forward. The wind,
SO far from showing signs Of abate-
ment. slightly increased, no longer
with intervals of pause. The sleet
changed rapidly first to snow, then to
rain-then hail, snow and rain alter
mated. or descended simultaneously,
always driven with cruel force by the
relentless wind.
At last Lahoma shouted: Its a regu-
lar norther! How're you getting along,
Wilfred:"
Despite their discomfort, his heart
leaDed at this unexpected note of COM
radeship. Had she already forgiven
him for not loving Annabel? ooh, La
homa!" he cried with sudden tender
ness, what will become Of you?"
She returned gravely: "What will be-
come Of Brick? Northers are bad, but
not so bad as some men, Red Kimball,
for instance" A terrific blast shook
the half frozen overcoat about her
shoulders as if to snatch it away.
Don't you wish the Indians built their
villages closer to the trail? Ugh!
Hadn't we better burrow a storm cell
lar in the sand? feel awfully high
up in the air"
Poor Lahomav
Believe I'll walk with you, Wilfred.
I'm turning to a lady %icicle."
do. l know it would warm you up
"a little" His teeth showed an in
clination to chatter. Come! I'll help
you down. Can you find my arm?"
At that moment the horse gave a vio-
lent lunge, then came to a standstill,
quivering and snorting with fright
Wilfred's cropping arm found the sad
die empty.
II didn't have to climb down." an
nounced her uncertain voice from a
distance. 1t came seemingly from the
level Of the plain.
you've fallen-you are hurt!" he ex-
claimed. But he could not go to her,
because the horse refused to bulge
from the spot, and he dared not loosen
his hold.
"Well, I'm a little warmer anyway"
Her voice approached slowly. "That
was quick exercise. / didn't know I
was going to do it till l was down.
Lit on my feet anyhow. Why don't
you come to meet me?"
This miserable beast won't move q
foot Come and hold him, Lahoma,