The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1916-06-30
CHAPTER VII-Continued.

To his utter amazement the blue
eyes filled suddenly. But the owner
Of the eyes was winking the tears
away and laughing before he could
could put the amazement into words
You shouldn't hit out like that
when one isn't looking; it's wicked, I"
she protested. Besides, the railroad
rs coming; it's got to come"
at is still undecided" he told her
mechanically. "Mr. Ford is coming
over with the engineers to have con-
ference on the ground with--with the
Cartwright people. I am expecting
him any day."
"And the government"
1.-THE department is holding entirely
reclamation service knows that no
good can possibly come of any effort
to force the region ahead of it's nor
NAL and natural development. And,
besides, none of us here in the valley
want to help blow the Cartwright
bubble any higher than it has to be-"
Then you will advise against the
building of the extension?"
Instead of answering her question
ne asked one of his own.
What does it mean to you-to you.
personally, apart from the money your
father might make out Of it, Amy?"
She hesitated moment and then
met the shrewd scrutiny Of his gaze
with open candor.
Sc, 1u tn
snd--as yours will be. You know very
we'll what 1 meant when / told you
That three times we have been obliged
20 come back to the mountains TOTO
try again. / dreaded the coming of
your camp; 1 dread a thousand times
more the other changes that are COM
ing-the temptations that a mush-
room city will offer. This time father
has promised me that when he can
make his stake he will go back to Ken
lucky and settle down; and he will
keep his promise. More than that.
6tevie has promised me that he will
go, too, if he can have a stock-farm
and raise fine horses-his one healthy
ambition. Now you know 1t all.
He reached up from the lower step |
where he was standing and took her |
hand.
Eyes; and 1 know more than that. |
know that you are mighty brave |
little girl and that your load is heavier |
than mine-worlds heavier. But you're
going to win out; if not today or to-
why, then, the day after. It's
written in the book"
She returned his hand-grip of en-
impulsively and smiled
down upon him through quick-spring-
Ing tears.
you'll win out, too, Victor, because
you are a strong man; you have a
reserve of strength that is greater
han most mems full gift; you can cut
Ind slash your way to the thing you
really want, and nothing can stop you.
But you'll forgive me for being plain,
Won't you?-there is little, just the
least little bit of desperation in the
present point of view, and"
Say it." he commanded when she
,esitated.
II hardly know how to say it. There
vere ideals In the beginning; don't let
hem fall down in the dust or in the
n the mud. It's got to be clean money,
'ou know; the money that is going to
dive you the chance to say, Come, girl,
cts 60 and get married. You won't !
orget that, will your"
He relinquished the hand OF encour-
cement because he dared not hold 1t
ny longer, and turned away to stare
bsently at the timbered tunnel mouth I
hence faint clinking of hammer t
pom steel issued with monotonous
egularity.
II wish you hadn't said that, Amy {
bout the ideals"
II don't know what you mean," she b
aid simply.
Perhaps It is just as well that you T
ont. Let's talk about something Il
lse-about the railroad. President "
ord hasn't decided; he won't decide Il
ntil he has looked the ground over G
"a had ! chance to confer with me-" IL
M hs&N~AA al thA 1nnn With swift "