The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1916-01-06

Do II ChHl6 dDOuL tHdL INC youHb
woman from the East went after
Hampden," and the sharp, crude man
OF the hills was to be 10 match for
her. BY another week h could not
fare forth upon the road to the SiletZ,
ride into Toledo, where she was a
matter OF wonder in her beauty and
her smart clothes, or take the least
canter on the rangy bay but what
Hampden met her-by the merest
chance. She vas a revelation to him.
In his crude way he was 800 at the
point where he would have laid down
his world for her little finger. and In
his loose-fibered soul he swelled with
self-approval beneath her notice.
What delicate flattery she employed
only she herself knew. 1t was sutfi-
cient at least, for he unwound to her
his somewhat eventful and picturesque
life with the simplicity of a child.
They rode and talked, traversing the
lonely ways, piercing the mist, thread
ing trails where Hampden had to ride
close at her side to keep the wet foil
age out OF her face, and she saw the
passion growing in him to the point
OF idolatry-which filed her soul with
rioting laughter.
self, and there was no place In the uni
verse SO interesting as this rain
soaked country, this land Of mysteri-
Gus operations.
what are these little, deserted
huts?" she asked him one day when
they had climbed high on a wooded
ridge and come upon a tiny cabin. win
dowless and rooted with shakes. i've
see several of them"
"Homesteader's cabin" he answered.
"Ah-and where's the homestead?
For goodness sake, did any man eve
intend a woman to live here?"
1t was a staggering question to the
lumberman, who knew more than any
other man In those hills about those
deserted shacks. He had been pains
takingly correct in all his dealing with
her. 1t was something he did not I'M
derstand, some blind instinct of his
better self serving his n great pas
sion.
WELL he said reluctantly, you see
that is,-no. They don't often come
here to live. This here's a snap"
"Ah-yes"--there was a note OF
vague p~uzzlement in Poppy's golden
voice-"and what is that?"
why, a Teller comes up an takes
q claim-proves up on it, you know
gets his patent-an' then sells out.
Relinquishes his right to the buyer"
"Oh-and this is only a temporary
arrangement" She waved a hand
around at the dreary clearing among
the lesser growth. THE man who
built this didn't intend to stay at the
beginning. And who was smart enough
enough to buy him off when he got
tired Of staying, l wonder"
IT did, said Hampden promptly,
flushing at the imputation Of brains.
Easy" said Miss Ordway to her.
self. Aloud she said wonderingly:
We'll, what do you know about
that! fancy you made a pretty pile
or Without of such a deal, Mr.. Hamp.
den? Just think Of the perfect e
and oceans of pretty clothes even a
dozen of these great trees would buy!
Pardon-I think in clothes because I
love them"
The Difference of that pardon" did
for H~ampden-and the subtle implica-
ton pushed the advantage.
His face was flushed and he sat
straight on his horse, his khakiand-
blue-tiannel clad figure making a not
%ungraceful picture against the back
ground Of vivid green. He whipped at
his laced boots, wet from the ferns,
and presently spoke out of a full heart.
YES" he said carelessly, 1T does take
brains. A man has got to think to
make money-an' 1t takes money to
buy the things Of this life-pretty
clothes. a woman's clothes, Miss Ord
way.
He suddenly leaned over and laid
his rough hand over hers on the POM
mel.
Every tree would buy a dozen
trunks full-an' ] own millions of
trees"
Her heart was pounding and the
sparkle was dancing In her ~
Millions? Why, that must cover
. great deal Of landl Millions Of
treesf"
"Yes-billions," promised Hampden
rashly. He rose in his saddle and
looked through q natural opening in
the forest down over the dropping
ridges.
why. looki All that-all that, as
far ~ you Al see. to that other
ridge and over beyond It and down
into the other VALLEYS mine. I'm =
rich man. Miss Ordvay, an l got IT.
Just By this"
He tapped his forehead significantly
and smiled.
Truly I do admire you." Ned Poppy
with the naivete Of sixteen. "Brains-
brains-Whys they y nine-tenths Of
tho battle of succeGs and . man with
ouk them ~ heaten - ths beginning"
~PartD6es. ne whispered to sandry
- - pasos4 him thst night In the