The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-03-23

Am IT. he asked.
"You sure are. and you'll see II your.
self by and by. You've no call to get
wire edged about Mr.. Norcross. He's
not very strong He's just getting well
OF long sickness. knew a chill
would finish him, that's why ! gave
him my sl,ckef. II didn't hurt NE,
and maybe Il saved his life. Id d. II
again n necessary"
"since when did you start q hospita
for eastern tenderfeetT' he sneered
then his tone changed to one of down
right command. You want to cut this
all out. ! tell you! won't have any
more Of Il! The boys up at the mill are
all taIkin' about your interest In this
little whelp. and I'm getting the brand.
Ing Iron from every one ] meet Sam
saw you 70 into the barn with that
dude. and that would have been all
over the country tomorrow. II I hadn't
told him I'd sew his mouth up II be
said word about It. OF course don't
think you mean anything by this cod.
dim"
"0h. thank you" she interrupted.
with flaming. quick. indignant fury
THAT'S mighy nice Of you. | went tc
the barn to show Mr.. Norcross where
to stall bis horse. ! didn't know Sam
was here"
He sneered: mo. I bet you didn't
She nred at this. Come now! Some.
thing nasty is In your mind. Go on.
| What hau \
30 botr
He began to weaken. II don't accuse
you Of anything but r.
Yes. you do-in your heart you dis.
trust me-you just as much as said SOL
He was losing his high air Of com
mand. Never mind what said. Ber
rie. r.
She was blazing now. But I de-
miDd-l mind whole lott didn't
think II Of you" she added as she re
allied his cheapness. his coarseness
Il didn't suppose you could even think
such things of me. | don't like It,"
she repeated. and her tone hardened.
"and guess you'd better pull out OF
here-for good. II you've no more
| u
and never come back"
you don't mean THAR
Yes. do! You've shown this vel.
low streak before. and I'm tired Of Il
This Is the limit I'm done with you
She stood between tears and benumb.
Ing anger now. and he was scared
Don't say that, Berrier' he pleaded.
trying TO put his arm about her.
Keep away from me!' She dashed
his hands aside. II hate you. never
want to nee you again. She ran into
her own room and slammed the door
behind her
Beden stood for a long time with
his back against the wall. the heat Of
his resentment utterly gone. an empty.
aching place In his heart. He called
her twice, but she made no answer.
and so at last he mounted his horse
and rode away.
Young Norcross. much AS he admired
Berrie. was not seeking to exchange
her favor for her lovers elmity. and
he rode away with an uneasy feeling
OF having innocently made trouble for
himself as well as for fine. true heart
ed girl.
What a good friendly talk We were
having" he said regretfully. And to
think she is TO marry that big. scowl
ing brute. How could she turn Ian.
don down for a savage like thatr
He was Just leaving the outer gate
when Belden came Gathering up and
refined his horse across the path and
called out; See here. you. young skunk
You're poor. white livered tender
foot. and ! cant bust you as | would
full grown man. but | reckon you
better not ride this trail any more"
why notT" Inquired wayland
Belden glared. Because ! tell you
so. Your sympathy hunting game has
just about run into the ground You've
worked this baby dodge about long
enough. You're not 80 almighty sick
as you put up TO be. and you'd betteI
hunt some other cure for lonesomeness
or I'll just about cave your chest in"
All this was shockingly plain talk for
slender young scholar TO listen to
but Norcross remained calm. II think
you're unnecessarily excited" he re
marked II have no desire to make
trouble I'm considering Miss Berea
who Is too fine to be worried by us"
His tone was conciliating. and the
cowman. IN spite of himself. respond
ed TO It. That's why ! advise you e
60 She was all right till you came
Colorado's a big place. and there are
plenty other zine ranges for men OF
your complaint. Why not try Routt
county; This Is certain, you cant
stay In the same valley with my girl
! serve notice of that"
You're making n prodigious ass OF
yourself" observed Wayland. Will
calm contempt
you think 80, do your Well, III
make Jack rabbit out of you II
lind you on this ranch again You've
worked on my girl in some way ill
she's just about quit me. don't ses
how you did Il. you measly little pup
but you surely have turned her against
me-" His rage burst into flame as he
thought Of her last words IF you
were so much as half a man I'D break
Won I'm Two pieces right now. hut you're