The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1917-02-14

showed no trace of overt coquetry, sne
made no effort to repulse his silent
devotion or to check the growth Of
his passion.
A week after the departure of the
delegation found him fully looking the
part of gallant lover-ardent, youth
full, almost handsome. He had lost
much of his former look of penslve
severity. Even the sllvery hairs over
his temples seemed to be regaining
their original rudy brown.
A few days later one of the lines of
levels happened to bring him and the
girl TO the edge of the coulee, across
from the butte. He suggested that
they go down and across to the spring
Ifll for drink.
AS they turned back, Marie recog-
nized the eNact spot where he had
been shot. WomanlIke, she shud-
dered and turned pale ut the recol-
lection, though at the time of the oc-
currence she had been so brave.
Look ~ she said in n half-whisper.
Here is where you fell. 1 thought
you were killed."
The experience was well worth
while" he replied. His voice shook
with the Irresistible passion of his
love. Dearest let me call you that
here, this oncel 1t was here | first
looked into the depths of your heart.
and learned how good and kind you
are"
The girl turned to hide her face
from the reverent alteration of his
gaze.
mo, no." she murmured. Don't,
pleasew
81 must speak, dear" he replied. 81
ask nothing of you. 1t is only that
wish to tell you how you made me
realize again that life is worth living.
When | came from the Coast, | had
lost one dearer TO me than anyone else
in all the world-my mother. She
was little woman, very frail-her
blue eyes were dim and faded, her
hair white; but even when she-was
ut the very end-her dear eyes sought
to ease my grief with the same look
you gave me as you bent over me
here and thought me fatally injured"
"PleaseT begged the girl, choking
back sob. 81 do not deserve
Your mother but l am not kind nor
goodr
Hardy went on in the same voice
of profound passion: you lifted me
out of the shadow of the Valley. You
came TO me in my blank darkness, a
glorious light of divine goodness that
compelled me to see that all was not
wrong with the universe-that even
so great a loss as mine might be for
the best"
81 am not what you think mel
am mott" she reiterated.
you restored my faith and hope"
he insisted. sit would be selfish of
me to ask anything more of you
now"
at would be useless-useless I" she
cried.
He was too little versed in feminine
nature to realize that her vehemence
might indicate an effort TO suppress
an inner doubt OF the assertion. Had
he been a few years younger, youth
full impetuosity might have won him
that which his reverent respect shrank
from urging. He had taken her
gloved hand. He pressed it to his lips,
and freed her.
II shall not annoy you, dear" he
said. yet 1 cannot take that as final.
shall wait until he returns. Then i
shall take my fighting chance"
"You will?' she whispered.
II shall not give up until ysu have
pledged yourself to Kim. II I can. Il
win prevent that. He cannot pos
sibly love you as I love you. II 1t is
possible to win you for my wife. n
will do it,"
Marie quivered, and shrank from
him as If startled you say. when
ne comes oacK- But until tnen
yOu-you will not"
Until then We shall continue to be
the same good comrades that we have
been"
The girl drew in deep breath.
''Then-let US go back to work"
Hardy accepted the suggestion with
a self-control that was as remarkable
as 1t was misplaced.
CHAPTER XVII.