The Lamar register., 1917-11-14
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Billy Louise Showed him where was
the pitchfork and the hay and then
did the milking while he piled full the
hangers After that they went to-
gcther and turned the shivering work
horses into the stable from the corral
where they huddled, rumps to the
storm, and the man lifted great fork
fuls of hay and carried it into their
stalls, while Billy Louise held the lam
tern high over her head like a western
Liberty. They did not talk much, ex-
rept when there WIS need for speech,
but they were beginning to feel lit
tie glow Of cOmpanionship by the time
they were ready to fight their way
against the blizzard to the house, Billy
Louise going before with the lantern,
while the man followed close behind,
carrying the two pals Of milk that
was already freezing in little crystals
to the tin.
Il didn't quite catch your name, mis-
ter" Mrs. Macdonald said after they
had begun the meal. But take an
other biscuit, anyway"
Warren is my name" returned the
man, with that hidden smile because
she had never before given him any
opportunity to tell it-"Ward Warren.
I've got claim over on Mil creek"
Billy Louise gave little gasp and
distractedly poured two spoonfuls Of
sugar in her tea, although she hated it
sweetened.
I've got to tell you why even at the
price of digression. Long ago, when
7 nd
lived largely in a dream world Of her
own, she had one day CHANGED upon
paragraph in a paper that had come
from town wrapped around a package
Of matches. 1t was all about Ward
Warren. The name caught her fancy,
and the text Of the paragraph seized
upon her imagination. Until school
filed her mind with other things she
had built adventures without end in
which Ward Warren was the central
figure. Sometimes. when she rode in
the hills, Ward Warren abducted her
and led her into strange places, where
through the winter or until you get
some white man to take my place"
He took up the two water pals and
waited. glancing from one to the other
with that repressed smile which Billy
Louise was beginning to look for in
his face.
Now that matters had approached
the point Of decision her mother stood
looking at her helplessly, waiting for
her TO speak. Billy Louise drew her
self up primly and ended by contra
dieting the action. She gave him
sldelong glance which he was least
prepared to withstand though. in JUS
tice to Billy Louise. she was absolute
ly unconscious Of its general effective
ness and twisted her lips whlmsically.
wen stake you to a book. ban
mock and a bed If you want TO stay,
Mr.. Warren" she said quite soberly;
also TO a pitchfork and an ak, II you
like. and regular wages
His eyes went to her and steadied
there with the intent expression In
them. Thanks. Cut out the wages
and I'll take the offer just as It
stands" he told her and pulled his hat
farther down on his head. shes GO
ing to be one stormy night, lay-dces,"
he added in quite another tone on his
way to the door. Five o'clock by the
town clock. and al-lrs well"' This
last in still another tone as he pushed
out against the swooping wind and
pulled the door shut with a slam.
They heard him whistllng a shrill. roll
licking air on his way to the creek
at least It sounded rollicking the way
he whistled it,
That's The Old Chisholm Trail he's
whistling," Billy Louise observed un-
der her breath. smiling reminiscently,
..thn NnrN SOM. l nsn1 TO nrefnn1 he