The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-12-21

/ Deeu d lldSeuy, anu 81 5tIaSu is
| love sometimes that she would hav,
| accepted the gift even If she had known
| what 1t cost the giver.
At eighteen, then, Billy Louise knew
some things not taught by the wide
plains and the wild hills around her
She was not spoiled by her little learn
ing, which was a good thing. And
when her father died tragically be
meath an overturned load of poles from
the mountain at the head of the can.
yon Billy Louise came home. The Billy
of her tried to take his place and the
Louise of her attempted to take care
of her mother, who was untitled both
by nature and habit to take care of her
self. Which was, after all, rather
big thing for any one to attempt.
Jase began to complain of having
"all gone feelings during the winter
after Billy Louise came home and took
up the whole burden of the Wolverine
ranch. He complained to Billy Louise
when she rode over one clear, sunny
day in January. He said that he was
| getting old which was perfectly true.
and that he was not as ablebodied as
he might be and didn't expect to last
much longer. Billy Louise spoke of it
to Marthy, and Marthy snorted.
"He's ablebodied enough at meal
times, 1 notice." she retorted. 'I've
heard that tune ever since knowed
him. He can't fool me!'
Jase maundered in at that moment.
and Marthy turned and glared at Jase
with what Billy Louise considered a
perfectly uncalled for animosity. In
reality, Marthy was covertly looking
for visible symptoms of the all-gone-
ness. She shut her harsh lips together
tightly at what she saw. Jase certain
Iy was puffy under his watery, pink
trimmed eyes, and the withered cheeks
above his thin grazing beard really did
have pasty gray look.
"Dyou turn them calves out into the
corral?" she demanded, her voice hard
er because of her secret uneasiness.
81 was goin' to, but the winds
changed into the north, n / thought
mebby you wouldn't want 'em out"
Jase turned back aimlessly to the door.
His voice was getting cracked and
husky, and the deprecating note DOM
mated pathetically all that he said. |
You'll have to face the wind goin' |
home" he said to Billy Louise. ''More'n |
likely you'll be facin' snow too. Looks
bad off that way"
"You go on and turn them calves
outr' Marthy commanded him harshly.
BILLY Louise amt goin' home If it
storms. 1 sh'd think you'd know
enough to know that"
"Oh, but I'll have to go anyway"
the girl interrupted. "Mommie can't
be there alone; she'd worry herself to
death if 1 didn't show up by dark.
She worries about every little thing
since daddy died. 1 ought to have gone
before-or 1 oughtn't to have come.
But she was worrying about you, Mar
thy. She hadn't seen or heard of you
for a month, and she was afraid you
might be sick or something. Why
don't you get some one to stay with
you? think you ought to-" She look
ID toward the door, which Jase had
closed upon his departure. "If Jase ,
sick or anything !
"Jase amt goin' to git SICK" Mar {
by retorted glumly. "Yuh don't want {
o let him worry yuh, Billy Louise. If
d worried every time he yow1ed
lround about being sick I'd be dead or 6
razy by now. 1 dunno but maybe i
IL have somebody to help with the I
york, though" she added after pause,
uring which she had swiped the dish t
ag around the sides of the pan once
r twice and had opened the door and t
brown the water out beyond the door
tep like the sloven she was. 81 got I"
ephew that wants to come out. He's i
cen In bank, but he's quit and wants
D git on to a ranch. / dunno but I'll v
ave him come In the spring." f
DO" urged Billy Louise, perfectly C
of the potentialities Of the g
Iture. 81 hate to think Of you two t
own here alone. don't suppose any Il
ne ever comes down here except me- a
nd that isn't often"
"Nobody's got any call to come "
own," said Marthy stolidly. 'AThey tt
Ire amt going to come for our COM IL
ny, and there amt nothing else to
ing EN-" ii
well, there aren't many to come, T
~ know" laughed Billy Louise, shak- IL
g out the dish towel and spreading
over two nails, as she did at home. h,
I'm your nearest neighbor, and I've "
It six miles to ride-against the wind '1
that. think I'd better start We've b,
It half breed doing chores for us,
1t he has to be looked after or he m
,glects things. I'll not get another to
ance to come very soon, I'm afraid. ST
ommie hates to have me ride around in
UGH In the winter. You send for that
phew right away, why don't you, dc
arthy" 1t was like Billy Louise to th
* command and entreaty together. tn
.eally, 1 don't think Jase looks a bit sill
Ill" he
"A good strong steepin' Of sage II an
him all right, only he amt sick, as
see. You take this shawl" In
Billy Louise refused the shawl and ho
4 down the twisted path fringed an
th long, reaching fingers Of the bare ca
rry bushes. At the stable she stop or
! for an aimless dialoe-e with Jase :
d then rode away, past the orchard sa