The Dolores star. [volume] (Dolores, Montezuma County, Colo.) 1901-current, 1917-02-02

He shook his bead and gazeS away.
Into his eyes came that troubled look
which nowadays they sometimes wore.
Il reckon it wouldn't hardly be hon.
est for me to come. I've told 70 I
don't think the thing will do no good
He was looking at her and his hands
slowly clenched. Her beauty. with the
enthusiasm lighting her eyes. made
him feel like man whose tsnst vas
killing him and who gazed at . clear
caravan driver whose sight is tortured
BY . mirage. He drew q long breath.
then added: . ~.
I've got another reason an Q
stronger one for not comm over there
very often. Any time ye wants me for
anything reckon ye knows I'll come"
What is your reason?" she demand
ed.
II amt never been much interested
In any woman" He held her eyes 30
directly that q warm color suddenly
flooded her cheeks. then he went on
with naked honesty and an uncon-
cealed bitterness of heart: when
puts myself in the way Of havin' to
love one. I'll pick woman that won't
have to be ashamed Of me-some
mountain woman"
For an instant she stared at him In
establishment. then she exclaimed:
Ashamed of you! ! don't think any
woman would be ashamed OF you, Mr..
Havey." but. recognizing that her voice
had been overserious. she laughed, and
mischief
Don't be afraid Of me. I'll promise
not to make love to you"
I'm obleeged." he said slowly.
THAT amt what I'm skeered of. I'm
afraid ye couldn't hardly stop me from
maxim love to you"
He paused. and the badinage left
her eyes.
"Mr. Havey." she said with great
seriousness. I'm glad you said that.
It gives us a chance to start honestly,
as all true friendship should start In
some things any woman is wiser than
any man. You won't fall in love with
me. You thought you were going to
hate me. but you don't"
God knows l DON'T" he fiercely in.
terrupted her.
Neither will you fall in love with
me. You told me once OF your superior
age and wisdom. but in some things
you are still boy. You are a very
lonely boy. too-a boy with a heart
hungry for companionship. You have
had friends only in books-comrade
ship only in dreams. You have lived
down there in that old prison OF a
house with a sword of Damocles hang.
ing always over your head. Because
we have been in a way congenial, you
are mistaking our friendship for dan
ger Of love-"
Danger of love! He knew that II
had gone past a mere danger. and his
eyes for a moment must have shown
Juanita shook her head and went on:
Don't do it. 1t would be pity. I'm
rather hungry, too, for friend: !
don't mean for a friend in my work.
but friend in my life. Can't we be
friends like that?"
She stood looking into his eyes, and
slowly the drawn look of gravity left
his face.
He had always thought quickly and
dared to face realities. He was now
facing his hardest reality. He loved
her with utter-hopelessness. Her eyes
told him that 1t must always be Just
that way. and yet she had appealed tc
him-she had said she needed his
friendship. To call 1t love would make
1t necessary for her to decline it.
Henceforth life for Anse Havey was
to mean a heartache, but if she want
ed his allegiance she might call 1t
what she would. It was hers.
Swiftly he vowed in his heart to set
a seal on his lips and play the part she
bad assigned to him.
I'm right glad We said that" he an.
sured her. Il reckon ye're right.
reckon we can go on fightin' and bein'
friends. Ye see, as said, didn't know
much about womenfolks, an because !
liked We was worried"
She nodded understandingly.
Suddenly he bent forward and his
words broke impetuously from his
lips.
do ye low to marry that man Nal.
colm?" He came a step toward her,
then raising his hand swiftly he add.
ed: "No-don't answer that question!
That's your business. didn't have no
license to ask. Besides, don't want
ye to answer it."
Its a bargain. isn't it," she smiled.
Whenever you get lonely over there
by yourself and find that Hamlet isn't
as lively companion as you want,
or that Alexander the Great Is a little
too fond Of himself. or Napoleon, -
overmoody. come over here and we'll
try to cheer each other up"
Il reckon" he said with an answer.
ing smile. I'm liable to feel that WAY