The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1917-12-06

4
Catching klght al the gtri on the
wall. the young man excused himself
10 his companion and rode forward.
Lcaplng lightly FROM the saddle and
with unmistakahlo pleasure cleaning
in his dark eyes. be hurried toward
Hope
\ did not know YOU we're home" he
said. the pressure tightening on her
hand. ~or ! should have called We
have been very busy with new deal,
else might have heard trust you
will pardon my unneighhorliness and
let us make amends
Certainly. Mr. Lnwood. she re-
piled,
Her strange. unnatural tone caused
the man 10 study her face closely
There were traces of tears on her
cheeks and her eyes were red
Hope. he spoke very tenderly--
you are in trouble What is the mat
ter Tell me, and am sure | can
help YOU"
lie tried to take the girls hand
again, but she drew 1t quickly away.
Rising, she said with ayerted face.
Mother is Ill, MIR Linwood. ! must go
to Der. Please excuse me Your
friend is waiting for you" she remind.
ed him, and walked swiftly toward the
house.
Rex Linwood gazod after the girl he
had known since early childhood. Why
was she SO reversed. SO changed to-
ward him? II used 70 be Rex" now
1t was the formal Mr.. Linwood." I'm
able to solve this new problem, he
rode back TO Mrs. Cary and accom-.
panied her to the station
On his return to the mine, and after
due elaboration. he resolved to go
over to the Marshall ranch that very
night and force an explanation from
Hope That young lady, finding her
mother asleep and her father watch
Ing near by. went back to the old cor.
raj to think Much as she disliked
him. would It not be better. after all.
to accept Mr. Barden and make her
parents happy In the retention OF the
ranch?, She could. perhaps. school
herself to endure life with him
Sick at heart with the thought, she
began mechanically to pick up some
broken bits of rock. Suddenly she be-
came interested In the fragments, and
nv n mi m NJ hn uol
fully.
IL wish | had paid more attention
to the study of geology" she said
aloud. but they look like the speci-
mems Prof. Jordan analysed before the
class. Oh, If only 1t could be! We
could then save the ranch ourselves"
Suddenly she thought Of Mr.. Miller.
the assayer up ut the Red knight. He
was kind old man. and had once
been her teacher In the public schools.
"Mr. Miller will know she assured
herself, as she mounted her pony and
took the mountain trail She was hop
Ing that she would not meet Rex Lin.
wood just now, but as she approached
the assayer's Office she saw him giving
directions to a body of Mexican work
men.
In moment he was by her side
saying, Il am glad to see you at the
Red Knight, Hope. 1t has been an
age since you have ridden over to the
mime"
Just one year, answered Hope.
IAN age to me- he insisted, serious.
ly. trying to look into the girls eyes.
She avoided his direct gaze and
asked, rs Mr.. Miller in the Office?
want to see him on business
Here am, Hope" called pleas
ant faced. elderly man from the door.
q am glad to find you at home" re-
turned the girl, permitting Rex to as
sist her to alight.
During the next half hour az the old /
was examining the specimens, ;
by adroit questioning he drew from
The girl the cause of her present trou-
bic and anxiety to In some way get !,
hold Of money. But when she rode :
back to the ranch, there was only
'eeble hope stirring in her breast, for l
Mr. Miller had said Il would have to s
see the wall and the place where the t
'ock was taken from, before holding
,ut any real encouragement. Just one a
,r two specimens are no proof" h
Il was foolish to think of 1t" she U
eplied. IT will come to nothing, and
n spite of my determination to the
.ontrary, | have advertised our trou- :
lie. and to no good purpose" !,
That night Rex Linwood rode over .
o the ranch, as he had previously dc
ermined. As the two stood under the :
tarlight he said to Hope, why are
'ou so changed? Have ! done any.
hing to annoy your
Il am thinking Of the future. must
hink OF It, have never known cares
ntil now, and am not quite prepared
0 meet them, ! feSr.'
Nor need you be. Hope love you
lie my wife and let me look out for
our future"
What Of Mrs. Cary?" she asked
Did you think cared for her? I've
ever cared for any one except you,
lope. but thought you we're prom.