Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-06-25

down the pass toward Queed. thirty miles
away. Bill would have 10 come that way.
Have 10 give him 4 chance to close M
his business down home,'' Kip had said
with 4 grin. lies 4 large splash on the
local map. There was talk even when |
left Of his going to the legislature some
day. Pretty, good, isn't il 70 have a side
lpal like thar when you're down and outt"
No word came in response to the tele-
gram. Kip said that made no difference.
Bill would be hi> own response. There had
been no chance 70 mistake the urgency Of
the ease. The message had said:
Smashed IL log jam. Crippled Come
at once.
lie had the boys light 4 lantern, 4 red
one, and hang ID on the side Of the cabin
nights 20 that any stranger coming up
the train could not fail - see H.. And he
slept by the open window. waiting.
Then, one night. he had his reward.
There was a new moon, hung over the
pass like 4 silver question mark, with one
lone star just below ia lower horn. Xii
could not sleep. The surgeon whom the
men had brought up from Queed had said
he would pull through.
lie might walk with 4 crutch for three
months, but patience would DO the trick.
He would not be q cripple. Kip looked
gratefully up at the silver question mark
a. he thought Of that. lie was mighty
glad.
suddenly Kip %quivered with attention.
He caught the sound Of horses down the
trail, and called out "a the two Canadians.
who had bunked with him since the acci
dent
ats Bilr' The men were almost u ex-
cited a. Kip.
Good old Bill" Kip muttercd. living
with clenched hands and tense, happy face.
"Why don't he let out a yell, Light
the lamp, boys. ! want 10 see hi~ face"
lie tried "a turn on one side III order
to zee the door. ~ they stumbled out. still
half asleep. There came the sound Ut
voices outside. confused, half muffled, and
the door was pushed back suddenly.
Kip. Kip! Where are youl"
Kip was speechless. lie stared III III,
figure standing there in the dim lamp
light, the riding cloak thrown bach from
her shoulders. her fair hair blown and
curly about her dear face. Before he
could Get hiS voice back shc had found
him and was kneeling II hi side. her cheek
pressed 10 his. her arms around him. and
he felt her tears on his face.
II didn't know whether I'd find Won
alive, Kip" she faltered ''but | came iu~t
a. soon a. | could"
You came'-his eyes looked IA her hun
grily-''all the way out from home III
met Why didn't Billie come in? Isn't hc
here, too"
She he~itated. smiled and flushed.
Il came alone, Kip. Billie's IN the east
'ln the ea>is Where I When did he
gof"
in New York. We don't hear from hIm.
very often"
Don't vou2" said Kip grimIy. 1--we.
been hearing from him every week for III
year and 4 half, Ruth. lie stood ~ me
IN the fight up here ~ no partner ever did.
and his letters have kept my nerve up when
things looked mighty black"
KIP" she whispered, don't ~cold me
for deceiving YOU, but. A. 4 matter III fact.
wrote the letters. and sent the money
had IN the bank. did not need II \ ht.
Kip, and YOU did"
Kip tried 10 show hi~ protest and hi
surprise. but Ruth went on with her ex-
lplanation.
''BilIie went away and left YOU alone
here and l-l-well. | was Interested, and
wanted you ID win, don't Won under
lstande SO | wrote the letters III his name,
and ! sent the money in hi, name, because
! knew you'd refuse Il If You thought i'll
came from me.
Il think must write a very manly.
practical letter, Or YOU would nave di~coy-
cred me"
"They were the cheerie>t, bullie~t let
tiers q man ever got" Kip exclaimed. hold
Ing her back from him. ~ he could zee her
face.
well bc married tomorrow, my part
ner girl. just tell the boys IL send that
man who brought YOU ~ tonight for \
minister from Queed. and ven make this
partnership binding"
"All right, partner
To kip's happy surprise she brlskly left
the room and carried ont his suggestion.
did YOU really tell himt" Kip asked III
her return.
"Of course | did. I'm Just ~ crazy
about You ~ YOU are about me-
! Ruth laughed and drew oft her gloves.