The Ordway new era., 1917-02-02

~ reckon IL wouldn't hardly DC non
%, for me to come. I've told 70 !
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. mace
hir, feel Ike a man whose thirst was
killing him and who sazed At cieaf
spring beyond his reach-or. IKE inc
caravan driver whose sight Is tortured
nv a mirage. He drew long breath
then added:
I've go, another reason an
stronger one for not comm over there
very often. Any time ye wants me TOT
ANYTHING I reckon ye knows I'll come.
What is your reasonF she demand.
ed.
u aint never been much Interested
IN any woman" He held her eyes so
directly that a warm color suddenly
flooded her cheeks. then he went on
with naked honesty and an uhcon-
cealed bitterness OF heart: When
puts myself in the way OF hayin' 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
astoulshment, then she exclaimed:
Ashamed OF you, / don't think any
woman would be ashamed of you. Mr..
Eavey," but. recognizing that her voice
had been overserious. she laughed. and
once more her eyes danced with gay
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
MIR. Hayey." she said with great
seriousness. I'm glad you said that
II 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 don't" he fercely in.
terrupted her.
Neither will you fall in love with
ne. You told me once OF your superior
age and wisdom. but in some things
you are still a boy. You are 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 q way congenial. you
are mistaking our friendship for dan
ger OF love"
Danger OF love, He knew that II
had gone past mere danger, and his
eyes for a moment must have shown
that he realized its hopelessness, but
Juanita shook her head and went on:
Don't do il II would be a pity. I'm
rather hungry. too. for friend;
don't mean for 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 II 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 uske
it necessary for her to decline it
| Henceforth life for Anse Havey was
10 mean heartache. but II she want.
ed his allegiance she might call II
what she would. It was hers.
Swiftly he vowed in his heart to set
seal on his lips and play the part she
s-ad assigned TO him.
I'm right glad ye 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 ye.I 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 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.
OF that Alexander the Great is little
too fond of himself. or Napoleon -
1 overmoody. come over here and we'E
Try to cheer each other up"
| Il reckon" he said with an answer.
Ing smile, I'm liable to feel that way
| tonight but amt comm To learn civil