The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-04-27
CUpID'S new WEAPON
BY LOIS GRAFTON.

Sl1OeS anu pluCeS vi uulioW icu6cr
where pieces of rock might have fallel
away since the last ranger passed OF
his lonely patrol.
But the mountain ponies were sure
footed-too sure-footed, for they wen
close to the edge sometimes. Thu
horse the girl rode insisted on walking
as far away from the cliff as possible
The man kept his eye on the girl
Most of the time her left foot was dan
Cling over space. but she gave M
sign that she was afraid.
When night came they camped In 6
valley, and after supper most Of the
weary souls crawled into bed. A few
still fingered, however, around the
great fire. The man and the girl sal
apart talking.
"You are not afraid of anything, are
your" he said.
She laughed. Goodness. yes-spi-
ders and mice. measles and burglars
81 doubt itr
"What did l do to make you think
| was-brave?"
Most girls would have screamed or
tainted when that horse went so close
to the edge"
"And / kept quiet. That was only
the instinct of self-preservation. l
didn't want to scare him."
"That isn't true. I'm afraid. ] insist
on giving you the palm of courage"
"And l insist that am as much of
a coward as anybody"
"What are you afraid of, Them"
81 told you-burglars for one thing"
"And?"
"You for another"
"Me?"
"Yes. You insist on dragging my
failings out into daylight and analyz-
ing them. suppose you'll soon dis
cover that I'm fond Of vegetable soup
and hate to use semicolons, and that
incidentally these riding boots have
rubbed my stockings into tatters."
"I'd forgotten. You must be dead
tired" He got up instantly and helped
her to her feet. go to bed now and
be fresh for new worlds tomorrow"
He pressed her hand warmly and
was gone.
They were together a great deal
after that; they rode side by side when
possible. sat together at meals. and
had splendid campfire talks. He in
sisted on calling her brave as each day
brought new risks which she took
without flinching.
The trip came to an end; the man
ook train for Seattle, the girl went
east, and the party scattered In all
directions.
The girls family had not come home
rom Canada and she undertook the
opening of the townhouse.
She had long, quiet evenings alone
lfter busy days, and she lived over
Ter wonderful time In the mountains. |
There were camera views to go over, |
ONE of the man. Hes so different |
rom most men," she unused. $50 big. |
les been all over the world. he says.
suppose he builds bridges and tun-
els mountains and constructs dams
nd aqueducts. for he would never be
ontent to spend his time doing little
hings."
One evening, after looking through
err travel book again, she decided to
o to bed. Hulda. the cook, had gone
D her room on the third floor, and she
,as alone. She made round of the
Doms, fastened windows, swapping on
,cks and turning out lights.
Then she returned TO the library to
witch off the table light before going
pstairs.
And there stood man with q black
TASK over his face and an automatic
,ady for action.
"Ohl" said the girl, standing quite
ill.
Keep quiet" said the intruder. land
won't hurt YOU"
And the girl kept very quiet; In
nth, she slipped in a heap to the
Dor, for she had tainted.
"I'm fool |" A mans voice was
lie first thing she heard when her
nses came back. She was on a couch
Id Hulda was rubbing her face and
,nds. She thought she knew the
,ice.
The girl sat up. your she cried.
Eyes, 1 ~ said the man grimly, the
an with whom she had Travelled over
70 miles of mountains.
"And here I've been thinking you did
g, wonderful things to help the world,
Id you're al"
"a burglar? No, I'm not really.
stem. just got back from the West
day-this evening-and | couldn't 20
sleep until had located your house.
was too late to come in. but just
,nted to know where you lived.
hen was passing saw a man work.
9 at the side window, so | got the
rner policeman and we nabbed him. /
len | thought of something, Just
81 notion Of mine to test your cour-
e further. for | didn't believe you
len you said you were afraid of bur-
lrs. You know what 1t was.
Eyed burglar. Forgive mel"
And ! played baby" she said. \
named.
you are adorable, and | love you"
d the man.