The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-02-01
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

Clark Latshaw," he added.
"Hart!'
I'm right more or less" recklessly.
you've been a different person since
he came and maybe you don't know it,
little girl, but l said good-by to my
chances after l saw his valet and
French car"
you're saying horrid things-things
you've no right to say. / think we'd
better go back"
Forgive me, Aleen. I'm a brute.
It's all right, little girl. Forget what
I've said and forgive If you can. I
want you to be happy, that's sure.
Only remember this, Aleen, If you yer
need me I'm ready for a home run ev-
cry time. Promise !"
Il promise on n condition"
"Yes?'
"That you'll do the sameI"
"A man needs help from a
woman"
HE may. Promise any way. Re
member you're my best friend, Hart"
"All right. l promise"
A few days later Aleen was return
ing from the lake to open the city
house for the family. With her on the
Pullman was Clark Latshaw, who
found that he was suddenly called to
New York ON the same day.
Aleen had worried about Hart, and
his remark about Clark had set her
to thinking. Could it be possible that
she did care for his money?
But an hour of conversation on the
train opened her eyes and it brought
relief. mo, it's not his money l like"
she decided, It's his mind. I'd no
idea he knew so much and could talk
of so many things"
So she banished dull care and set
tied herself to enjoy the rest of the
ride.
Clark was calling her attention to
a cloud effect around a mountain
peak, like fluffy white plumes around
a purple-cocked hat, when the door of
the stateroom at the end of car opened
and they heard a baby cry.
A quick frown of annoyance crossed
Clark's face. 81 wish they'd shut that
door" he said, as the wailing kept up
and showed no signs of diminishing.
Poor little thing!" Aleen couldn't
help saying. 1T sounds like just a
little bit of a thing. l imagine it's
hard travelling with babies! !"
And then appeared the tiny offender
In the arms of a very red and wild
looking man.
"Hart!" cried Aleen in sympathetic
surprise, while a smile of annoyed
amusement appeared on Clark's face.
Hart did not see them at first, but
started to pace the aisle with the fran
tic air of a person who, having done
all he can with the head, throws rea-
son to the winds and uses his feet in
stead.
"Of all fool things!" declared Clark.
Let him alone. Why doesn't he take
1t back and shut the door? Where's
its mother?"
Il think it's his sisters baby. It's
very new and / can't understand p
puzzled Aleen.
The cries were coming nearer. Aleen
sprang up and met the di~sturbers in
the aisle on their return trip.
"Give me the baby, Hart" she COM
manded.
mo, thank you. I'll not trouble you"
he said. Clark's disappearing, half
mocking face nettled him, and Ii stung
him to see them together.
She held out her arms. "But you
promised" she reminded him sweetly.
He thought an instant. "'There are
times a man needs a woman's help"
came back to him. He dumped the
crying bundle of pink and white into
her arms with relief.
Its sisters youngster. She's sick
and they're sending the baby to a spe-
cialist for something or other. Just
at train time his nurse had somebody
die and she couldn't come. There was
nobody but me to bring him, so /
jumped in and came; but l don't know
much about babies. lists awfully
good of YOU"
Aleen in the instant before she took
the baby had a comprehensive glimpse
of the two men. Hart-big, boyish,
awkward and tousled and smelling
strongly Of sour milk, but with it all
tenderness and pity in his face for
the little mite he held; Clark-im-
maculate, brilliant and his face set in
hard disappearing lines, petulant over
a spoiled day.
Il think I'll have a cigar, if you viii
excuse me-" begged the latter, as he
retreated to the smoker.
Aleen Don had the baby quiet and
asleep in her arms in the stateroom.
Hart looked in to see If he could be of
any help.
Eyes, come in," she said softly.
What is it?" he whispered.
Forget what / said the other day,
Hart, and"
"Yes-go on, Aleen, for heavens
isaker
Tell me what you did all over