The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-12-07

mo. was thinking OF something
else" She glanced at the man eying
her so distrustfully from across the Ia
bic and gurgled again. 1t was terribly
silly, but she simply could not help
seeing Ward Warren calmly filling that
washout with dead Indians so that he
might carry her across it in his arms.
The more she tried to forget that the
funnier 1t became. she ended by leav-
ing the table and retiring precipitately
to her own tiny room in the lean-to
where she buried her face as deep as
1t would 90 in a puffy pillow Of wild
duck feathers.
He, poor devil, could not be expected
to know just what had amused her
so. He did know that it somehow con-
cerned himself, however. He took up
his position mentally behind the wall
of alOOfness which stood between him
self and an unfriendly world, and when
Billy Louise came out later to help
with the dishes he was sitting alb
sorbed in a book.
The next morning the blizzard ragged,
so that Warren stayed as a matter of
course. Peter Howling Dog had not
returned, so Warren did the chores
and would not let Billy Louise help
with anything.
Il wish we could get him to stay
all winter instead of that Peter Howl
ing Dog" Mrs. Macdonald said anx-
iously after he had gone out. 81 just
know Peters of drinking. l don't
think he's safe man to have around,
Billy Louise. | didn't when you hired
him. l haven't felt easy a minute
with him on the place. / wish you'd
hire Mr.. Warren, Billy Louise. He's
nice and quiet
'And he's got a ranch Of his own.
He doesn't strike me as a man who
wants a job milking two cows and
carrying slop to the pigs, mommie."
well, I'd feel a lot easier if we had
him instead of that breed Only we
amt even got the breed half the time.
This is the third time he's disappeared
in the two months we've had him.
really think you ought to speak to Mr..
Warren, Billy Louise"
Speak to him yourself. You're the
one that wants him." Billy Louise an
swered somewhat sharply. She adored
her mother, but if she had to run the
ranch she did wish her mother would
not interfere and give advice just at
the wrong time.
well, you needn't be cross about it.
You know yourself that Peter can't be
depended on a minute There he went
off yesterday and never fed the pigs
their noon slOp, and | had to carry it
out myself. And my lumbago has
bothered me ever since, just like it
was going to give me another spell.
You can't be here all the time, Billy
Louise - leastways you amt - and
Peter
"Oh, good gracious, mommie told
you to hire the man if you want him.
Only Ward Warren isn't
Ward Warren pushed open the door
and looked from one to the other, his
eyes two question marks. isn't |
what?" he asked and shut the door
behind him with the air Of one who is
ready for anything.
Isn't the kind of man who wants to
hire out to do chores" Billy Louise
finished and looked at him straight. |
Are you? Mommie wants to hire
you"
"Oh. well, l was just about to ask
'or the job, anyway" He laughed,
md the distrust left his eyes. "As a
natter of fact, was going over to
lin Larson's to hang out for the rest
If the winter and get away from the
of the hills. The old
Turks a pretty good friend of mine
But it looks to me as if you two need
d something around that looks like a
man a heap more than Jim does. |
now Peter Howling Dog to a fare
You'll be all to the good if
lie forgets 30 come back. So If you'll
take me to a meal now and then and
place to sleep I'll be glad to see you
through the winter or until you get
ONE white man to take my place."
lie took up the two water pals and
waited, glancing from one to the other
With that repressed smile which Billy
4oulse was beginning to look for in
is face.
Now that matters had approached
he point of decision her mother stood
ooking at her helplessly, waiting for
Ao Il |
elf up primly and ended by contra
letting the action. She gave him a
idelong glance which he was least
repaired to Withstand, though, in JUS
ice to Billy Louise, she was absolute
: unconscious Of its general effective
ess and twisted her lips whimsically. :
"We'll stake you to book, a ban
ock and bed if you want to stay,
Ir. Warren" she said quite soberly; I
also to a pitchfork and an ak, if you 6
ke and regular wages"
His eyes went to her and steadied I
lere with the intent expression in
lem. Thanks. Cut out the wages J
nd I'll take the offer just as it {
ands," he told her and pulled his hat c
Lrther down on his head. "She's 60 I
& to be one stormy night, lay-dees," s
: added in quite another tone on his
ay to the door. Five o'clock by the l
'wn clock, and al-ll's wellw This
st in still another tone as he pushed t
1T against the swooping wind and L
llled the door shut with a slam. t