Meade County news., 1918-04-18

| 'buse me. And L" Her lips twitched
q little. Il think you can qualify"
They came to the gate, and Billy
Louise freed her hand from his clasp
and dismounted, since it was a wire
gate and could not be opened on horse
back. She closed 1t after him, looked
to her cinch, frightened 1t little, pat
ted Rather on the neck, caught the
horn with one hand and the stirrup
with the other, and went UP quite like
man, while Ward watched her in
tently.
In sooth, know not why you are
so sa-ad,'" murmured Billy Louise,
when she swung alongside in the trail.
Ward caught her hand again and did
not let go; so they rode hand in hand
down the narrow valley.
Il was wondering" he hesitated,
drawing in corner Of his lip, biting
it, and letting it 60. "Wilhemina, If
old Lady Fortune takes a notion to
give me another kick or two, just when
life looks so good to me-"
"Why, Wen kick back just as hard
as she dOes," threatened Billy Louise
couraseously. "Don't let happiness get
on your nerves, Ward"
"If wasn't crippled, 1t wouldn't.
But when q mans down and out, he
thinks lot. The last three days, I've
lived whole lifetime, lady-girl. Every
thing seems to be coming my way, all
at once. And I'm afraid; what If I
can't make good? If can't make you
happy"-he squeezed her fingers so
that Billy Louise had to grit her teeth
to keep from interrupting him-"Or If
anything should happen to you-Lordw
you've got nerves, buckaroo. You've
been shut up there alone so long you
see things all distorted. We're going
to be happy, because we'll be together,
and we've so much to do and so much
to think of. You must realize, Ward,
that we've got three places to take care
of, and you and me and poor old Mar
thy. She hasn't anybody, Ward, but
us. And she's changed sO-got so old
just in the last few days. never
knew person could change so much
in such little while. She's just let go
all holds and kind of sagged down,
mentally and physically. Well have to
take care of her, Ward, as long as she
lives. That's why I'm taking you there
so we can look after her. She won't
leave the Cove. II was hoping" she
added shyly, shat we could sit in
front Of our own fireplace, Ward, and
nave nice cozy evenings; but-well,
there always seems to be something
for me to do for somebody, Ward"
"Oh, you Wilhemina r. Ward slipped
his arm around her, to the disgust Of
Rather and Blue, and made shift to
kiss her twice. 'Long as you live,
you'll always be doing something for
somebody; that's the way you're made.
And nobody's been doing things for
you; but If the Lord lets me live, that's
going to be my Job from now on"
He said a great deal more, Of
course. They had nearly fifteen miles
to go, and they rode at walk; and
man and a maid can say a good deal
at such time. But don't think they
would like to have 1t all repeated.
Their thoughts ranged far back over
the past and far into the future, and
clung close to the miracle of love that
had brought them together. There is
one thing which Billy Louise, even in
her most self-revealing mood, did not
tell Ward, and that is her doubts of
him. Never once did he dream that
she had suspected him and wrung her
heart because Of her susplclons-and
in that think she was wise and kind.
They found Seabeck and Floyd Car