Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-01-08

h'~ S'Sai ~SN'
he wore gray hat and dark coat, and
he was slim and tall. Billy Louise
made sound that was close to groan
and set her teeth hard together after
ward.
She reached the hillside just above
the corral There were cattle down
there, moving uneasily about in the
shadows. OF the hOrseman there was,
of course, no sign-just the corral and
few restless cattle shut inside-and
On the hilltops a soft, rose violet glow
and in the sky beyond blend of pur-
pie and deep crimson to show where
the sun had been. Close beside her as
she stood looking down a little, gray
bird twittered wistfully.
Billy Louise took a deep breath and
rode on, angling slightly up the bluff
so that she could cross at the head of
the gulch. 1t was very quiet, very
peaceful and wildly beautiful, this jum-
BILE of hills and deep gashed canyons.
But Billy Louise felt as though some
thing precious had died. She should
have gone down and Investigated and
turned those cattle loose-that is, if
she dared Well, she dared; it was not
fear that held her to the upper slopes.
She did not want to know what brand
they bore or whether an iron had scar
ed fresh marks.
"Oh, Godw she said once aloud, and
there was a prayer and a protest, a
curse and question all in those two
words.
So trouble-trouble that sickened her
very soul and choked her into dumb
ness and squeezed her heart so that
the ache of it was agony-came and
rode with her through the brooding
dusk of the canyons and over the
brighter hilltops.
Billy Louise did not remember any
thing much about that ride except that
she was glad the way was long. Blue
carried her steadily on and on and
needed no guiding, and though Wolver-
inc canyon was black dark in most
places she liked it so.
John Pringle was standing by the
gate waiting for her, which was I'M
usual, if Billy Louise had been normal
enough to notice it. He came forward
and took Blue by the bride when she
dismounted, which was still more IN
usual, for Billy Louise always cared
for her own korse both from habit and
preference.
"Yor mommie, she's SICK" he an
or GEShosS
maybe hurt yoreself. 70 better 60,
maybe"
Billy Louise did not answer, but ran
up the path to the cabin. "Oh, has
everything got to happen all at once"
she cried aloud, protesting against the
implacableness of misfortune.
"Yor NOMINEES SICK" Phoebe an
nounced in a whisper. ''She's crazy
cause you been so long. She's awful
bad, l guess"
Billy Louise said nothing, but went
in where her m her lay moaning. her
face white and turned to the ceiling.
Billy Louise herself had pulled up her
reserves of strength and cheerlulness,
and the fingers she laid on her mothers
forehead were cool and steady.
Poor old mommie! Is it that nasty
lumbago again?' she asked caressingly
anxiety to spoil the reinsurance Of her
presence. II went farther than usual
and Blues pretty tender, so eascd him
along, and I'm fearfully late. L sup
pose you've been having all kinds of
disasters happening to me-" She was
passing her fingers soothingly over her
mothers forehead while she explained
and she saw that her mother did not
moan so much as when she came into
the room.
"Of course / worried. / wish you
wouldn't take them long rides. Oh, /
guess it's lumbago-mostly-but seems
like it amt, either. The pain seems to
be mostly in my side" She stirred
restlessly and moaned again.
What's Phoebe been doing for it?
You don't seem to have any fever,
mommie-and that's a good thing. III
go fix you one of those dandy spice
poultices. Had any supper, mommie?"
"Oh, 1 couldn't eat. Phoebe made a
hop poultice, but it's awful soppy."
''Well, never mind. Your dear daugh-
ter is on the job now. She'll have you
all comfy in Just about two minutes.
Headache. mum? All right, I'll just
shake up your pilly and bring you such
a dandy spice poultice 1 expect you'll
want to eat it," Billy Louise's voice
was soft and had broody sweetness
when she wished it so, that soothed
more than medicine. Her mothers eyes
closed YEARLY while the girl talked;