The Dolores star., 1918-04-05

1 'buse me. And f." Her lips twitchet
a little. II think you can qualify"
They came to the gate. and Billy
Louise freed her hand from his CLASP
and dismounted, since IL was q wire
gate and could NOT be opened on horse.
back. She closed II after him, looked
to her cinch, dghtened II q 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. -a-t
"Tn sooth, know not why you are
80 sa-ad,'" murmured Billy Louise.
when she swung alongside in the trail
Ward caught her hand again and did
not let 60; so they rode hand in hand
down the narrow valley.
II was wondering" he hesitated,
drawing in corner Of his lip, biting
1t, and letting 1t go. "Wilhemina. If
old Lady Fortune takes a notion to
give me another kick or two. Just when
life looks so good to me"
"Why, we'll kick back just as hard
as she dses," threatened Billy Louise
courageously. Don't let happiness get
on your nerves. Ward"
IF wasn't crippled, 1t wouldn't.
But when a mans down and out, he
thinks q lot. The last three days, I've
lived a whole lifetime, lady-girl. Every
thing seems to be coming my way. all
at once. And I'm afraid; what II !
can't make goodf If I can't make you
happy"-he squeezed her fingers so
that Billy Louise had to grit her teeth
to keep from interrupting him-"or II
anything should happen to you-Lord! !"
been shut up there alone SO long you
see things all distorted. We're going
to be happy, because Wen 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-gGt so old
just in the last few days. I never
knew a person could change SO much
in such little while. She's Just let 60
all holds and kind Of sagged down,
mentally and physically. Wen have to
take care of her, Ward, as long as she
lives. That's why I'm taking you there
80 we can look after her. She won't
leave the Cove. IL was hoping" she
added shyly, shat we could sit in
front Of our own fireplace, Ward. and
nave nice coy evenings; but--well,
there always seems to be something
for me to do for somebody, Ward"
ooh, you Wilhemina u 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
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 q walk and q
man and a maid can say a good deal
ut such a time. But don't think they
would like to have it all repeated
Their thoughts ranged far back over
the past and far into the future, and
chung close to the miracle Of love that
had brought them together. There IL
one thing which Billy Louise, even In
her most self-revealing mood, did moi
tell Ward, and that is her doubts Of
him. Never once did he dream that
she had suspected him and wrung hel
heart because Of her suspicions-ant
in that think she was wise and kind.
They found Seabeck and Floyd Car