Meade County news., 1918-01-31

love sometimes that she would have
accepted the gift even IL she had known
what 1t cost the giver.
At eighteen, then, Billy Louise knew
some things not taught by the wide
plains and the wild hills around her.
She was not spoiled by her little learn
ing, which was a good thing. And
when her father died tragically be-
meath an overturned load of poles from
the mountain at the head of the can
yon Billy Louise came home. The Billy
of her tried to take his place and the
Louise Of her attempted to take care
of her mother, who was untitled both
by nature and habit to take care of her
self. Which was, after all, rather
big thing for any one to attempt.
Jase began to complain Of having
"all gone" feelings during the winter
after Billy Louise came home and took
up the whole burden Of the Wolverine
ranch. He complained to Billy Louise
when she rode over one clear, sunny
day in January. He said that he was
getting old, which was perfectly true,
and that he was not as ablebodied as
he might be and didn't expect to last
much longer, Billy Louise spoke of it
to Marthy, and N:Srthy snorted.
"He's ablebodied enough at meal
times, l notice." she retorted. "Tve
heard that tune ever since l knowed
him. He can't fool mep'
Jase maundered in at that moment,
and Marthy turned and glared ut Jase
with what Billy Louise considered a
perfectly uncalled for animosity. In
reality, Marthy was covertly looking
for visible symptoms of the all-gone-
ness. She shut her harsh lips together
tightly at what she saw. Jase certain.
ly was puffy under his watery, pink
trimmed eyes, and the withered cheeks
above his thin graying beard really did
have pasty gray look.
"D'you turn them calves out into the
corral?" she demanded, her voice hard
er because of her secret uneasiness.
IL was goin' to, but the winds
changed into the north, n l thought
mebby you wouldn't want 'em out
Jase turned back aimlessly to the door
His voice was getting cracked anC
husky, and the deprecating note dom
mated pathetically all that he said
you'll have to face the wind goin
home" he said to Billy Louise. "More'r
likely you'll be facin' snow too. Look
bad of that way"
"You go on and turn them calve.
outw Marthy commanded him harshly
BILLY Louise amt goin' home If 4
storms. 1 sh'd think you'd know
enough to know that"
"Oh, but I'll have to go anyway,
the girl interrupted. "Mommie can
be there alone; she'd worry herself t.
death If didn't show up by dark
She worries about every little thing
since daddy died. ought to have gon,
before-or l oughtn't to have come
But she was worrying about you, Mar
thy. She hadn't seen or heard of yol
for a month, and she was afraid yol
might be sick or something. WHY
don't you get some one to stay will
you? think you ought to-" She look
ed toward the door, which Jase hat
closed upon his departure. IF JAS
should-get sick or anything
"Jase amt goin' to git SICK" Mar
thy retOrted glumly. "Yuh don't wan
to let him worry yuh, Billy Louise. 1
I'd worried every time he yowleC
around about being sick I'd be dead O
crazy by now. dunno but maybe
I'll have somebody to help with til,
work, though" she added after pause
during which she had swiped the dish
rag around tile sides Of the pan ono
or twice and had opened the door ant
thrown the water out beyond the door
step like the sloven she was. 81 got
nephew that wants TO come out. He
been In a bank, but he's quit and want
to git on to a ranch. / dunno but II
have him come in the spring"
DO urged Billy Louise, perfect
unconscious of the pOtentialities Of til
future II hate to think of you tw
down here alone. / don't suppose an
one ever comes down here except me
and that isn't often"
"Nobody's got any call to com
down." said Marthy stolidly. "rhe
sure amt going to come for our con
p'ny, and there amt nothing else I
bring 'em."
"Well, there aren't many to come
you know" laughed Billy Louise, shall
ing out the dish towel and spreadin
it over two nails, as she did at home
I'm your nearest neighbor, and I'v
got six miles to ride-against the win
at that. / think I'd better start. We'v
got half breed doing chores for u!
but he has to be looked after or b
neglects things. I'll not get anothe
chance to come very soon, I'm afrait
Mommie hates to have me ride aroun
much in the winter. You send for tha
! nephew right away, why don't yol
t Marthy| 1t was like Billy Louise I
mix command and entreaty togethe
: Really, don't think Jase looks b
we'll"
"a good strong steepin' of sage
/ fix him all right, only he amt sick, L
! / see. You take this shawl"
Billy Louise refused the shawl an
3 ran down the twisted path fringe
. with long. reaching fingers Of the bal