American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-01-29

often and often, however, Ward War
rem was a fugitive who came to her
for help. Then she would take him to
a cave and hide him, perhaps, or she
would mount her horse and lead him
by devious ways TO safety, and upon
some hilltop from which she coyld
point but the route he must follow she
would bid him a touching adieu and
beseech him In the impossible a n
guage OF some old romancer to 20 and
lead a blameless life.
Ease has got all gone feelings now.
mommle," Billy Louise remarked irrel-
eyantly during a brief pause and re-
lapsed into silence again. She knew
that was good for at least FIVE minutes
OF straight m%onologue with her mother
In that talking mood. She finished her
supper while Warren listened abstract
edly 70 a complete biography OF the
Meilkes and earned all about Marthy's
energy and Jase's shiftlessness.
Ward warrenP' Billy Louise was
saying TO herself. Ward Warreni
There couldn't possibly be two Ward
Warrens; it's such an odd name.
wenf"
Then she went mentally over that
paragraph. She wished she did not
remember every single word Of 1t, but
she did. And she was afraid to look
al him after that, and she wanted to
dreadfully. She felt as though he be-
longed 10 her. Why, he was her old
playmatei And she had saved his life
hundreds OF times at immense risk to
hers. and he had always been her de,
voted slave afterward and never failed
to appear at the precise moment when
she was beset by Indians or robbers
or something and in dire need. Tho
blood he had shed In her behalf At
that point Billy Louise startled her
self and the others by suddenly laugh
ing out loud at the memory OF one
time when Ward Warren had killed
enough Indians TO al a deep washout
30 that he might carry her across to
the other sidei
rs there anything funny about Jase
Meilke dying. Billy LouiseT' her moth
or asked her In a perfectly shocked
tone.
mo, was thinking OF something
else" She glanced at the man eying
her 80 dlstrustfully from across the ia
bic and gurgled again. II 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 II became. she ended by leav-
ing the table and retiring precipltately
to her own tiny room In the lean-to
where she buried her face as deep as
II would go In a pury pillow OF wild
duck feathers.
He, poor devil, could not be expected
70 know Just what had amused her
so. He did know that Il 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 abb
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.
II wish we could get him TO stay
all winter instead OF that Peter Howl
ing Dog" Mrs. Macdonald said anx-
lously after he had gone out. II Just
know Peters OF drinking. don't
think he's a safe man to have around,
Billy Louise. | didn't when you hired
him. | 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 II we had
him instead Of that breed. Only we
amt sven 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 20 him yourself. You're the
one that wants him" Billy Louise an
swered somewhat sharply. She adored
her mother. but II she had to run the
ranch she did wish her mother would
not interfere and give advice just at
the wrong time.
We'll. you needn't be cross about II.
You know yourself that Peter cant be
depended on a minute. There he went
on yesterday aud never fed the pigs
their noon slop. and | had 20 carry II
ont myself. And my lumbago has
bothered me ever since. just like Il
was going TO give me another spell.
You can't be here all the time. Billy
Louise leastways you amt II and
Peter
"Oh, good gracious. mommle | told
you 10 hire the man II you want him.
Only Ward Warren Isn't
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