The Monticellonian., 1918-02-22

anu hdTtuy IuEueu anu SldFeU at JaSe with what Billy Louise considered a perfectly uncalled for animosity. In reality, Marthy was eovertly 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 corralf' she demanded, her voice hard CT because of her secret uneasiness.
 ''I was goin' to, but the winds changed into the north, n I thought mebby you wouldn't want 'em out" Jase turned back aimlessly to the door, His voice was getting cracked and 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'n likely you'll be facin' snow too Looks bad off that way"
 You go on and turn them calves out" Marthy commanded him harshly. Billy Louise ain't goin' home if it storms. 1 shd think you'd know enough to know that"
 "Oh, but I'll have to go anyway" the girl interrupted "Mommie can't be there alone; shed worry herself to death if 1 didn't show up by dark She worries about every little thing since daddy died. I ought to have gone before-or 1 oughtn't to have come But she was worrying about you, Mar thy. She hadn't seen or heard of you for month, and she was afraid you might be sick or something. Why don't you get some one to stay with you? think you ought to- She look ed toward the door, which Jase had closed upon his departure. If Jase should-get sick or anything
 "Jase ain't goin' to git sick Mar thy retorted glumly. "Yuh don't want to let him worry yuh, Billy Louise If I'd worried every time he yowled around about being sick I'd be dead or crazy by now. 1 dunno but maybe I'll have somebody to help with the work, though" she added after pause during which she had swiped the dish rag around the sides of the pan once or twice and had opened the door and thrown the water out beyond the door, step like the sloven she was T got d nephew that wants to come out He's been ill bank, but he's quit and wants to git on to ranch 1 dunno but I'll have him come in the spring."
 Do" urged Billy Louise, perfectly unconscious of the potentialities of the future. Il hate to think of you two down here alone. I don't suppose any one ever comes down here except me and that isn't often"
 "Nobodys got any call to come down. said Marthy stolidly ''They sure ain't going to come for our com. pny. and there ain't nothing else to bring 'em"
 Well. there aren't many to come. you know" laughed Billy Louise. shak- ing out the dish towel and spreading it over two nails, as she did at home I'm your nearest neighbor. and I've got six miles to ride-against the wind at that l think I'd better start. We've got half breed doing chores for Us. but he has to be looked after or he neglects things. I'll not get another chance to come very soon, I'm afraid Mommie hates to have me ride around much in the winter. You send for that nephew right away, why don't you. Marthy?" It was like Billy Louise to mix command and entreaty together. Really, 1 don't think Jase looks a bit we'll"
 "A good strong steepin of sage II fix him all right, only he ain't sick, as l see. You take this shawl"
 Billy Louise refused the shawl and ran down the twisted path fringed with long. reaching fingers of the bare berry bushes. At the stable she stop ped for an aimless dialogue with Jase and then rode away, past the orchard whose leafiess branches gave glimpses of the low, sod roofed cabin. with Marthy standing rather disconsolateIy on the rough doorstep watching her go
 Blue was climbing steadily out of the gorge, twitching an ear backward with flattering attention whenever his lady spoke. The horse went on. calm ly stepping over this rock and around that as if it were the simplest thing in the world to find sure footing and car ry his lady smoothly up that trail. He threw up his head so suddenly that Billy Louise was startled out of her aimless dreamings and pointed nose and ears toward the little creek bot tom above, where Marthy had lighted her campfire long and long ago.
 X few steps farther and Blue ston- ped short in the trail to look and lis ten Billy Louise could see the nery- GUS twitchings of his muscles under the skin of neck and shoulders. and she smiled to herself. Nothing could ever come upon her unaware when she rode alone so long as she rode Blue. A hunting dog was not more keenly alive to his surroundings.
 GO on, Blue she commanded after minute. If it's bear or anything like that you can make run for it: if it's wolf III shoot it. You needn't stand here all night. anyway.
 Blue went on. out from behind the willow growth that hid the open He returned to his calm. picking q smooth trail through the scattered rocks and tiny washouts. It was the girls turn to stare and speculate. She did not know this horseman who sat negligent. ly in the saddle and looked gp at the cedar grown bluff beyond while his