Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-05-31


he wore gray hat and dark coat, and
he was slim and tall. Billy Louise
made sound that was close to a 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
a few restless cattle shut inside-and
on the hilltopS a soft, rose violet glow
and in the sky beyond a 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, Godv' she said once aloud, and
curse and a 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 un-
usual, if Billy Louise had been normal
!
and took Blue by the bride when she
dismounted, which was still more un-
usual, for Billy Louise always cared
for her own horse both from habit and
preference.
"Yor mommie, she's sick" he an.
nounced stolidly. "She's worry you
maybe hurt yoreself. Yo better go
maybe"
Billy Louise did not answer, but rar
up the path to the cabin. ooh, has
everything got to happen all at once?
she cried aloud, protesting against the
implacableness of misfortune.
"Yor mommie's SICK" Phoebe an
nounced in a whisper. "She's crazy
cause you been so long. She's awfu
} bad, guess"
Billy Louise said nothing, but wen
in where her mcther lay moaning, he
face white and turned to the ceiling
Billy Louise herself had pulled up he
reserves of strength and cheerlulness
, and the fingers she laid on her mother
: forehead were cool and steady.
Poor old mommie! Is it that mast,
/ lumbago again?' she asked caressingl
! and did not permit the tiniest shade O
, anxiety to spoil the reinsurance of he
t presence. Il went farther than usua
: and Blues pretty tender, so eased hi1
: along, and I'm fearfully late. l SUI
l pose you've been having all kinds Q
S disasters happening to me-" She wa
f passing her fingers soothingly over he
e mothers forehead while she explaine
r and she saw that her mother did nc
moan so much as when she came int
e the room.
/ "Of course 1 worried. I wish 20
t ouldn't take them long rides. Oh,
/. guess it's umbago-mostly- seem
Y like it amt, either. The pain seems
y be mostly in my side" She stirre
l. restlessly and moaned again.
It whats Phoebe been doing for ii
IS You don't seem to have any feve
u mommie-and that's a good thing. L
e go fix you one of those dandy sptC
e poultices. Had any supper, mommiei
/, 'Oh, 1 couldn't eat. Phoebe made
l. hop poultice, but it's awful soppy."
e "Well, never mind. Your dear daugl
It ter is on the job now. She'll have yC
n all comfy in just about two minute
'e Ieadache, mum? All right, I'll jul
y hake up your pilly and bring you sue
1t dandy spice poultice 1 expect you
ant to eat it!' Billy Louise's voi'
s. as soft and had a broody sweetne
lie vhen she wished it SO, that soothe
1T more than medicine. Her mothers ey,
ID closed wearily while the girl talke