Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1918-04-05

the corrai7"
She worries about every little thing
since daddy died. ought to have gone
befOre-Or I 0Nghtn't to have come.
But she was worrying about you, Mar
thy. She hadn't seen or heard of you
for a month, and she was afraid you
might be sick or something. Why
don't you get some one to stay with
you? I 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 amt gOin' to git sick" Mar
thy retOrted glumly. "Yuh don't want
to let him worry yuh, Billy Louise. II
Id worried every time he yowled
around about being sick I'd be dead or
crazy by now. | 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 Il got
nephew that wants TO come out He's
been In bank, but he's quit and wants
to git on to a ranch. | dunno but I'll
have him come in the spring"
DO" urged Billy Louise. perfectly
unconscious of the personalities Of the
future. Il hate to think Of you two
down here alone. l 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 amt going to come for our com
p'ny. and there amt nothing else to
bring EN-"
We'll. there aren't nav to come,
you know" laughed Billy Louise, shak.
ing out the dish towel and spreading
1t 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?" 1t was like Billy Louise to
mix command and entreaty together.
Really, I don't think Jase looks a bit
WELL"
"A good strong steepin' Of sage II
dx him all right, only he amt 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 rooted cabin, with
Marthy standing rather disconsolately
on the rough doorstep watching her go.
Blue was climbing steadily out OF
the gorge. twitching an ear back ward
with nattering attention whenever his
lady spoke. The horse went ON, calm
ly stepping over this rock and around
that as II it were the simplest thing In
the world to nnd 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 dreamfngs and pointed nose
and ears toward the little creek bot
tom above. where Marthy had lighted
her campfire long and long ago.
A few steps farther and Blue stop
ped short In the trail to look and lis
ten Billy Louise could see the uerv-
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
q minute. III it's a bear or anything
Ike that you can make q run for 1t:
il it's 4 wolf Ill shoot 1t. You needn't
stand here all night. anyway"
Blue went on, out from behind the
willow growth that hid the open. He
returned to bis calm. picking a smooth
trail through the scattered rocks aud
tiny washouts. 1t was the girls turn
to stare and speculate. She did not
know this hOrseman who sat negligent.
" In the ssddle and looked I'D At tn