The Monticellonian., 1918-03-01

No. l was thinking of something else. She glanced at the man eying her so distrustfully from across the ta- ble and gurgled again. It 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 it became. She ended by leav- ing the table and retiring preeipitately to her own tiny room in the lean-to where she buried her face as deep as It would go in puffy pillow of wild duck feathers.
 He, poor devil could not be expected to know just what had amused her so. He did know that 1t 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 ab- sorbed in book
 The next morning the blizzard ragged so that Warren stayed as matter of course. Peter Rowling Dog had not returned, so Warren did the chores and would not let Billy Louise help with anything.
 "l wish we could get him to stay all winter instead of that Peter Howl ing Dog Mrs. Macdonald said anx- iously after he had gone out. T just know Peters off drinking. I don't think he's a safe man to have around, Billy Louise. I didn't when you hired him. I haven't felt easy a minute with him on the place. 1 wish you'd hire Mir. Warren, Billy Louise He's nice and quiet
 And he's got a ranch of his own He doesn't strike me as man who wants a job milking two cows and carrying slop to the pigs. mommie.''
 Well, I'd feel lot easier if we had him instead of that breed Only we ain't even 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 Mir Warren. Billy Louise"
 Speak to him yourself. You're the one that wants him. Billy Louise an- swered somewhat sharply. She adored her mother. but if she had to run the ranch she did wish her mother would not interfere and give advice just at the wrong time.
 Well, you needn't be cross about it. You know yourself that Peter can't be depended on minute There he went off yesterday and never fed the pigs their noon slop, and had to carry it out myself. And my lumbago has bothered me ever since just like it was going to give me another spell. You can't be here all the time, Billy Louise - leastways you aint - and Peter
 "Oh, good gracious, mommie, told you to hire the man if you want him. Only Ward Warren isn't"-
 Ward Warren pushed open the door and looked from one to the other, his eyes two question marks. Isn't what?" he asked and shut the door behind him with the air of one who is ready for anything.
 Isn't the kind of man who wants to hire out to do chores" Billy Louise finished and looked at him straight. Are you? Mommie wants to hire you"
 '.Oh, well. was just about to ask for the job, anyway" He laughed, and the distrust left his eyes AS a matter of fact, I was going over to Jim Larson's to hang out for the rest of the winter and get away from the lonesomeness of the hills The old Turks a pretty good friend of mine But 1t looks to me as if you two need ed something around that looks like a man a heap more than Jim does I know Peter Rowling Dog to fare you-well You'll be all to the good if he forgets to come back. So if you'll stake me to meal now and then and place to sleep I'll be glad to see you through the winter or until you get some white man to take my place." He took up the two water pails and waited. glancing from one to the other with that repressed smile which Billy Louise was beginning to look for in his face.
 Now that matters had approached the point of decision her mother stood looking at her helplessly, waiting for her to speak. Billy Louise drew her self up primly and ended by contra dieting the action. She gave him a sidelong glance which he was least prepared to withstand, though, in jus- tice to Billy Louise. she was absolute ly unconscious of its general effective ness and twisted her lips whimsically
 Well stake you to book, ban nook and bed if you want to stay, Mir Warren" she said quite soberly; also to pitehfork and an ax, if you like, and regular wages
 His eyes went to her and steadied there with the intent expression in them. Thanks. Cut out the wages and I'll take the offer just as 1t stands" he told her and pulled his hat farther down on his head. She's go- ing to be one stormy night, lay-dees," he added in quite another tone on his way to the door. Five o'clock by the town clock, and al-lrs wellp' This last in still another tone as he pushed out against the sweeping wind and pulled the door shut with a slam.