American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-02-26

NaG A6hk "oo ot1tRkAft ~ y 80
the shadows. When that first doubt
was nodded and she had breathsd into
1t the breath of life so that 1t stood
sturdily before her she took heart and
created reasons, a whole company of
them, to tell her why she ought to give
Ward the benefit of the doubt. She
remembered what Charlie Fox had said
about circumstantial evidence. She
would not make the mistake he had
made.
So she spent other days and long,
wakeful nights. And since it seemed
impossible to bring her faith to life
again just as it had been, with the
glamor of romance and the sweetness
Of pity and the strength Of her in
nocence to make it a beautiful faith
indeed, she used all her innocence and
all her pity and a little of romano and
created something even sweeter than
her untried faith had been. She had a
new element to strengthen it. She
knew that she loved Ward. She had
learned that from the hurt it had given
her to lose her faith In him.
That was the record Of the inner
Billy Louise which no n ever saw.
The Billy Louise which her little world
knew went her way unchanged except
in small details that escaped the no.
tice of those nearest her. A look In
her eyes for one thing; a hurt, ques-
tioning look that was sometimes re-
bellious as well; a droop of her mouth
also when she was off her guard; a sad.
tired little droop hat told of the weight
Of responsibility and worry she was
carrying.
Ward observed both the minute he
saw her on the trail. He had come
across country on the chance that she
might be riding out that way, and he
had come upon her while
she and Blue were staring out Over the
desert from the height they had attain
ed In the hills.
"Lo, Bill he said when he was
meet whatever mood she might pre-
sent.
She turned her head quickly and
looked at him, and the hurt look was
still in her eyes; the droop still show.
ed at her lips. And Ward knew they
had been there before she saw him.
"Wha's molla, Bill?' he asked in the
tone that was calculated to invite an
unbUrdening of her troubles.
"Oh, nothing in particular! Nom
mics been awfully sick, and I'm al
ways worried when I'm away from the
ranch for fear she'll have another spell
while I'm gone. The doctor said she
might have any time. Were you head
ed for u place? If you are, come on
1 was just starting back. l don't dare
be away any longer" If that were {
real un%burdening Ward was an unrea
sonable young man. Billy Louise look
ed at him again, and this time he
eyes were clear and friendly.
Ward was not satisfied, for all thu
surface seemed smooth enough. HI
was too sensitive not to feel a differ
ence, and he was too innocent of an.
wrongdoing or thinking to guess wha
was the matter. Guilt is a good baron
eter of personal atmosphere, and Ware
had none of it. The worst of him sh'
, had known for more than a year. H
had told her himself, and she had heal
ed the hurt-almOst-of the past by he
firm belief in him and by her friend
ship. Could you expect Ward to CUES
: that she had seen her faith in him di
l a violent death no longer than tw'
weeks ago? Such a possibility neve
occurred to him.
For all that he felt there was a dill
ference somewhere. He carried bac
l. with him a fit of the blues which seen
d ed to have attacked him without eau
S or pretext. since he had not quarrele
with Billy Louise and had been warn
l. " welcomed by 'mOmmie." Poor MON
It ME was looking white and frail, an
her temples were too distinctly veine
with purple. Ward told himself that
l. was no wonder his Wilhemina acte
t strained and unnatural. He meant t
It work harder than ever and get h
it stake so that he could go and max
l. her give him the right to take care
her.
g He began to figure the cost of con
lie muting his homestead right away, S
y that he would not have to hold
n, down for another three years. Mayf
she would not want to bring her mot
lg err so far off the main road. In thu
b. case he would go down and put tn;
v Wolverine place in shape. He had 1
" squeamishness about living on he
lie ranch instead of his own if she wan
ne ed it that way. He meant to be be
ter "hooked up" financially than 81
ut was and have more cattle when he pl
ne the gold ring on her finger. Then /
lg would do whatever she wanted him
II do. and he would not have to crucii
er his pride doing it.
You see. they could not have qua
relied. since Ward carried castles
we'll as the blues. In fact, their pai
ing had given Ward an uneven pul
for a mile. for Billy Louise had gol
with him as usual as far as the corr
when he started home. And witt
Ward had picked IN his reins and tur