American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-04-12
"Has-Anybody Been Here LateIy7"


upon this very crisis in her life. But
whenever she had tried to think what
it would be like she had always pic
tured Ward beside her, shielding her
from dreary details and tightening her
burden with his whimsical gentleness.
She had felt sure that Ward would
ride down every week for news Of her,
and she had expected to find him there
Billy Louise should come or send for
waiting for her after that last letter.
Whatever could be the matter? Had
be left the country?
Billy LOuise's faith had compromised
definitely with her doubts OF him.
Guilty or innocent, she would be his
friend always. That was the condition
her faith had laiA down challengingly
before her doubts. But unless he were
innocent and proved it to her she
would never marry him, no matter
how much she loved him. That was
the concession her faith had made to
her doubts.
Billy Louise had a wise little brain
for all she idealized life and her sur.
%roundings out Of all proportion to real
ity. She told herself that If she mar
ried Ward with her doubts alive her
misery would be far greater titan if
she gave him up, except as a friend
OF course her ideals stepped in there
with an impracticable compromise.
She brought back the Ward Warren of
her pretend life. She dreamed Of
him as a mutely adoring friend who
stood and worshiped her from afar
and because of his sins could not cross
the line Of friendship.
If he were a rustler she would shield
him and save him, if that were posi-
bic. He would love her always-BiIly
Louise could not conceive of Ward
transferring his affections TO another
less exacting woman-and he would
be grateful for her friendship. She
could build long. lovely cen where
friendliness was put to the front brave
". while love hid behind the mask and
only peeped out through the eyes now
and then. She did not, of course, plan
all this in sober reason; she just
dreamed it with her eyes open.
Some one anne upon the doorstep
and stood there for a moment. stamp
ing snow of his feet. Billy Louise
caught her breath and waited. her eyes
yelled with her lashes and shining ex.
%pectantly. A little color came into hef
cheeks. Ward had been delayed some
how, but he was coming now because
she needed him and he wanted her
1t was only John Pringle. heavy bod.
led. heavy minded. who came in and
squeaked the door shut behind him
Billy Louise gave him a glance and
dropped her head back on the red
cushion. Hello, john she greeted
.tonelessly.
John grinned, embarrassed between
his pleasure at seeing Billy Louise and
his pity for her trouble. His white
teeth showed a little under his scraggy.
breath-frosted mustache.
Hello. You got back. hey? She's
purity cold again. Seems like it's goin.
storm some more" He pulled of his
mittens and tugged at the ice dangling
at the corners of his lips. You come
on stage. hey? l bet you freeze" He
went over and stood with his back &c
the fire. his leathery brown hands
clasped behind him. his face still IN.
decided as to the most suitable emotion
TO reveal. We'll, how you ike town
hey? No good. l guess. You got plen.
ty trouble now. Phoebe and me. we
stick by you long as you want US to-"
II know you will. John" Billy
Louise bit her lips against a sudden
impulse TO tears. 1t was not Ward
but the crude sympathy of this old
halfbreed was more to her than al
the expensive flowers that had beer
stacked upon mOmmie's coffin.
She picked up the two letters sh'
had written Ward, brushed OF the dus
snd eyed them hesitatingly. Ii Ger
tainly was queer that Ward had no
ridden down for some word from her
She hesitated. then threw the thin LEI
ter into the fire. Its message was n
longer Of urgent poignant need Bill,
Louise drew a long breath when tn
grief laden lines crumbled quickly an
went flying up the wide throat OF IN
chimney. The other letter she pinche'
between ner thumbs and fingers. Sh
smiled a little to herself. Ward woul
like TO get that. She had a swift yisiol
OF him standing over there by the win
dow and reading il with those swift
shutting g~lances. She remembers,
how she had begun it-'Brave Bucks
roo"-and her cheeks turned pink. II
should have il when he came. Some
: thing had kept him away. He woul