The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1919-06-12

NiAPpiiS LIZ OWu laCC Iuuuy WILL re-
cent washing, and his curls still damp
and dark above his forehead; while
the strong hands that held the would
be cups were clean as water could
makethem.
Would you like to wash your face?"
he asked as he held out the cup for
her to drink. Never mind the ber7
ries, they are all right as they are.
I'll show you the water and then come
back to guard the food. We don't.
know what wild creature may find our
table and clear out with the whole
%set-out." a,
ooh. would they do that?" laughed
Jean. interested. Wouldn't that be.
funny?"
ut might not be so funny if we don't
strike a ranch pretty soon," said Holt,
looking serious. "We need all that
breakfast to help us on our way after
the night we've spent" +,
II will not wash my face until after
breakfast" said Jean decidedly. com
ing back to the rock and seating her
self by one Of the leaf-plates.a "Sit
down, please, and break your fast, Tor
we are not running any risks On this
trip. I want to get to a telegraph Of
flee and send word to my mother and
father. They will hear about the acct
dent and will be terribly frightened
about mo. You won't mind my eating
with unwashed hands, will you?"
II should worry!" declared Holt,
\ atcyr L;01~~1p 49, L ~ ~ ~
rock with the ease Of one who is as
much at home on the ground as on a
chair.
These crackers are a little limp
said Jean, "but it was the best I
could do considering that they were
submerged for a long time"
They're great" said Holt, sam
ping one, but how did you happen to
have them?"
She told him merrily OF her visit the
day before and how she had saved
them.
They're all you have:" said Holt
suddenly; you may need the rest of
them before we are through. Put
these away and keep them till you
hSSe iSku 1 ~ AguoS Gov Lu6 OClI1CS.
I'm used to- going without for a long
time"
Wasn't your life the only one you
had when you riskel Il to save me?"
asked Jean, looking at him earnestly.
Il guess you'll eat half OF all there is
or | won't have any"
Holt looked at her adlniringly.
That's all right, but I'd rather you
saved them. You're q woman"
THAT may be all right, but I won't"
said Jean decidedly, "and l won't eat
another bite until you eat yours"
He looked at her with the glow OF
appreciation growing in his eyes. He
never had cen a girl like this.
You're all white!" he said at last.
You're the real thing. You're a good
fellow. guess we're partners, then"
He held out his hand as he would
have done to q man. and the girl. with
q quick appreciation Of his words, laid
her small berry-stained hand in the
big. hard one.
Thank you" she said earnestly;
{" that rather puts us on an equality,
doesn't it,. But I'm no so foolish as
to think We really are. l know it's
only q very little bit that I can do on
this expedition. You do all the big,
grand. hard things. But you mustn't
deny me the chance to do the little
things ! q do; and sharing, or even
going without sometimes, belongs to
my part. ! haven't forgotten yet that
you saved my life"
He looked at the little hand Wonder
ingly and held 1t gently in his own,
with Just q slight. lingering, wistful
closing Of his strong fingers around it;
then Aet It go as though he were
afraid he might crush It, II seemed to
himssO fTail and exquisite and fine.
II can tell you n thing he said,
you're some improvement on the last
partner i had" Jean gave him q
swift, relieved look. THAT horfids old
mar? E she asked. comprehcndAsgly.
He nodded. but searched her face
keenly, is II he would make sure Of
something. He seemed satisfied. how.
ever, with the frank look In her clear
eyes and said nc / Perhaps he
hoped she would cornide In him-or
perhaps he liked her allthe bctter that
she did not--who knows2
They ate their rneager breakfast
hungriiy vet fingered over n happily.
TheSsmorning seemed 10 each - an ex.
Quisiteslrcg4suEc OF time loaneds4o them
TOR this once, and there fell charm
upon them that neither quite under
stood: only they we're conscious of Joy
~ ut, WSTs9ff. xrdS