The state herald., 1919-12-12

'His neck" he said, between his teeth,
"jus' like that"
They reached an open space. Some
thing black-or was It redt-lay on
the ground. Dave bent over It mo-
ment, then looked up to her white.
clear face. white and clearer than ever
since witnessing the strength Of his
hate.
TITS calf" he said. a. calmly a. he
could. 'Haf ct up. Wolves, guess"
"The poor, poor thing" she breath
ed. '"The poor. innocent thingi Why
did It have to diet"
'It's always the innocent things at
SUFFERS" he answered.
always the innocent things" she
repeated mechanically. "Always-"
She sprang to her feet and faced him.
"Then what about the Justice Of
Godf she demanded.
II don't know nothin' about the JUS
tlce Of Cod" he answered bitterly.
"All / know is the crittur at can't
run gets caught"
There was a long pause. 1T doesn't
seem right" she said at length.
ut amt right" he agreed. "But
guess it's life. see It here on the
prairies with every llvIn' thing.
guess was like that, some we been
caught. l guess baby amt respon.
sible for anything, is it7 didn't
pick my father or my mother. did L?
But l got to bear It,"
There was something near break
In his voice on the last words. She
felt she must speak.
II think your father is wonderful
old man." she said. "and your mother
must have been wonderful, too. You
should be proud of them both"
"Reenie, do you mean that?" he de-
manded. His eyes were looking
straight into hers.
Absolutely" she answered. "Ab.
solutely mean it."
Then I'm goin' to say some more
things to you" he went on rapidly.
Things at didn't know whether to
say or not. but now they've got to be
said, whatever happens. Reenie.
haven't ever been to school or learned
lots Of things I should "a learned, but
/ amt fool. neither. / didn't learn
to break all those bottles In a day.
Well, can learn other things, too,
an will, II only 1t will take me
across. I'm goln' to leave this old
ranch. some way. JUS as soon as It
can be arranged. I'm goin' to town
an work. I'm strong; l can get pretty
good wages. I've been thlnkln' It all
| over. an was askin' some questions
in town today. I can work days an
go to school nights. An I'll do it-if
It'll get me across. You know what !
mean. l amt askin' no pledges. Rec
ME. but what's the chance? know /
don't talk right, and don't eat right
you tried not to notice but you couldn't
help-but, Reenie. think right, an
guess with u girl like you that counts
more than eatin' and talkin'."
She had thought she could say yes
or no to any question lie could ask,
hut as he poured forth these plain,
passionate words she found herself
enveloped In flame that found no ex.
preston In speech. She had no
words. She was glad when he went
on:
Il know I'm only u boy an you're
only n girl. That's why / don't ask
no pledge. ! leave you free. only
want you to stay free until I have
my chance. VIII you promise thati"
She tried to pull herself together.
"You know I've had good time with
you. Dave" she said. land I've gone
with you everywhere. like I would not
have gone with any other boy I ever
knew. and I've talked and let you talk
about things never talked about be-
fore, and ! believe you're true and
clean and-and-"
YES" he said. "What's your an.
swery"
II know you're true and Clean" she
repeated. "Come to me-like that
when I'm woman and you're u man.
and then-then wen know"
lie was tall and straight. and his
shadow fell across her face. us though