The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1919-09-25
why nnt?~

why not?"
Because they called the man who
took So Long Sam, Kind Kurt You
haven't been overland to me till just
lately. Whirling me over sands in that
awful fore-shortened car"
TT must be better" he said dryly,
than the kind you've been used to-"
You mean the Jail jitney. Dc you
know. they never vet put me in one.
Always conveyed me other ways.
Weren't SO bad to me either. l guess
maybe your heart Is III the right place
or you wouldn't nave let me rest and
given me the drink. wen if you did wait
till the eleventh hour. Can't you look
pleasant like o were going to sit for
a picture to give to you best girl in
stead of posing for Just Before the
Battle, Mother?' You look so sorry
you came"
I am" he said angrily. IT guess.
kind Kurt is a bIankety blank fool
as some people say. I've been a lot
kinder to you than you know. When
/ heard Of your case and Bender point
ed you out to me INC said he'd got
you locked w, 1 thought you were one
OF the many youVg city girls who go
wrong because they lave no chance to
know better. The kind bred in slums,
ignorant, i'll fed-the kind who lever
had a fair show. So I resolved that
you should have one. Bender wanted
you out of town with the surety tina
you would never come back.
Il felt sorry for you. / offered to
a o off his hands and bring you
out here among the hills, where the
best woman in the world would teach
you to want to be honest. Do you
suppose I'd have done it if I'd known
the kind you area bright, smart brat
who is bad because she want to be.
and boasts Of it? There is no hope for
your kind"
1t was the longest speech the acting
sheriff had ever made. He had been
scarcely conscious that he was talking,
but was simply voicing what had been
in his thoughts Cor the last half hour
How old is this best woman in the
world'?" asked the girl, seemingly I'M
concerned in his summing up of her
case. rs she FOUR sweetheart or your
wife? If h is either you'd better
take me back to Bender, or spill me
out on the plains here. She won't be
real glad to try to reform a young,
good looking girl like me. l am good
looking. honest, Il / was slicked up a
little"
He looked away, an angry frown on
his lean. strong face. She gazed at him
curiously for a moment, and then laid
a slim, brown hand on his arm.
Listen here, Kurt" she said. You
were right in what you thought about
me never having bad a fair show.
Everything. everyone. including my
self, seems to ave been against me;
II was born with taking ways Z
couldn't live them down. Lately things
have been going wrong awfully fast.
I've been sick n nc one acted as
If | We're human up to a short time
ago. l didn't know that was why you
took me from Bender's jail. Honest,
I'm not so bad as I talk" q
He looked at her akeptically. Her
eyes, now turned FROM him, were soft,
feminine and without guile. He
wouldn't let himself he hoodwinked.
mo; there's no excuse for you,' he
declared emphaticaIly. you are edu-
Gated. You could have earned an hon
est living. You didn't have to steal"
NO." she said slowly and thought
fully. Il didn't have to-" Na.AlA
Then why do you? Bender odd me
you a a life long record OF offering"
Life long! Kind Kurt, l am young
only 90"
He said you'd been given a chance
lover and over again, but that you Vert
hopeless. think you are"
II think so, too" she acknowledged
with a little giggle that brought back
his scowl. you've got a white elephant
on your hands. Kurt What are YOU
going to do with meT
There's only one thing Il car do,
now" he said glumly. Garry out a
bad bargain. I'll see it through"
"Oh. MI. Britling!" she murmmred
soto voce.
What did you say?"
Nothing. Travelling libraries evil
IDENTIFY don't hit this trail. What is it
.::cS.cc:! q anyway2 Your hol,sa?,'
ITO Top Hill Tavern"
Gee! That sounds good. A. tavern.
i hope it's tiptop as well; as tophill.
How did o come to build a. hotel
way off here? Summer b~oarders2 VIII
there be dances?'
TOP Hill Tavern he said colby, us
the name of q ranch-not mine. The
owners live there"
And does she, the best womaus in
the world live thereT'
w must start now" he. said, rising.
abruptly and leading the way to, the
car.
II should think" remarked the girl
casually after his fourth, ineffectuap eff
fort to start the engine. that il she
owns a ranch h might buy a. better
buzz wagon than this"
He made no reply, but. renewed his
futile attempts at starting. mnttaring
words softly the while.
Don't be sore, Kurt. 4 CAN'T help
1t because your old ark WON'T ba,ige.
l didn't steal anything off it, Wouldn't
1t be fierce il you were maroormxs on
the trail with a thief who, has h life
long record!"
He came around the car ard stood
beside her. His face was flushed. His
eyes, of the deep set somber kind that
grow larger and come to. the, sueface
only when trongly moved burned with
the light Of anger.
Did anyone ever try Whipping you,
l wonder?"
Sure" she said cheerfully. Il was
brought up on whippings by a-,tep-
mother. But do you feel that way
toward me? You look like a man who
/ might strife a xyop~Du ,,~5o. .~a4s.-