The state herald., 1919-12-12

harm, or you, neither. We was JUS
talkin' It over, an your father thinks
he's spry enough for the road again.
Amt ever goin' to be like It used to be
after he's gone. an you"
wen be sorry to CO." said the doc
tor. That's what I've been saying all
day. and thinking. too. II mlsfortunes
can be lucky. ours was one Of that
kind. don't know when I've enjoyed
holiday SO much. What do you say.
girlf" he asked. us he rested an arm
on her round, firm shoulder and looked
with fatherly fondness into the fine
brown Of her face.
1--WE never known anything like It,"
she answered. ats wonderful. It's
life" Then with sudden little scream
she exclaimed: "Oh, daddy, why can't
you sell your practice and buy
ranchf wouldn't that be wonderfulf"
"Your mother might not see It that
way" he replied and her eyes fell.
Yes, that was the obstacle. She
would have to 60 back to the city and
talk by rule. and dress by rule, and
behave by rule. and be correct.
ITS been good time" the doctor
continued, when they had commenced
supper, 'but I've already overstayed
my holiday. feel 1 can travel now.
and my leg will be pretty strong by
the time am back east. II Dave will
oblige US by going to town tomorrow
and bringing back some one who can
drive n car, we will be able to start
the following morning. will just take
the car to town, and either sell 1t there
or ship It,"
The following morning found Dave
early on the trail, leading n saddled
horse by his side. The hours were
leaden for the girl all that day and.
looking into the future, she saw the
specter of her life shadowed down the
years by an unutternble loneliness.
How could she ever drop 1t all-all
this wild freedom. this boundless
health. this great outdoors, this life,
life-how could she drop 1t all and 20
back into the little circle where con-
vention fenced out the tinlest allen
streamlet. although the circle itself
might lie deep in mire? And how
would she give up this boy who had
grown SO imperceptibly but so inti-
mately into the very soul Of her being
give him up with all his strength and
virility and. yes. and coarseness, II you
will, hut sincerity. too-an essential
man, as God made HMM exchange
for machine-made counterfeit with
the stamp Of Societyf Deeply did she
ponder these questions. and as the dny
wore on she found herself possessed
OF steadily growing determination
that she would not follow the beaten
trail, let the by-paths lead where they
might.
Darkness, save for white moon,
had settled over the foothills when the
boy returned with another young man.
The stranger ate a ravenous supper.
but was not too occupied ia, essay con.
versation with Irene. He chose to call
| her cook.
''Swell pancakes. cook" was his
opening remark. "Can you find an
other for yours truly2"
She refilled his plate without an
swer.
"Used to know u girl mighty like
you," he went on. "waltress In the
Royal Edward. Gee! but she was
swell! A plppin! Class? Say. she
had 'em all guessing. Had me guessing
myself for while. But Just for n
while" He voiced these remarks with
IN mir of intense self-approvnl more
offensive than the words.
Irene felt the color rise about her
neck and cheeks and run like an over
flowing stream into her ears and about
her hair. II was evident that. for II
second time. Dave Ind chosen TO say
nothing to strangers nbOut her pres
encc Mt the rnnch. Her father and Mr..
Eden were In Dawes room: Dave had
stopped eating. md she saw the veins
rising In his clenched fists. But the
challenge was TO her. md she would
accept II; she felt no need Of his pro.
lection.
"Fill your stomach" she said. pass.
Ing more pancakes; "your head In
hopeless"
He attempted laugh. but the meal
was finished In silence. The stranger
lit q cigarette and Irene went to the
door with Dave.
''Come for n walk" he whispered.
The horses are tired. NO let's walk.
:. It's our last chance"
She rnn for her sweater and rejolned
him In moment. They walked In
silence down path through the fra.
grnnt trees. but Dave turned from time
TO time TO catch glimpse Of her face,
white md fine ms Ivory In the soft
light. He had much TO sny. but he was
toneuc.ticd under the spell Of her
beauty.
"You squclchcd him. NIL right" he
broke out, nt length.
aust In time. too. I think" she re-.
piled. II wns watching your hands"