The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1919-10-30

talkin' II over, an your rather THINKS
he's spry enough for the rond again.
Amt ever goin to be like 1t used to be
after he's gone, an YOU"
"WeIl be sorry to CO." said the doc
tor. THAT'S what I've been saying all
day, and thinking, too. If misfortunes
can be lucky, ours was one of that
kind. I don't know when I've enjoyed
n holiday so much. What do you say,
girl?" he asked, as he rested an arm
on her round, firm shoulder and looked
with fatherly fondness into the fine
brown of her face.
'Pve never known anything like IT,"
she answered. cts wonderful. It's
life" Then with sudden little scream
she exclaimed: "Oh, daddy. why can't
you sell your practice aud buy n
ranch? 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 20 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 / can travel now,
and my leg will be pretty strong by
the time I am back east. If 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. 1 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 saddled
horse by his side. The hours were
leaden for the girl all that day and,
specter of her life Swallowed down the
years by an unutterable 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 60
back into the little circle where con-
vention fenced out the tiniest alien
streamlet, although the circle itself
might lie deep In mlre? And how
would she give up this boy who had
grown SO imperceptibly but so init
mately into the very soul Of her being
give him up with all his strength and
vlrlity and, yes, and coarseness, If you
will, hut sincerity. tOO-an essential
man, as God made HMM exchange
for a machine-made counterfeit with
the stamp Of Society? Deeply did she
ponder these questions, and as the day
wore on she found herself possessed
Of steadily growing determination
that she would not follow the beate:
trail, let the by-paths lead where they
might.
Darkness, save for a white moon
had settled over the foothills when the
boy returned with another young man
The stranger ate ravenous supper
hut was not too occupied to essay con
versation with Irene. He chose to cal
! her cook.
"Swell pancakes. cook" was hi
opening remark. "Can you find an
other for yours trulyf"
She refilled his plate without IN
swer.
"Used to know a girl mighty lik'
YOU" he went on. "Waitress In tn
! Royal Edward. Geei but she wa
swell! A pippin! Glass? Say. SIN
had 'em all guessing. Had me guessin,
myself for while. But just for
while" He voiced these remarks witt
nm air Of intense self-apprOval NOR
offensive than the words.
Irene felt the color rise about he
neck and cheeks and run like an over
flowing stream into her ears and abou
her hair. 1t was evident that, for
second time, Dave had chosen to sa
nothing to strangers about her pres
ence at the ranch. Her father and MI
Eden were In Dawes room; Dave ha
stopped eating, and she saw the vein
rising in his clenched fists. But tn
challenge was to her, and she woul
accept it; she felt no need of his pre-
r. lection.
"Flll your stomach" she said, pas
Ing more pancakesi "your head
re hopeless"
lie He attempted laugh, but the me,
g, was finished In silence. The strange
IN lit cigarette and Irene went to I'll
" door with Dave.
Of "COme for a walk" he Whispers
H. 1.-The horses are tired. SO let's wal
ed It's our last chance"
I'd She ran for her sweater and rejoine
IN him in moment. They walked
he silence down Il path through the FRI
lg grant trees, but Dave turned from tin
k. to time to catch glimpse Of her fac
ed white and fine as ivory in the so
Of light. He had much to say, but he Wi
W. tongue-tied under the spell of h
us beauty.
re "You sQuelched him, all right"
er broke out, at length.
ny Just In time. too, l think" she I
of piled. 81 was watching your hands"
He smiled IA quiet but very conilde
MS smile. "Reenle," he said, that fello
lid makes me sick. All the way out
he talked about girls. He's city CHI
he an wears n white collar, but he ali
~ ~ 70 cnaok vnne mama Annthar mi