The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-12-11

in no sense masculine Save for
womanhOod inspired, he came and
went with her as he might have done
with man chum of his own age. And
when she preferred to ride without
Forsyth it did not occur to Eden that
she preferred to ride with him.
They were soon in the country, and
Edith, leading, swung from the road
to a bride trail that followed the
winding of the river. As her graceful
figure drifted on ahead 1t seemed more
than ever reminiscent of Reenie
Hardy. What rides they had had on
those fOothill trailsl What clippings
into the great canyons! What adven-
lures into the spruce forestsI And
how long ago it all seemed! This girl.
riding ahead, suggestive in every curve
and pose of Reenie Hardy. His
eyes were burning with loneliness.
He knew he was dull that day, and
Edith was particularly charming and
vivacious. She coaxed him into con-
versatiOn a dozen times, but he an
swered absent-mindedly. At length
she leaped from her horse and seated
herself, facing the river, on a fallen
log. Without looking back she in
dicated with her hand the space be-
side her, and Dave followed and sat
down.
You aren't talking today" she said.
You don't quite do yourself justice.
What's wrong?"
"Oh, aOthing!'' he answered, with q
laugh, pulling himself together. 'aThis
September weather always gets me.
1 guess I have a streak of Indian; it
comes OF being brought up on the
ranges And in September, after the
first frOsts have touched the foliage"
He paused, as though it was not nee
essary to say more.
Eyes, I know" she said quietly.
Then, with queer little note of con-
fidence, Don't apologize for it, Dave"
"Apologize?" and his form straight
ened- Certainly not One
doesn't apologize for nature, does he?
But it comes back in Septem-
ber."
He smiled, and she thought the sub
conscious in him was calling up the
smell Of fire in dry grass, or perhaps
even the rumble of buffalo over the
hills. And he knew he smiled because
he had so completely misled her.
1t was dusk when they started
hnmeward.
Forsyth was waiting for her. Dave
scented stormy weather and excused
himself early.
what does this mean?' demanded
Forsyth angrily as soon as Dave had
gone. do you think I will take sec
Ond place to that-that coal heaver7"
THAT is not to his discredit," she
said.
straight from the corrals into good
society" Forsyth sneered.
Then she made no pretense of COM
posure. IF you have nothing more to
urge against Mr.. Eden perhaps you
will 60"
Forsyth took his hat. At the door
he paused and turned, but she was al
ready ostensibly interested in a maya
zine. He went out into the night.
The week was a busy one with Dave
and he had no opportunity to visit the
Duhcans. Friday Edith called him on
the telephone. She asked an incense
Quential question about something
which had appeared in the paper, and
from that the talk drifted on until it
turned on the point of their expedition
of the previous Sunday. Dave never
could account quite clearly how it hap
pened, but when he hung up the re-
ceiver he knew he had asked her to
ride with him again on Sunday, and
she had accepted. He had ridden with
her before, Of course, but he had never
asked her before. He felt that a subtle
change had come over their relation
ship.