The Red Cloud chief., 1919-10-16

ltTIuk. AIt Huu bCtDtu W uioW thO
limb into place and 1t had been his
first close contact with human pain.
II was different from branding calves
and he had slipped out Of the room as
soon as possible. The morning sun
was now pouring through the window
and the dlstraught look on the boys
face touched her even more than the
frankness Of the words spoken In the
darkness. She suddenly remembered
that he had been up all night--for her.
She would not deceive herself with the
thought that II was for her fathers
sake Dave had gallOped to town, found
"a doctor, secured fresh team and
driven back along the little-used foot
hill trails. No doubt Dave would have
done IL all for her father, had her fa-
Their been there alone, but as things
were she had q deep conviction that
he had done Il for her. And 1t was
with greater effort than seemed rea-
sonable that she laid her fingers on his
arm and said:
"Thank you, Dave"
"what for?" he asked, and she could
not doubt the genuineness Of his ques.
ton.
"Why. for bringing the doctor. and
all that. am sure I can't-father
won't be able to"
ooh. shucks !" he interrupted, with a
manner which, on the previous after.
noon, she would have called rudeness.
THAT'S nothln'. But, say, l brought
home some grub. The chuck here was
pretty tame. Guess you found that
out last night" He looked about the
room and she knew that he was taking
note OF her house-cleanlng, but he
made no remark on the subject.
"well. let's get breakfast" she said,
after a moments pause and for lack
Of other conversation. "YOu must be
hungry"
Dawes purchases had been liberal.
They included fresh meat and vegeta.
bles. canned goods. coffee, rice and
raisins. He laid the last three items
on the table with great assembling
Of Indifference, for he was immensely
proud Of them. They were unwonted
items on the Eden bill of fare; he had
bought them especially for her. BUT
she busted herself at the breakfast
without thought Of the epOch-mark-
ing nature of these purchases.
The doctor, who had been resting In
the room with his patient. entered the
kitchen. During the setting Of the limb
he had gradually become aware Of the
position Of Irene In the household;
but had that not been so. one glance
mt the hoy and girl as they. now stood
In the bright morning sunshine, he
with his big. wiry frame. his brown
face. his dark eyes. his black hair, she.
round and knit and smooth. with the
pink shining through her fair skin and
the light Of youth dancing in her gray
eyes and the light Of day glancing on
her brown hair. must have told him
they had sprung from widely separat-
ed stock. For one perllous moment he
was about to apologize for the mistake
made In the darkness. but some wise
instinct closed his lips. But he won
dered why she had not corrected him.
They were seated at breakfast when
the senior Eden made his appearance.
He had slept Off his debauch and was
as sober as man In the throes of al
cOhOlic appetite may be. Seeing the
strangers, he hesitated In his lurch to-
ward the water pail. steadied himself
on widespread feet. very fiat on the
floor, and waved his right hand slowly
I'm the air. Whether this was to be I'm.
derstoOd as "a form of salutatiOn or a
gesture of defiance was matter of In
depreciation.
"VlshitOrs." said the old man, al
length. "Alwaysh welcome. IN sure
Sh-scush me-" He made his uncertain
way to the water-bench. took great
drink and set about washing his face
. and hands. while the breakfast pro
ceeded In silence. AS his preparation,
neared completion Irene set place al
the table.
won't you sit down here. Mr.. Ell
deni" she said.
There had been no lntroductions
. Dave ate on in silence.
"Thank YOU" said the old man, ant
there was something In his voice whicl
may have been emotion or may hav
l. been the huskiness of the heavy drink
; er's throat. The girl gave 1t the fol
mer explanation. AS he took the prot
e fered chair she saw In this old ma
g. shreds of dignity which the less refine
g eye OF his son had not distinguished
U To Dave his father was an atfiictiOn [
% be borne; an unfair load laid on DO
u who had done tlothing to deserve thl
n punishment. The mlserles associate
N with his parentage had gone far
~ make him sour and moody. Irene Z
y first had thought him rude and gloomy
T. flashes of humOr had modified tn,
opinion, but she had not yet learne
u that his disposition was naturally
W buOyant one, weighed down by an el
Is vironment which had made 1t sogl
and unresponslve. In years to con
C. she was to know what unguesse
IN depths Of character were to be r
| .Axxt.. N..s