The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1919-10-30
Ellis neck" he said. between his teeth.
nf,ta' lilo thatv

"Hls neck" he said. between his teeth,
aus like that"
They reached an open space. Some
thing black---or was 1t red?--lay on
the ground. Dave bent over It mo.
ment, then looked up to her white,
clear face, white and clearer than ever
since witnessing the strength of his
hate.
ITS calf" he SAID as calmly as he
could. 'Half ct up. Wolves, 1 guess"
"The poor, poor thing" she breath.
ed. "The poor innocent thing! Why
did it have to die?"
"It's always the innocent things at
SUFFERS" he answered.
Always the innocent things" she
repeated mechanically. always"
She sprang to her feet ana faced him.
"Then what about the justice Of
GOd?" she demanded.
~ don't know nothin' about the jus
tice of Cod" he answered bitterly.
"All know is the crittur at can't
run gets caught"
There was u long pause. ut doesn't
seem right" she said ut length.
at amt right" he agreed. But
guess it's life. see It here on the
prniries with every Twin thing.
guess was like that, some. I've been
caught. guess baby amt respon.
slble for anything, Is 1t? l didn't
pick my father or my mother, did RI
But got to bear It,"
There was something near break
In his voice on the last words. She
felt she must speak.
~ think your father Is wonderful
old man." she said. land your mother
must have been wonderful, too. You
should be proud of them both"
"Reenie, do you mean thatf" he de.
manded. His eyes were looking
straight into hers.
absolutely" she answered. "Ab
solutely mean It,"
"Then I'm gOin' to say some more
things to you" he went on rapidly.
"Things at didn't know whether to
say or not, but now they've got to be
said, whatever happens. Reenie, I
haven't ever been to school or learned
lots of things should "a learned, but
l amt fool, neither. didn't learn
to break all those bottles in a day.
Well. I can learn other things, too,
an I will. II only it will take me
across. I'm goin' to leave this old
ranch, some way. JUS as soon as II
can be arranged. I'm gOin' to town
an work. I'm strong; can get pretty
good wages. I've been thinkin' 1t all
over. an was askin' some questions
In town today. l can work days an
90 to school nights. An I'll do tiff
It'll get me across. You know what
mean. I amt askin' no pledges. Rec
ME. but what's the chance? know
don't talk right and don't eat right
you tried not to notice but you couldn't
help-but. Reenie. think right. an
guess with a girl like you that counts
more than eatin' and talkin'."
She had thought she could say yes
or no to any question he could ask
hut as he poured forth these plain
passionate words she found herself
envelOped in flame that found no ex.
preston In speech. She had nc
words. She was glad when he went
on:
81 know I'm only boy an you're
only girl. That's why I don't ask
no pledge. l leave you free. only
want you to stay free until l have
my chance. VIII you promise that?"
She tried to pull herself together
"You know I've had good time with
you. Dave" she said, land I've gone
with you everywhere, like I would not
have gone with any other boy ever
knew. and I've talked and let you tall
about things / never talked about be
fore, and believe you're true ant
: clean and-and-"
EYES," he said. "What's your an
swer?"
|, II know you're true and Clean" sh,
repeated. "COme to me-like that
when I'm woman and you're man
; and then-then Wen know"
, He was tall and straight, and hi
, shadow fell across her face. as though