Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1920-04-02

His neck" he said, between his teeth,
"jus' like that"
They reached an open space. Some
thing black-or was it redI-lay on
the ground. Dave bent over 1t mo-
ment, then looked up TO her white,
clear face, white aad clearer than ever
since witnessing the strength of his
hate.
"It's calf" he said, as calmly as he
could. "Half ct up. Wolves, / guess"
"The poor, poor thing!" she breath
ed. THE poor, innocent thing! why
did it have to dieT'
ITS always the innocent things at
SUFFERS" he answered.
Always the innocent things" she
repeated mechanically. Always
She sprang to her feet ana faced MIN.
"Then what about the justice OF
God?" she demanded.
~ don't know nothin' about the JUS
tice of God" he answered bitterly.
"All l know is the crittur at can't
run gets caught
There was long pause. ut doesn't
seem right" she said at length.
at amt right" he agreed. But l
guess it's life. l see it here on the
prairies with every Twin thing. /
guess I was like that, some. I've been
caught. l guess baby amt respon-
sible for anything, is it? l didn't
pick my father or my mother, did I?
But got to bear it,"
There was something near break
in his voice on the last words. She
felt she must speak.
IT 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 that?" he de-
manded. His eyes were looking
straight into hers.
Absolutely" she answered. cab.
solutely mean it."
"Then I'm goin' to say some more
things to you," he went on rapidly.
"Things at l didn't know whether to
say or not, but now they've got to be
said, whatever happens. Reenie, l
haven't ever been to school or learned
lots of things should "a learned, but
l amt fool, neither. l didn't learn
to break all those bottles in day.
Well, I can learn other things, too,
an l will, If only it will take me
across. I'm goin' to leave this old
ranch, some way, JUS as soon as it
can be arranged. I'm goin' to town
an work. Pm strong; can get pretty
good wages. I've been thinkin' it all
over, an was askin' some questions
in town today. / can work days an
go to school nights. An I'll do tiff
it'll get me across. You know what
mean. / amt askin' no pledges, Rec
ME, but what's the chance? l know ]
don't talk right, and l don't eat right
help-but, Reenie, I think right, an
guess with 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
| PuSoiouutC WINS Sli0 lOuhu hCIoCll
enveloped in flame that found no ex
preston in speech. She had nc
words. She was glad when he went
on:
II know I'm only boy an you're
only girl. That's why l don't ash
no pledge. I 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 witt
you, Dave" she said, "and I've gone
with you everywhere, like would no.
have gone with any other boy / evel
knew, and I've talked and let you tall
about things never talked about be
fore, and I believe you're true ant
clean and-and-"
YES" he said. "What's your an
swer?'
II know you're true and Clean" sh,
repeated. "COme to me-like that
when I'm a woman and you're a man
and then-then We'll know
He was tall and straight, and hi
shadow fell across her face. as though