The Republican journal., 1920-07-08

lesson and will remain sober here
a1ter. l think he's cured
Inc Infamous old outlaw!
Mac knows the San Hedrin as l
Know my own pocket He'll be tower
OF strength when we open up that
tract after the railroad builds in. BY
the way. has my dad been down this
morning?"
Yes. MORA read the mail to him
and then took him up to the Valley of
the Giants. He said he wanted to do
a little quiet figuring on that new
steam schooner you're thinking of
building. He thinks she ought to be
bigger-big enough to carry two mil
lion feet"
Bryce glanced at his watch. TITS
half after eleven" he said. Guess I'll
run up to the Giants and bring him
home to luncheon"
He stepped into the Napier standing
outside the Office and drove away.
Buck Ogilvy waited until Bryce was
out OF sight; then with sudden deter
mlnat1on he entered the office.
"Moira," he said abruptly, approach
Ing the desk where she worked, your
dad is back, and what's more, Bryce
Cardigan has let him have his old job
as woods boss. And I'm here to an
nounce that you're not going back to
the woods to keep house for him. I'm
derstand? Now. look here. Mora. I've
shilly-shallied around you for months
tfno
ten anywhere. Today I'm going to ask
you for the last time. VIII you MARI!
me? l need you worse than that ras-
cal of father of yours does. and tell
you I'll not have you go back to the
woods to take care of him. Come
now. Mora. Do give me definite an
swer."
I'm afraid I don't love you well
enough to marry you. Mr.. Ogilvy"
MORA pleaded. TIN truly fond of you,
but"
"The last boats gone" cried Mr.
Ogilvy desperately I'm answered
Well. I'll not stick around here much
longer, MORA l realize l must be a
nuisance. but | can't help being a nui-
sance when you're near me. So I'll
quit my job here and go back to my
old game of railroading"
"Oh. you wouldn't quit a ten-thou
sand-dollar Job" Moira cried aghast.
I'D quit a million-dolar job. Tn
desperate enough to go over to the
mill and pick a fight with the big
bandsaw. I'm going away where !
can't see you. Your eyes are driving
me crazy"
"But l don't want you to 60, Mr.
Ogilvy"
Call me Buck" he commanded
sharply.
81 don't want you to go, Buck" sho
repeated meellly. 81 shall feel guilty
driving you out of a fine position
Then marry me and III stay"
But suppose I don't love you the
way you deserve"
Suppose. SUPPOSE" Buck Ogilvy
cried. you're no longer certain of
yourself. How dare you deny your
love for me? Eth? Mora. ri risk it,
Her eyes turned to him timidly. and
/
smoky depths lamhent fame. .!
don't know" she quavered. land it's a
big responsibility in case"
"Oh the devil take the case" he
cried rapturously. and took her hands
in his 'Do | improve with age dear
Moira?" he asked with hoyish eager
ness; then. before she could answer.
he swept on, a tornado of love and
pleading. And presently Mora was in
his arms. and he was kissing her. and
she was CRYING softly herause-well
she admired Mr. Buck Ogilvy: moro.
she respected him and was genuinely
fond of him She vonHer"n and she
the knowledge that it did not seem
| at all impossible for her to grow, in
time, absurdly fond of this wholesome
red rascal.
"Oh. Buck, dear" she whispered. 81
don't know, I'm sure, but perhaps I've
loved you a little bit for long time.'
I'm perfectly wild over you. You're
the most wonderful woman l ever
heard of. Old rosy-che ekS" And he
pinched them just to see the color
come and go.
John Cardigan was seated in his
lumberjack'S easy chair as his son ap.
preached. His hat lay on the litter
of brown twigs beside him. his chin
was sunk on his breast, and his head
was held a little to one side in a lis
tening attitude; vagrant little breeze
rustled gently lock of his fine, long
white hair. Bryce stopped over the
old man and shook him gently by the
shoulder
"Wake up, partner" he called cheer
fully. But John Cardigan did not
wake, and again his son shook him.
Still receiving no response. Bryce lift
ed the leonine old head and gazed
into his fathers face. "John Cardi-
GAM" he cried sharply. "Wake up,
old pal"
The old eyes opened and John Car
ligan smiled up at his boy. Good
SON" he whispered "good son!" He
closed his sightless eyes again as if
the mere effort Of holding them open
wearied him. "I've been sitting here
waiting" he went on in the same
gentle whisper. mo, not waiting for
| YOU, bOy-WaitiDg-"