The Southern herald., 1920-01-16

''Hls neck" he said, between his teeth,
"jus' like that"
They reached an open space. Some.
thing black-or was it red7-lay on
the ground. Dave bent Osar it a mo-
ment, then looked up to her white.
clear face, white and clearer than ever
since witnessing the strength Of his
hate,
"It-s a caf," he said, as calmly as he
could. "Half ct up Wolves, / guess"
"The poor, poor thingp she breath
ed. "The poor, innocent thing! Why
did it have to die?"
Its always the innocent things at
suffers" he answered.
always the innocent things" she
repeated mechanically. always"
She sprang to her feet and faced him.
"Then what about the justice Of
God?' she demanded.
II don't know nothin' about the jus
tice of God" he answered bitterly.
"All / know is the crittur at can't
run gets caught"
There was long pause. "It doesn't
seem right" she said at length.
''It amt right" he agreed. 'But I
guess it's life. l see it here on the
prairies with every livin' thing.
guess / was like that, some. I've been
caught. l guess a baby amt respon-
sible for anything, is it? / didn't
pick my father or my mother, did II
But / got to bear it."
There was something near a break
in his voice on the last words. She
felt she must speak.
II think your father is wonderful
old man." she said, "and your mother
must have been wonderful, too. You
should be proud Of them both"
"Reenle, do you mean that?" 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. ReenieA
haven't ever been to school or learned
lots Of things should a. learned, but
l amt fool, neither. I didn't learn
to break all those bottles in q day.
Well, can learn other things, too,
an will, If only it will take me
across. I'm goin' to leave this old
ranch, some way, JUS as soon as il
can be arranged. I'm goln' to town
an work. I'm strong; can get pretty
good wages. I've been thinkin' it all
over, an was askin' some questions
in town today. l can work days an
go to school nights. An I'll do It-if
it'll get me across. You know what I
mean. ] 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 talkln'."
She had thought she could say yes
or no to any question he could ask,
but as he poured forth these plain,
passionate words she found herself
enveloped in flame that found no ex.
preston In speech. She had nR
words. She was glad when he went
on:
Il know I'm only boy an yours
only a girl. That's why don't ash
no pledge. leave you free, only I
want you to stay free until have
my chance. Will you promise thatY
She tried to pull herself together.
"You know I've had a-g60W time with
you, Dave" she said, "anulrv gone
with you everywhere, like w0uiasi
have gone with any other boy |
knew, and I've talked and let you
about things / never talked about
fore, and believe you're true
clean and-and= ~
ayes" he said. "Whst's your 's-e
swer?"
II know you're true and CLEAN" sus
repeated. "Come to me-Ike shat
when I'm woman and youra q mlan
and then-then wen know"
He was tall and straight and Jnis
shadow fell across her face. as though