The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-11-18

lmornlng?"
"Yes. MORA read the mali 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 he
blgger-blg enough to carry two mil
| lion feet" -,
Bryce glanced at his watch. 'It's
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
Buck Ogilvy waited until Bryce was
ont of sight; then with sudden deter
mination he entered the office.
"Molra," 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, Moira. I've
shilly-shallied around you for months,
protesting my love, and l haven't got
ten anywhere. Today I'm going to ask
you for the last time. VIII you marry
me7 l need you worse than that ras-
cal of q 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."
'Tm afraid I don't love you well
enough to marry you, Mr.. Ogilvy,"
MORA pleaded. "I'm truly fond Of you,
but"
"The last boats gone" cried Mr..
Ogilvy desperately. "rm answered
Well, I'll not stick around here much
longer. MORA. / realize | must be a
nuisance. but can't help being null
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 ten-thou-
sand-dollar Job" MORA cried aghast.
ard quit a milIlon-dollar job. I'm
desperate enough to go over to the
mill and pick fight with the big
i bandsaw. I'm going away where I
. can't see you. Your eyes are driving
me crazy"
"But l don't want you to go, Mr..
Ogllvy"
"Call me Buck" he commanded
sharply.
"T don't want you 10 go, Buck" she
|. repeated meekly. ~ shall feel guilty
! driving you out of fine position"
: "Then marry me and I'll stay"
> "But suppose don't love you the
, way you deserve"
. "Supposel Supposed" Buck Ogilvy
cried. you're no longer certain OF
yourself. How dare you deny your
. love for mel Eh2 MORA, I'll risk It, y
Her eyes turned to him timldly, and
= for the first time he saw In theii
: smoky depths n lambent flame. 81
!, don't know" she quayered, "and It's q
!, big responsibility In case"
"Oh. the. devil take the casew h'
cried rapturously, and took her hands
:, in his. "Do improve with age. deal
y MoiraT he asked with boylsh eager
ness; then, before she could answer
he swept on, tornado Of love ant
l. pleading. And presently MORA was II
his arms, and he was kissing her, an,
u she was crying softly becausc-well
u she admired Mr.. Buck Ogilvy; more
u she respected him and was genuinel.
n fond of him. She wondered and sh
wondered, quiet Joy thrilled her Il
= the knowledge that It did not seen
Is at all impossible for her to grow, 4
ID time, absurdly fond of this wholesom
1t red rascal.
D. "Oh, Buck, DEAR" she whispered. '
le don't know, I'm sure, but perhaps Tv
lie loved you a little bit for long time.
1T "I'm perfectly wild over you. Your
* the most wonderful woman / eve
Is heard OF. Old rosy-cheeksw And h
m plnched them just to see the colo
'r come and go.
John Cardigan was seated In h
to lumherjack's easy chair as his son al
Id preached. His hat lay on the littt
n OF brown twlgs beside him; his chi
Id was sunk on his breast, and his hea
IN was held a little to one side In II
n tening attitude; vagrant little bree'
u rustled gently lock Of his fine. lor
to white hair. Bryce stopped over Il
In old man and shook him gently by Il
ld shoulder.
is "wake up, partner" he called chee
J." fully. But John Cardigan did M
wake, and again his son shook hir
m, Still receiving no response, Bryce III
he ed the leonlne old head and gaze
of into his fathers face. "John Card
let ganp he cried sharply. "Wake u
lis old pal"
he The old eyes opened and John Ca
er ligan smiled up at his boy. 600
ma son." he whispered, good son" /
rs closed his sightless eyes again as
he the mere effort Of holding them OPP
DIS wearied him. "rve been sitting here
,b. waiting" he went on In the san
SITS gentle whisper. mo. not waiting Z
an you. boy-waiting-"
ar His head fell over on his sons shot
or der; his hand went cropping 4