The Jones County news., 1920-12-23

I
ard 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 III
run up to the Giants and bring him
home to luncheon"
He stepped into the Napier standing
outside the Office and drove away.
Buck Ogllvy waited until Bryce was
ont OF sight then with sudden deter
mlnatlon 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 Tn here to an
ncunce that you're not going back to
the woods to keep house for him. Un-
dersiand7 Now, look here Moira. I've
shilly-shallied around you for months.
protesting my love. and ! haven't got
ten anywhere. Today I'm going TO ask
you for the last time VIII you marry
me? ! need you worse than that ras-
cal Of father OF yours does, and tell
you III not have you go back to the
woods to take care of him. Come,
now, Moira. Do give me a definite an
swer"
I'm afraid I don't love you well
enough to marry you. Mr.. Ogilvy,"
MORA pleaded. Pm truly fond OF you
but"
"The last boats gene" cried Mr.
Ogilyy desperately. I'm answered
Wen. I'll not stick around here much
longer, MORA. realize must be a
nuisance, but can't help being nui-.
sHnee when you're near me. So I'll
quit my job here and go back to my
old game Of railroading."
.,"0h.. you wouldn't quit ten-thou-
sand-dollar job" Moira cried aghast.
2 I'D quit a milllon-dollar job. I'm
desperate enough to go over to the
mill and pick fight with the big
bandsaw. I'm going away where
can't see you Your eyes are driving
me crazy"
but don't want you to go. Mr..
s s'Ncaiil me Buck" ne commanded
sharply
II don't want you to go, Buck" she
repeated meekiy. 81 shall feel guilty,
driving you out OF fine position"
"Then marry me and I'll stay
'But suppose l don't love you the
way you deserve"
"Supposei Supposei" Buck Ogilvy
cried "You're no longer certain of
yourself How dare you deny your
love for me? Eh7 Moira, I'll risk it,
Her eyes turned to him timidly. and
for the FIRST time he saw in their
smoky depths a lambent flame. II
don't know. she quavered, land it's
big responsibility In case
"Oh, the devil take the casew he
cried rapturously, and took her hands
In. his "Do improve with age. dear
Moira?. he asked with boyish eager
ness; then, before she could answer,
ne swept on, tornado of love and
pleading. And presently Moira was in
his arms. and he was kissing her, and
she was crying softly because-well,
she admired, Mr.. Buck Ogilvy; more.
she respected him and was genuinely
fond OF him. She wondered and she
wondereds quiet Joy thrilled her In
the knowledge that II did not seem
at all impossible for her to grow, in
time. absurdly fond of this wholesome
red rascal. r.
"Oh, Buck, deQr" 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 ever
heard of. Old rosy-cheeks And he
pinched tnem 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 little to one side in 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
awake up, partner" he called cheer
fully. But John Cardigan did not
wake. and again his son shook him.
Stin receiving no response. Bryce lift
ed the leonlne old head and gazed
into his fathers face "John Cardi-
ganw 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 sightIess eyes again as II
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-waitIng-"
His head fell over on his sons shoul-
der; his hand went cropping for
Bryce's. Listen" he continued. Cant
you hear 1.-THE Silence7 Til walt for
you here, my son. Mother and will