Cleveland County herald., 1920-10-07

the way, has my dad been down this morning?"
 'Yes. Moira 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. lie thinks she ought to be bigger-hig enough 10 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 outside the office and drove away. Buck OgiIvy waited until Bryce was out of sight; then with sudden deter imitation 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. Un- derstand? Now, look here, Moira I've shilly-shallied around you for months protesting my love, and I haven't got ten anywhere. Today I'm going to ask you for the last time. Will you marry 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, Moira. Do give me definite an- swer."
 "Tm afraid I don't love you well enough to marry you MT. Ogilvy," Moira pleaded. I'm truly fond of you, but"
 ''The last boats gone" cried Mir Ogilvy desperately. 'Tm answered. Well, Til not stick around here much longer, Moira. I realize I must be a nuisance, but I 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 ten-thou- sand-dollar job" Moira cried aghast.
 "Td quit million-dollar job. I'm desperate enough to go over to the mill and pick fight with the big bandsaw. I'm going away where I cant see you. Your eyes are driving me crazy"
 "But I don't want you to go, Mr. Ogilvy"
 "Can me Buck" he commanded sharply.
 q don't want you to go Buck" she repeated meekly. q shall feel guilty, driving you out of fine position"
 "Then marry me and I'll stay"
 "But suppose I don't love you the way you deserve"
 Suppose! Suppose" !" Buck Ogilvy cried "You're no lenger certain of yourself. How dare you deny your love for me? Eh? 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. q don't know" she quavered, "and it's a big responsibility in case"
 "Oh the devil take the case!' he cried rapturously and took her hands in his. DO I improve with age, dear Moira?" he asked with boyish 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 softN because-well she admired Mir. Buck Ogilvy; more she respected him 9na was genuinely fond of him. ! She @d dpdered and she wondered a N@ 5a5 thrilled her in the knowledge hhagg did not seem at all impossible for her to grow. in time, absurdly fond of. this wholesome red rascal.
 "Oh Buck, dear" she whispered. q don't know, Pm 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 I ever pinched them just to see the color come and go.
 
 John Cardigan was seated in his lumberiack's easy chair as his son ap- preached. His hat lay on the litter of brown twigs beside him. his chin was sank 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.
 "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- ganr' 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. No. not waiting for you, boy-waiting-"
 His head fell over on his sons shoui-