The Mena weekly star., 1921-03-10
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 Copyright by Peter H. Kyne
tContinued from Pr. vious Issue,

home to luncha0n.
 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 mination 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. novHee that you're not going back to the woods to keep house for him. Un- derstand? Now. look here. Molra. I've shmy -shallied around you for months, protesting my love, and I haven't got s ten anywhere. Today I'm going to ask you for the last time. Will you marry me? I need you worse than that ras- cal of a 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 a definite an swer."
 I'm afraid don't love you well enough to marry you, Mir. Ogilvy," Moira pleaded. I'm truly fond of you. but"
 "The last boats gone," cried Mfr. 0gilyy desperately. ''Tm answered. Well, I'll not stick around here much longer, Moira. I realize I must be a
 nuisance, but can't help being a hui saHce when you're near me. So I'll $ cuit my job here and go back to my ol6 game of railroading." V ~0h. you wouldn't quit ten-thou- sahs-dollar job" Moira cried aghast. 'Td quit million-dollar job. I'm sde1erate enough to go over to the ' mia and pick fight with the big baBdsaw. I'm going away where
 can't see you. Your eyes are driving me crazy"
 "But don't want you to go. Mir. 0gavy."
 Call me Buck" he commanded
 sharply.
 q don't want you to go. Buck" she repeated neekly. "I shall feel guilty, driving you out of a fine position" ''Then marry me and I'll stay" But suppose I don't love you the ' way you deserve--'
 "Supposel Suppose !" Buck Ogilvy &crfed. You're no longer certain of yourself. How dare you deny your love for me? Eh? Moira, I'll risk It." Her eyes turned to him timldly. and <for the first time he saw in their ksmoky depths a lambent flame. "T Edoa't know" she quavered, ''and it's a Eblg responsibility in case" "Oh, the devil take the easel" he cried rapturously. and took iier hands E in his. Do improve with age, dear z Moira ?" he asked with. Doyisn eager <ness; then. before she could answer. *he swept on, a tornado of love and Spleadlng. And presently Molra was in khis arms. and he was kissing her. and she was crying softly because-well, Fshe admired Mir. Buck Ogilvy more, REhe respected him and was genuinely .fond of him. She wondered and she wondered, quiet joy thrilled her in Tthe knowledge that it did not seem kat all impossible for her to grow, in time, abs1rdly fond of this wholesome
 res rascal.
 "Oh, Buck, dear" she whispered. 'T uoh't know, I'm sure, but perhaps I've
 loved you little bit for long time" 'Tn perfectly wild over you. You're Efhe most wonderful woman ever Eheard of. Old rosy-cheeks I" And he #pinehed them just to see the color &come and go.
 
 John Cardigan was seated in his
 lunberjack's easy chair as his son ap- preached. His hat lay on the litter kof brown twigs beside him his chin
 was sunk on his breast, and his head { waa held a little to one side in lis
 fesang attitude: yagrant little breeze
 rsstled gently lock of his fine. long wate hair. Bryce stopped over the Eold man and shook him gently by the | EsAeulder.
 Wake np. partner" he called cheer
 fbhy But John Cardigan did not
 wake, and again his son shook him.
 Sss receiving no response. Bryce lift <es the leonine old head and gazed Into his fathers face. "John Cardi-
 gan ," he cried sharply. Wake up. Fold pal"
 Ihe old eyes opened and John Car
 iissn smiled up at his boy. "Good
 Sen" he whispered. "good son !" He [ciosed his sightless eyes again as If
 1e mere effort of holding them open sWearied him. I've been sitting here
 waiting," he went on In the same
 gentle whisper. No, not waiting for <yeu, boy--waiting-"
 His head fell over on his sons shoul- Euer; his hand went groping for
 Tyce's. Listen" he continued. Can't &ssu hear it--the Silence? I'll walt for =you here, my son. Mother and I will
 watt together now--in this spot she
 fancied. I'm tired--I want rest. Look
 srter old Mac and Moira-and Bill l EEi,andy. who lost his leg at Camp Seven
 last fall-and Tom EIlington's chil-
 nren-and-all the others. son. You
 ROW, Bryce. They're your responsi-
 nmties. Sorry I can't wait to see tho
 nan Hedrin opened up. but-Tve lived
 ny life and loved my love. Ah. yes,
 I've been happy-so happy just doing
 knings-an -and-dreaming here among my
 1-ants-and-"
 He sighed gently. "Good son." he
 whispered again: his big body relaxed. XHHG tho <t- teHnnoUf