Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1921-02-11

the way, has my dad been down this
morning?"
eyes. MORA 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. He thinks she ought to be
bigger-big enough to carry two mil
lion feet"
Bryce glanced at his watch. "Tt'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 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
nounce that you're not going back to
the woods to keep house for him. IN
derstand? Now, look here, Mora. 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. VIII you marry
me? I need you worse than that ras-
cal of father of yours does, and I tell
you I'll not have you go back to the
woods to take care of him. Come,
now, MORA. Do give me a definite an
swer."
"Pm 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. I'm answered.
Well, I'll not stick around here much
longer. MORA. I realize I must be a
nuisance. but 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" MORA cried aghast.
I'D quit million-dollar job. I'm
desperate enough to go over to the
mill and pick a fight with the big
bandsaw. I'm going away where I
can't see you. Your eyes ire driving
me crazy"
But don't want you to go, Mr..
Ogilvy."
"Call me Buck" he commanded
sharply.
81 don't want you to go, Buck" she
repeated meekly. ''I shall feel guilty,
driving you out of a fine position"
"Then marry me and I'll stay"
"But suppose don't love you the
way you deserve"
Suppose! SUPPOSED" Buck Ogilvy
cried. you're no longer certain of
yourself. How dare you deny your
love for me? Eth? MORA, I'll risk it,"
Her eyes turned to him timidly, and
for the first time he saw in their
smoky depths a lambert fame. 81
don't know" she quavered. "and it's a
big responsibility in case
"Oh, the devil take the casew he
cried rapturously and took her hands
in his do 1 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 softly because-well,
she admired Mr. Buck Ogilvy; more
she respected him and was genuinely
fond of him. She wondered and she
wondered. q quiet joy thrilled her in
the knowledge that it did not seem
ut all impossible for her to grow. in
time, absurdly fond of this wholesome
red rascal.
"Oh, Buck, dear" she whispered, 81
ion't know, I'm sure, but perhaps I've
owed you little bit for a long time"
I'm perfectly wild over you. You're
he most wonderful woman 1 ever
heard of. Old rosy-cheeks" And he
,inched them just TO see the color
,Ome and go.
John Cardigan was seated in his
easy chair as his son ap-
,roached. His hat lay on the litter
f brown twigs beside him; his chin
vas sunk on his breast, and his head
vas held a little to one side in a lis
ening attitude; a vagrant little breeze
ustled gently a lock of his fine, long
lhlte hair. Bryce stopped over the
Id man and shook him gently by the
boulder.
awake up, partner" he called cheer [
ully. But John Cardigan did not
Take, and again his son shook him.
till receiving no response. Bryce lift
d the leonlne old head and gazed
ito his fathers face. John Cardi-
NJ" he cried sharply. wake up,
Id pal"
The old eyes opened and John Car q
gan smiled up at his boy. Good a
~" he whispered, good sonl" He il
osed his sightless eyes again as If v
e mere effort of holding them open h
carried him. 1--WE been sitting here e
aiting," he went on In the same il