The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1921-02-11
CHAPTER XIII.

NANFNA . ~ FNAAas
John Stuart Webster's agile brain
was the repository of many conflict
ing emotions as he bathed, shaved,
and changed from his soiled khaki
field clothes to a suit of ducks before
presenting himself before Dolores.
Had Bllly's courage forsaken him
at the last minute. with the result
that he had gone back to the United
States without having settled the
question of Dolores future7 Had he
proposed and been rejected, or had
he proposed, been accepted, and had
his plans for an immediate marriage
vetoed by Dolores?
In either event, why had Billy
failed to leave note for him at the
Hotel Mateo, or mailed him a letter
to the Globo de Orc at San Miguel de
Padua, advising him of the change In
the plan of action outlined for him by
Webster7
In the simplicity of his single-heart-
ed devotion Webster was puzzled to
understand how any woman in her
with Billy Geary. A man he was, from
heels to hair, and a man with pros
poets far above the average. To Web
ster's way of thinking, the girl who
married Billy might well count her
self fortunate.
Dolores greeted him with unaffected
pleasure. "Well, Caliphp she said.
Just that. It made Webster sensible
of a feeling of having returned to her
after an absence of several years.
'Tm so glad to see you, Miss Ruey,"
he replied, and added boldly, par
ticularly since didn't expect to-"
She knew what her reply would lead
to; nevertheless, with that dissimula-
ton which can only be practiced in
perfection by a clever and beautiful
woman, she answered with equal bold
ness: "Indeedl Pray why?"
"Well, for a pretty good reason, l
think. A few weeks ago, after exam
lining Blll's concession very thorough
ly, l told him he was a potential mill
lionaire. Now, while / disclaim any
appearance of braggadocio, when John
Stuart Webster, 3. NJ makes any
mine owner a report like that, he is
apt to be taken very seriously. And
having made Bill a potential million
aire and arranged to give him three
or four months vacation back home,
1 had notion he'd present to you a
very valid reason why you should ac-
company him."
"You are very frank, Caliph."
That's because Pm curious. He had
a certain dream, and told me about 1t,
and 1 did my little best to make 1t
come true"
II think l understand, Caliph. II
would be very difficult, think, for
anybody to meet Billy without being
attracted toward him. He's one of
the dearest, most lovable boys in the
world-and he did do me the signal
honor Of asking me to marry him. Sc
thereW
swell. and why didn't your"
She smiled at his blunt lnsistence
on forcing the issue. "For a number
of excellent reasons, Caliph. In the
first place, he wanted nue. to marry
him immediately-and ! wasn't ready
to leave Sobrante, while Billy was
Indeed, 1t was highly necessary that
he should leave Immediately, for the
sake of his health, and had Billy'f
interest at heart sufficiently to insist
upon 1t. You seem to forget that
when a girl marries she must make
some preparation for the event, anC
II she has any close relatives, such as
brother, for instance, she likes tC
have that relative present at the cere
mony. You will recall, CaIiph, thai
have a brother and that you have
promised to introduce me to him very
shortly"
"By Judas, never thought Of that
Miss Ruey," the repentant Webster
answered. "In fact, / wasn't think
ing Of anybody's interest In this mat
ter but Bill's."
'NOt even of mine. CalIphT re
proachfuily.
'That goes without saying. Could
have done anything nicer for you thar
fix It for Bill so ne would be IN posi-
ton to marry your Here you are
practically alone In the wOrld-a
least you were when Bill met yoI
and-fell in love with you-and l know
that boy so we'll l was convinced, aft
er meeting you, that his future happl
ness and yours would best be con
served II you married him. / realiz
this Is a most unusual converse
ton"
"Qulte TO be expected Of an unusua
man, Callph. And ! do not think yol