The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1921-02-01

tom down this way Tor men TO KISS
each other. Wen dispense with that,
but by" He folded Billy in pater-
nal embrace, then held him at arms
length and looked him over.
Lord. son." he said. you're as thin
I as snake. I'll have to feed you up"
. AS they sped toward the landing, he
looked Billy over once more. II have
It," he declared. "You need a change
Of climate to get rid Of that malaria.
Just show me this little old mining
claim of yours, Bill, and then hike for
Gods country. Three months up there
will put you right again, and by the
time you get back, wen be about ready
to weigh the first cleanup"
Billy shook his head. I'D like to
mighty well, Jack" he replied, "but
just can't"
"Huh suppose you don't think I'm
equal to the task of Strengthening out
this concession Of yours and making
hummer out of it, eh?"
The young fellow looked across at
him sheepishly. "Mine?" he jeered.
"Who's talking about a mine. I'm
thinking Of a girl"
"Oh!"
"Some girl, Johnny"
II hope she's not some parrakeet,"
Webster bantercd. "Have you looked
up her pedigree?"
"Ah-h-h!" Billy spat over the side in
oh ~ se.
sirl-born here, but white-raised in
the U. S. A. I've only known her
three weeks, but-ah!" And Billy
kissed his hand into space.
"Well. I'm glad find you so happy,
boy. When do you pull off the we'd
ding?'
"Oh," said Billy, "that's premature,
Jack. haven't asked her. How
could I until Pm able to support herr"
Look here, son." Webster replied.
'dOn't you go to work and be the kind
Of fool I was. You get married and
take chance. A man ought to marry
young, Bill. Hang the odds. know
what's good for YOU"
At the hotel Billy sent a note to
Dolores, apprising her that John
Stuart Webster had arrived-and
would she be good enough to receive
them?
Miss Ruey would be that gracious.
She was waiting for them in the yeran-
da just off the patio, outwardly calm,
but inwardly a foment Of conflicting
emotions. AS they approached she af-
fected not to see them and turning,
glanced in the opposite direction; nor
did she move her head until Billy's
voice, speaking at her elbow, said:
swell, Dolores, here's my old Jack
partner waiting to be introduced.
Jack, permit me to present Miss Do
lores Ruey."
She turned her face and rose gra-
ciously, marking with secret triumph
the light Of recognition that leaped to
his eyes, lowered there the hundredth
part of a second and departed, leaving
those keen, quizzical blue orbs apprais-
ing her in the most natural manner I'M
aginable. Webster bowed.
1T is great happiness to meet you,
Miss Ruey," he said gravely.
Dolores gave him her hand. 'You
have doubtless forgotten, Mr.. Webster,
but think we have met before"
"Indeed!" John Stuart Webster MUIR
INJURED interestedly. $50 stupid of me
not to remember. Where did we meet?"
"He has profound sense of hui
NOR" she soliloquized. Hes going to
force me into the open. Oh, dear, I'm
helpless" Aloud she said: "On the
train in Death valley last month, Mr..
Webster"
Webster shook his head slowly, as if
mystifed. Il fear you're mistaken,
Miss iuey. I wasn't on the train in
Death valley last month. I was in
Denver-so you must have met some
other Mr.. Webster"
She flushed furiously. II didn't
think 1 could be mistaken" she an
swercd trifle coldly.
1T is my misfortune that you were,"
he replied graciously. "Certainly, had
we met at that time, should not have
failed to recognize you now. Some
how, Miss Iiuey, I never have any
luck"
She was completely outgeneraled.
and having the good sense to realize it,
submitted gracefully. Hes perfectly
horrible" she told herself, "but at least
he can lie like gentleman--and l al
ways did like that kind of man."
SO they chatted on the vcranda until
luncheon was announced and Dolores
left them to go to her room.
'Well?" Billy queried the moment
she was out Of carshot:. "What do you
think, johnny"
II think" said John Stuart Webster,
slowly, "that you're good picker, Bill
She's my ideal of Il fine young woman.
and my advice to you is to marry her.
I'll grub-stake you. Bill, this stiff COL
lar is choking me; I wish you'd wait
here while I 90 to my room and rustic
up soft One."
In the privacy of his room John
Stuart Webster sat down on his bed
and held his head in his hands, for he
had just received blow in the solar
plexus and was still groggy. Present
~, however, he pulled himself together
and approaching the mirror looked