The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1922-09-29


pain. Finally the plate, with his muf-
I'm, carefully balanced on his knee,
from some deyillsh caprice plunged
over the precipice to the carpet and
the bit Of china broke.
Whereupon Kitty gently reproved
him, rs was her wifely duty.
II a;n't no society fellow" the dis
tressed puncher explained to his host
ess, tiny beads Of perspiration on his
forehead.
Beatrice had already guessed as
much, but she did not admit It ito
Johnnie. She and Kitty smiled at each
other IN that common superiority
which their sex gives them to any
mere man upon such an occasion. For
Mrs. John Green, though afternoon tea
was to her an allen custom, took to
1t as a duck to water.
Miss Whitford handed Johnnie an
envelope. would it be too much trou-
BILE for you to take letter to Mr..
1Auushg shc ubhtu NSty NuSuNhy 10
they rose to 60.
The bridegroom said he was much
obliged and he would be plumb tickled
to take a message to Clay.
When Clay read the note his blood
glowed. 1t was characteristic two
line apology:
I've been hosrid little prig. Clay ESQ
the letter ran). Won't you come over
tomorrow and 80 riding with me?
BEATRICE.
Colin whitford had been telling
Clay the story or how a young cow
puncher had snatched Beatrice from
under the hoofs Of charging steer.
His daughter and the Arizonan lis
tened without comment.
awe always thought I'd like to ex-
plain to that young man didn't mean
to insult him by offering money for
saving Bee. But you see he didn't
give me any chance. never did learn
his name" concluded the mining man.
"And Of course we'd like him to
know that we appreciate what he did
for me-" Beatrice added. She looked
at Clay, and pulse beat in her soft
throat.
II reckon he knows that" Lindsay
suggested. "You must "a thought him
mighty rude for to break away like
you say he did,
eve couldn't understand 1t till after
ward. Mr.. Bromfleld had slipped him
a fifty-dollar bill and naturally he re-
scented It." Miss Whitford's face bub-
bled with reminiscent mirth. She
looked a question at Clay. what do
you suppose that irnpudent young seal
awag did with the ffty7"
"GOt drunk on 1t most likely"
"He fed 1t to his horse. Ciary was
furious"
"He would be-" said the cattleman
dryly, in spite of the best Intentions to
{ be generous to his successful rival.
''Bnt l reckon know why yore grand
stand friend in chaps pulled such a
play. In ArlzonaAyou can't square
such things with money. So far as
can make out the puncher didnt do
anything to write home about, but he
didn't want pay for II anyhow"
"Of course, BrOmfield doesn't I'M
derstand the West" said Whitford.
~ wouldn't like that young puncher
half so well If he'd taken the money"
"He didn't need to spoil a perfectly
good flfty-dollar bill, though admitted
Clay.
Eyes, he did,. denied Beatrice.
"That was his protest against Claren-
don's misjudgment of him. I've always
thought 1t perfectly splendid in its
insolence. Some day I'm going to tell
him So"
st happened in your corner of Ar
iona, Lindsay. II you ever find out
who the chap was l wish you'd let MS
know" Whitford said.
an remember"
"If you young people are going rid
ing"
Wed better get started. Quite
right, Dad.S We're off. Clarendon will
probably cali up Tell him I'll be in
about four-thirty."
She pinched her fathers err, kissed
him on one ruddy cheek, then on the
other, and joined Clay at the door.
They were friends again. had been
| for almost half an hour, even though
they had not yet been alone together.
but their friendship was to hold reser~
| vntIons now. The shadow of Clarendon
Bromfield rode between them. They
were little stiff with each other, not
F, so casual MS they had been. A con.
seriousness of sex had Obtruded into
! the old boyish camaraderie.
J After brisk canter they drew their
horses together for walk.
I Beatrice broke the ice Of their COM
monplaces. she looked directly at
him, her cheeks flushing. 81 don't
know how you're going to forgive me,
Clay. I've been awf'Iy small and prig.
gish. l hate to think I'm ungenerOus,
but that's just what I've BEEN"
lets forget It," he said gently.
I, "No, don't want to forget-not till
I'VE told you how humble feel today
/ might have trusted you. Why didn't
L? 1t would have been easy for me
to have taken your little friend in and
a fs4N