The Holbrook news., 1922-10-06
The Cross-Cut By Courtney Ryley Cooper
 OynhE Brown

kill for him, even If he does beat her when she goes to his house and begs him to take her back. That's the kind of crowd 1t Is. Just to put a good finish on 1t all, the young 'un moves In the best society in town and spends most of his time trying to argue the former district judges daughter into marrying him. So there you are. That's all Mother Howard knows. Son."
 She turned to the door and then, turning. patted Fairchild on the shoul- der.
 "Boy," came quietly, you've got a broad back and good head. Rodaine beat your father-don't let him beat you. And always remember one thing: Old Mother Towards played the game before. and she'll play 1t with you-dark streets aren't exactly the place for you"
 Robert Fairchild obeyed the in- structions, a victim of many a conjec- ture. many an attempt at reasoning as he sought sleep that was far away. Again and again there rose before him the vision of two men in an open buggy, with a person between them whom Ohadi believed to be an effemi- nate-voiced Swede; in reality, only a woman. And why had they adopted the eypedlent? Why had not Larsen been with them In reality? It was hours before Fairchild found sleep, and even then 1t was a thing of troubled visions.
 Streaming sun awakened him, and he hurried to the dining room to find himself the last lodger at the tables. He ate rather nasty meal, made more so by an impatient waitress, then with the necessary papers in his pocket, Fairchild started toward the courthouse and the legal procedure which must be undergone before he made his first trip to the mine.
 A block or two, and then Fairchild suddenly halted. Crossing the street at an angle just before him was a young woman whose features, whose mannerisms he recognized. The whip cord riding habit had given place now to tailored suit which deprived her of the boyishness that had been so apparent on their first meeting. The cap had disappeared before close fitting, varicolored turban. But the straying brown hair still was there, the brown eyes, the piquant little nose and the prettily formed lips. Fair child's heart thumped-nor did he stop to consider why. A quickening of his pace. and he met her just as she stepped to the curbing.
 I'm so glad of this opportunity" he exclaimed happily. q want to re- turn that money to you. IT was so fused yesterday I didn't realize"
 Aren't you mistaken?" She looked at him with slight smile. Fairchild did not catch the infection.
 "Ch. no. I'm the man, you know, who helped you change that tire on the Denver road yesterday"
 Pardon me" This time one brown eye had wavered ever so slightly, in- dicating someone behind Fairchild. But I wasn't on the Denver road yesterday, and if you'll excuse me for saying so, don't remember ever hay ing seen you before"
 There was little light in her eyes which took away the sting of the de- nial, light which seemed to arge cau- ton, and at the came lime to tell Fair child that she trusted him to do his part as a gentleman in a thing she wished forgotten. More fused than ever, he drew back and bent low in apology, while she passed on. Half a corner and, seeing her, hastened to join her. She extended her hand; they chatted a moment, then strolled up the street together. Fairchild watched blankly. then turned at a chuckle just behind him emanating from the bearded lips of an old miner, loafing on the stone coping In front of small store.
 "Pick the wrong Ally, pardnerT" came the query. Fairchild managed to smile.
 Guess so." Then he lied quickly. q thought she was girl from Den yer"
 Her? The old miner stretched Nope That's Anita Richmond, old Judge Richmond's daughter. Guess she must hev been expecting that young fellow-or she wouldn't have cut you off so short. She ain't usually that way"
 "Her fiance?" Fairchild asked the