The Holbrook news., 1922-07-28
eyes were hard and brilliant as dia

eyes were hard and brilliant as dia- mOnds.
 q was wondering when you are going to ask me again to marry you"
 Since she had given a good deal of keeping him at a reasonable distance, Bromfield was naturally surprised.
 That's certainly a leading ques- tion," he parried. What are you up to, Bee? Are you spoofing me?"
 I'm proposing to yOu," she ex- plained, with fiirt of her hand and an engaging smile toward man and girl who had just come into the Palm room. -'I don't suppose I do 1t very well, because I haven't had your experience. But I'm doing the best can"
 His lids narrowed a trifie. Do you mean that you've changed your mind ?'
 Have yOu?' she asked. quickly. with a sidelong slant of eyes at him.
 "Pm still very much at your service, Bee"
 Does that mean you still think you want me?"
 "I don't think. I know It."
 ''Then you're on," she told him with little nod. Thank you, kind sir"
 BrOmfield drew deep breath. By love, you're a good little sport, Bee. l think I'll get up and give three ring ing cheers"
 "Pf like to see you do that" she mocked.
 'Of course you know I'm the happi- est man in the world" he said, with well-ordered cOmpOsure
 You're not exactly what I'd call a rapturous lover, Clary. But Pm not. either, for that matter, so I dare say we'll hit it off very we'll"
 "Pm good deal harder hit than I've ever let on, dear girl. And I'm going to make you very happy. That's a promise"
 Nevertheless he watched her warily, behind manner of graceful eager ness A suspicious little thought was Altering through the back of his mind. What the deuce has got into the girl? has she been quarreling with that bOunder from Arizona?"
 I'm glad of that. I'll try to make you good wife, even if" She let the sentence die out unfinished.
 May I tell everybody how happy am?"
 1,o,, Iilya ba
 "A short engagement" he ventured.
 "Yes," she nodded. And take me away for while. I'm tired of New York, I think"
 "Tll take you to a place where the paths are primrOse-strewn and where nightingales sing" he promised, rashly.
 She smiled incredulously, wise old little smile that had no right on her young face. The report of the engagement spread at once. Bromfeld took care of that The evening of the day the Runt heard of the engagement he told his friend about 1t while Kitty was in the kitchen.
 Miss Beatrice she's wearin' new ring" he said by way of breaking the news gently.
 Clay turned his head slowly and looked at Johnnie. "BrOmfeld?' he asked
 Yep. That's the story"
 ''The ring was on the left hand?"
 "Yep."
 Clay made no comment. His friend knew enough to say no more to him. Presently the cattleman went out. It was in the small hours of the morning when he returned. He had been tramping the streets to get the fever out of his blood. But Johnnie discussed with Kitty at length this new development just as he had discussed with her the fact that Clay no longer went to see the Whit lords. Kitty made shrewd guess at the cause of division. She had already long since drawn from the cowpuncher the story of how Miss Beatrice had re- jected his proposal that she take an interest in her. "They must a quarreled-likely about me being here. I'm sorry you told her."
 q don't reckon that's it. Miss Bea- trice she's got too good judgment for that"
 q ought to go away. Pm only bring ing MT. Lindsay trouble. If he just