The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-08-19
CHAPTER III. Tha HnnfroSS

"Yes. Lunch!"
 She smiled mischievous1y at his ex pression.
 | Lunch ?' he repeated.
 'Yes. It must be quite late, and am getting hungry"
 He smiled upon her suddenly | ''Tu take you all to my shack ant rouse out Joe to fix up something t, eat. We'll say nothing to the others We'll just lead the way to my place. And then, they rode on in silence. No woman had ever set foot insid, 1 is shack. So this was his first req 1 festivity-this Luncheon to Loral Waripg.
 When they came to the foot, of tn. narrow trail that led to his door, h, turned to her eagerly and swung of his hat
 ''If you'll wait here for the others he said, "Pn ride ahead and see wha Joe can do. This is as far as the stage can go, anyway. They'll have te get down and walk from here."
 Very far?" asked Lorah
 "No."
 "Good enough, them" said she Don't put yourself out too much don't go to too much trouble.''
 Bolt rose in his stirrups and waved and went galloping off gaily up the mountain.
 As he neared the top, he whistred shrilly, and in immediate response. a huge dog came flying to meet him, barking in eager greeting. Then man and horse and dog disappeared over the brow of the hill And Lorah Waring turned to wait for the rest of her party.
 'Alone?' called Mrs. Patterson curiously, as the old stage halted and the passengers discovered Mrs War ing sitting motionless upon her horse.
 Where's the guide?'' asked MT. Sears.
 ''Pve sent him on ahead to notify his cook that we are all going to lunch at his shack" announced Lorah. And I'm starving.'
 "so am T." declared Patterson Where is this precious snack?"
 Up in the mountain," answered Lorah. "The stage can't make it. so you'M all have to walk. But he says it isn't far''
 Which way?" asked Sears.
 Straight ahead. Clear the way and I'll blaze the trail"
 Lorah set off at a canter. At the top, she brought up suddenly before the door of Bolts cabin and stopped to pat the head of the dog who came barking out to meet her. She swung herself off just as John Bolt threw open the door and stepped out
 "Welcome!" he cried hospita ablv. "rll take your horse Come in out of the glareI"
 Gladly" agreed Lorah. examining the rude wooden hut curiously.
 Wel1?" asked John Bolt from the doorway as the girls eyes came back to him.
 She was standing near the center of the room, a strange contrast to her surroundings, in her smart suit of dark blue, soft silk blouse and iaunty white hat.
 Its extraordinary" she told him. simply incredible! This is where you live? This is how you liver"
 Yes." he answered simply.
 And you've lived Hike this for years?''
 Yes" She shook her head and shrugged her shoulders helpIessly.
 It would kill mel" she said. "wha+ makes you stay here? Tell me that," Why shouldn't I stay here?" he asked, puzzled. "I was born and reared here. My work lies here. And Us really comfortable enough" Comfortable" she repeated aghast.
 He smiled. Men don't require the same sort of comforts that women do," he ex- olained.
 But are you happy here?"
 He hesitated, his eyes shadowv with the question
 I've never even thought of going elsewhere" he answered at last. .I've never stopped to ask myself whether I'm happy or not.''
 'For Heavens sake" she cried come East where you can live, The precious years of your youth you are throwing away here. Twenty-six years you have wasted in this hole. Why do you do it? Why?" T never stopped to think of it that way" he answered..
 Then it's time you did," said Mrs. You have been behaving ike gold-digging machine, unless Inless there is someone holding VOL, lere,"- she ended, after a pause.
 There is no one here who matters" le said. "Never?" she asked curious1y. Cook ng al him. The light in her deep-gray eyes made the blood beat in fhs femn1es md he could feel his heart sallopinp.
 Never" he repeated
 The next minute the otbers rooping in.