The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-06-20

That word "again" stuck in his con-
seriousness.
you've known me all along" he
charged.
"Of course I've known you-knew
you when you stood on the steps after
you had tied the janitor."
II knew you, too?"
"Why didn't you say so?'
| did you expect me to make that
grandstand play on the 'parada'
claim on yore kindness? didn't do
thing for you that day any man
wouldn't have done. 1 happened to
be the lucky fellow that got the chance.
That's all. Come to that, it was up
to you to do the recognizing If any
was done. 1t had worked out that you
didn't know me, but once or twice from
things you said almost thought you
did"
II meant to tell you some time, but
well. wanted to see how long you
could keep from telling me. Now you've
J done it again"
| I'D like to ride with you the rest
of yOre life" he said unexpectedly.
They trembled on the edge of self
revelation. 1t was the girl who res
cued them from the expression Of their
emotions. - = '':<-'|f'
"I'lI speak to Clary about it. Maybe
he'll take you on as a groom" she said
with surface lightness;@
AS soon as they reached home Bea-
trice led the way into the library
Bromtield was sitting there with her
father. They were talking over plans
for the annual election Of officers of
! the Bird Cage Mining company. Whit
ford was the largest stakeholder and
Bromfield owned the next biggest
block. They controlled it between
them.
dad, Rob Roy bolted and Mr.. Lind
say stopped him before was thrown"
Whitford rose, the color ebbAag from
his cheeks. 1--WE always told you that
brute was dangerous. I'll offer him
for sale today"
"And I've discovered that we know
the man who saved me from the wild
steer in Arizona. 1t was. Mr. Lindsay"
'Lindsay!" Whltford turned to him.
rs that right?"
ITS correct"
Colin WhitfOrd, much moved, put a
hand on the younger mans shoulder.
'Son, you know What I'd like to tell
you. reckon 1 can't say it right"
well consider it said, Mr.. Whit
ford" answered Clay with his quick,
boyish smile. mo use in spillin' lot
Of dictionary words.
"Why didn't you tell Ms?''
ut was nOthin' to bragg about"
Bromfield came to time with thin
words Of thanks. "We're all greatly
In your debt, Mr.. Lindsay"
AS the days passed, the malicious
jealousy of the New York clubman
deepened to Il steady hatred. A fellow
of Uncontrolled temper. his thin
skinned vanity writhed at the condi-
ton which confronted him. He was
engaged to Il girl who preferred an
other and better man, one against
whom he had an unalterable .grudge.
He recognized in the westerner an
eager energy, cleAn-cut residence,
and an Astounding vitality he would
have given a great deal to possess.
His own early manhood had been fritz
tered away in futile designations and
he resented bitterly the contrast be-
tween himself and Lindsay that must
continually be present in the mind OF
the girl who had promised to marry
him. File had many adventurous things
to offer her---such advantages as mod
ern civilization las made desirable to
dollhouse women-but he could not
give the clean. splendid youth she
craved. It was the price he had paid
for many sybaritlc pleasures he had
been too soft to deny himself.
With only little more than two
weeks Of freedom before her, Beatrice
made the most Of her days. For the
first time in her life she became
creature of moods. The dominant ones
were rebellion, recklessness and re-
pentance. While Bromfield waited and
fumed she rode and tramped with
Clay. 1t was not: fair to her afiianced
lover. She knew'that. But there were
times when she wanted to shrek as
dressmakers and costumers fused
over her and wore out her tangled
nerves with multitudinous details.
The same hysteria welled up In her
occasionally Mt the luncheons and din
ners that were being given in honor Of.
her approaching marriage !.
1t was not logical, Of course, She
was moving toward the destiny she
had chosen for herself But there was
an instinct In her, savage and primi.
tive. to hurt Bromfeld because she
herself was suffering. In the privacy
of her room she passed hours Of tear
full regret for these bursts Of fierce
insurrectiOn.
Ten days before the wedding Bea-
trice wounded his vanity .flagrantly.
Clarendon was giving an informal tea
for her at his rooms. Half an hour
before the time set. Beatrice got him
| on the wire and eyDlained that her