St. Tammany farmer., 1922-07-01

His daughter and the Arizonan liz
| tened without comment.
I've always thought I'd like to ex
plain to that young man didn't NEAR
70 Insult him by offering money fOl
saving Bee. But >you see he dfdn't
give me any chanca I never did learr
his nan,e," concluded the mining man
"And Of course we'd like him tc
know that we appreciate what he die
Tor. me-" Beatrice added. She looked
at Clay, and a pulse beat In her soft
throat.
Il reckon he knows that" Lindsay
suggested. You must "a thought him
mighty rude for to break away like
you say he did,"
We couldn't understand 1t till after
ward. Mr.. Brolnfleld had slipped him
ffty-dollar bin and naturally he re-
sented IT." Miss Whitford's face bub-
bled with reminiscent mirth. She
looked a question at Clay. "What do
you suppose that impudent young seal
awag did with the fifty?"
SCOT drunk on 1t most likely"
He fed It to his horse. Clary was
furious"
HE would be-" said the cattleman
dryly, In spite Of the best intentfons to
be- generous to his successful rival
but ! reckon I know. why pore grand
stand friend In chaps pulled such a
play. In Arizona you can't square
such things with money. SO far as
can make out the puncher didn't do
anything to write home about. but he
didn't want pay for Il anyhow"
IOf course, Bromneld doesn't un-
derstand the West" said Whitford.
Il wouldn't like that young puncher
half so well II he'd taken the money"
He didn't need to spoil a perfectly
good f1fty-dollar bill, though" admitted
Clay.
YES 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"
1T happened In your corner Of Ar
izona, Lindsay. II you ever find out
who the chap was wish you'd let us
know" Whitford said.
tI'll remember"
If you young people are going rid
ing.
Wed better get started. Quite
right, Dad We're on. Clarendon will
probably call up. Tell him I'll be In
about four-thirty."
She pinched her fathers ear, 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-
vations now. The shadow Of Clarendon
Brom1eld rode between them. They
were little stiff with each other, not
so casual as they had been. A con-
seiousness Of sex had obtruded into
the old boyish camaraderie.
After a brisk canter they drew their
horses together for a walk.
Beatrice broke the ice Of their CON-
She looked directly at
him, her cheeks flushing. II don't
know how you're going to forgive me,
Clay. I've been awfly small and prig-
gish., I hate to think I'm ungenerous,
but that's just what I've been.s
Lets forget It." he said gently.
"No, don't want to forget-not TIL
I've told you how humble feel today.
I might have trusted you. Why didn't
II It would have been easy for me
to have taken your little friend In and
made things right for her. That's
what / ought to have done. But. 10
stead Of that-Oh. hate myself for
the way acted"
Her troubled smile, grave and sweet,
touched him closely. 1t was In his |
horoscope that the spell Of this young |
Diana must be upon him.
He put his hand ON hers as It rested |
N the pommel Of the saddle and gave
L slight pressure. You're good
scout, LII pardner."
But 1t was Beatrice's way to step
ID to punishment and take what was |
coming. AS little girl. while still a.
most a baby, she had once walked up
o her mother, eyes flashing with spir-
t, and pronounced judgment on her
,elf. .Tve tum to be spanked. broke
Jlaire's doll an I'm glad Of It. mean
Nd fi1.g. So there r. Now she was not
soing to let the subject drop until she
lad freed her soul.
mo, Clay, I've been a poor sports
nan. When my friend needed me
allied him. It hurts me, because-oh,
you know. When the test came I
wasn't there One hates to be quit
er.."
TIer. humility distressed him, though
.s loved the spirit of her apology.
"It's Ill right, Zee. Don't you war.
y. All friends misunderstood each
,ther, but tie real ones clear things
Ip.
She had not yet told him the whole
ruth and she meant to make clean
onfession.
1--WE been miserable little fool"
The stopped with little cntch Of the
reath. famed red, and plunged on.
Ter level eyes never f1inci,ed from his.
I've got to out with 1t, Clay. You
pon't misunderstood. know. was
ealous. wanted TO keep your friend
hip to myself want to share
E,,.f4l,. rat har s,ir rChnf,a hf,,r mean