St. Tammany farmer., 1922-07-01

#''e7a'''r = r'
Her Troubled Smile, Grave and Sweet
Touched Him Closely.
muf1er open. The horse upon which
Beatrice rode was a young one. II
gave instant signals Of alarm, went
sunflshing on It's hind legs, came down
to all fours, and bolted.
Beatrice kept her head. She put her
weight on the reins with all the grip
Of her small. strong hands. But the
horse had the bit in its teeth. She
felt herself helpless, flying wildly down
the road at incredible speed. Bushes
and trees, the reeling road, a limousine,
a mounted policeman, all few by her
with blurred detail.
She became aware Of the rapid thud
Of hoofs Behind, Of figure beside her
riding knee to knee, Of a brown hand
taking hold Of there! close to the bit,
The speed slnckened, The horses
pounded tosa halt. 4z5&s.s>
The girl found herself trembling.
She leaned back in haze Of dizziness
against an arm which circled her
shoulder and waist Memory leaped
across the years to that other time
when she had rested in his arms, his
heart beating against hers. In that
moment OF deep understanding of her
self, Beatrice knew the truth beyond
any doubt. A new heaven and new
earth were waiting for her, but she
could not enter them. For she herself
had closed the gate and locked it fast.
His low voice soothed and comforted
her.
I'm all right" she told him.
Clay withdrew his arm. ".Id report
that fellow II l had his number" he
said. You stick to yore saddle fine.
You're one straight-up rider"
"Tll ask Mr.. Bromfield to give you
nifty dollars again." she laughed nerv-
ously. .
& That word "'again'' stuck in his con
sciousness.
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, too2''
''Why didn't you say so7''
''Did you expect me to make that
play on the 'parada' d
claim on yore kindness? didn't do a
thing for you that day any man
have doner.I happened to
be the lucky fellow that got the chance
That's all Come to that, 1t 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,
r meant to tell you some time, but
well. I wanted to see how long you
could keep from telling me. Now you've
lone 1t again"
"1'd like to ride with you the rest
" yore life,," he said Unexpectedly.
They trembled on the edge Of self
revelation. 1t was the girl who res
:ued them from the expression Of their
emotions.
''I'll speak to Clary about it. Maybe
le'll take you on as groom she said
With surface lightness.
As soon as. they reached home Bea-
rice led the way into the library.
3romf1eld was sitting there with her
'ather. They were talking over plans
or the annual election Of officers of
he Bird Cage Mining company. Whit
ord was the largest stockholder and
3romfleld owned the next biggest
lock. They controlled 1t between
hem.
dad, Rob Roy bolted and Mr.. Lind
ay stopped him before was thrown"
Whitford rose, the color ebbing from |
IFS cheeks. I've always told you that |
|rute was dangerous. I'll offer him |
or sale today
"And I've discovered that we know
he man who saved me from the wild |
teer II, Arizona 1t was Mr. Lindsay"
Lindsay !! Whitford turned to him.
In tlint rigllt7'
s1t's correct"
Colin Whitford, much moved, put
and on the younger mans shoulder.
Son, you know what I'd like to tell |
ou. reckon l can't say 1t right
We'll consider it said, Mr.. Whit
ord" answered Clay with his quick,
oyish SMILE ''No use in spillin' lot
t dictionary words =s5=s.
Why didn't you tell us7''
1T was nothin' to brag about"
Bromfield came to time with thin
lords Of thanks. "We're all greatly
4 your debt, Mr. Lindsay"
AS the days passed the malicious
ealousy of the New York clubman
eepened to a steady hatred. A fellow
+ Uncontrolled temper, his thin
kinned vanity writhed at the condi-
lon. which confronted him. He. was
ngaged to girl who preferred an-
ther and better man, one against
HON he had m unalterable grudge.
Le recognized In the Westerner an
ager energy, clean-cut resilieDce,
nd an abounding vitality he would
ave given q great deal to possess.
lis own parfv ma p}1nOd Ind hnpn frlf.