Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1922-08-17

she hesifated and then. as III with a
sudden resolution. she made her way
quickly In the direction of the port.
age.
There was a rig with two horses be
fore the factors door. Inside the door
Tom Bowyer was standing. and Molly
faced him, white to the lips. and rigid.
rive given you your answer many
times" said Molly.
Bowyer smiled. "No decision that
was ever made can't be changed" he
retorted. us It a crime to love you
to want to make you my wlfe7"
"No: but II is a crime TO persecute
me when you know you have no right
to ask me at ALL"
Tom Bowyer. who had cultivated his
RACES until they had mastered him,
could never refrain from falling into
the bully's pose when he met opposI-
ton. He slammed his fist down fierce
IN on the counter.
"I1l change your answer. Molly I" he
cried. Before ! leave this store to-
night. I'll have you at my feet. for all
your pride. DIN II. it's -FOUR pride /
want as much as YOU. | want to hum
BILE you, because there's never been
man or woman ! couldn't tame sooner
or later. LIN making you an honorable
proposal. Your fathers q dying man.
Anyone can see that. / want you. and
/ want to take care OF him for your
sake. the rest Of his days. | ask you
to be my wife. to come to Cold juno
ton with me and marry me. D'you sup
pose he could hold his job here an
other day If the company knew he's
paralyzed? I'll drive him from the
portage unless you marry me and let
him take his pension and live with
u.s."
II tell you no again :" cried Molly.
"How many times am to answer your
VIII you go now3'
He caught her by the wrists, thrust
ing his face forward into hers.
She screamed In fear. and they heard
the dragging footsteps Of the factor in
his room abexe.-The- old man felt his
way slowly down the stairs and edged
along the counter There vas fear In
his snnken eyes: but IL was anger
made him tremble.
aye go too far, Mr.. BowyerF" he
quavered. "Ye Gamma insult my girl
In my own housed 7"
"Get back to bed. you old fool!"
sReeFed Bewyer- Didn't you do your
own love-maklng?"
IF she Wilma have We | Wilma sell
herl Leave the house and do your
worstl"
III l do" answered Bowyer. "I1l do
IL. D'you mean that?. Answer me.
Mcdonald l"=
The factor sank back against the
counter and glared at him with bag
gard eyes. his gray beard brushing his
breast. Bowyer smiled triumphantly.
sSpeak for me, Mcdonald he
jeered. Tell her why she'd better
change her mind"
The factor raised his head. "Molly,
lass" he whlmpered. Its a grand OPP
portunlty he's Offering ye. Have We no
thocht of that7 tn be a hame for We
in my old age, when 1 Gamma care Tor
ye."
Molly fixed her eyes In horror upon
Mcdonald. But Bowyer strobe between
them.
you're a fine Iove-makeri he
sneered.-"Get eHt-of the wayi9
And, fnfiamed almost to madness, he
seized Molly In his arms and pressed
his lips TO her cheek and throat again
and again.
'I guess you're not so coy as you pre-
tend, Molly" he cried. "You women
are all alike, after all. l never knew
one yet that wasn't In a hurry to get
hitched up, however much she pretend
ed TO dislike IT,"
The opening of the door behind him
made him start. Kitty stood there, and
II was quite clear that she had been a
spectator OF the scene. With a stran-
gled cry Molly broke from Bowyer's
grasp and ran into her room. she
dragged her bed against the door and
stood behind Ii, sobbing with terror
and anger. The factor leaned against
the counter, a look OF dull apathy on
his face. Bowyer turned sheepishly to
Kitty.
"well, I guess you caught me this
time, Mrs. Bostock," he said. "But, be-
ing a woman, you'll understand"
Kitty's disgust for Bowyer held her
silent. she made the slightest gesture
of her head TO him and went out OF the
store. Bowyer followed her.
"what does It meang' asked Kitty.
1T means that ! want Molly McDon-
aid. and I've never want,~ any man or
woman yet that / didn't get" said
Bower. MAKE the most OF It." he
clustered. 1--WE as much right as Car
ruthers. haven't IY'
mo" said Kitty.
why haven't II"
mfr. Carruthers was first. They are
engaged"
"what's 10 stop her breaking itT
AS his agitation subsidized. Bowyer, a
keen Judge, noticed that kitty's poise
was unnatural: she seemed laboring
under some suppressed emotion. He
looked quickly into her eyes and saw
49, 40 nod haan erviur And than ha