The Holbrook news., 1922-08-18

to take a message to Clay.
 When Clay read the note his blood glowed. It was a characteristic two line apology:
 I've been a horrid little pris. Clay (so the letter ran). Won't you come over tomorrow and go riding with mel
 BEATRICE. .
 Colin Whitford had been telling Clay the story of how a young cow puncher had snatched Beatrice from under the hoofs of a charging steer. His daughter and the Arizonan lis- tened without comment.
 i've always thought I'd like to ex- plain to that young man didn't mean to insult him by offering money for saving Bee. But you see he didn't give me any chance. 1 never did learn his name," concluded the mining man.
 And of course we'd like him to know that we appreciate what he did for me-" Beatrice added. She looked at Clay. and pulse beat in her soft throat.
 q 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 It till after ward. Mir. Bromfleld had slipped him a fifty-dollar bill and naturally he re- coptad it Niles yUbgtfor5,s f,oo h,,h bled with reminiscent mirth. She looked a question at Clay. What do you suppose that impudent young seal awag did with the fiftyT
 "Got drunk on 1t most likely"
 He fed 1t to his horse. Clary was furious"
 He would be-" said the cattleman dryly. in spite of the best intentions to be generous to his successful rival. But reckon know why yore grand stand friend in chaps pulled such a play. In Arizona you can't square such things with money. So far as I can make out the puncher didn't do anything to write home about, but he didn't want pay for 1t anyhow"
 "Of course, Bromfleld doesn't un- derstand the Vest" said Whitford. q wouldn't like that young puncher half so we'll If he'd taken the money"
 He didn't need to spoil a perfectly good fifty-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."
 Tt happened in your corner of Ar izona, Lindsay. If you ever find out who the chap was I wish you'd let us know" Whitford said.
 'Tll remember"
 If you young people are going rid ing"
 Wed better get started. Quite right, Dad. We're off 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 Bromfield rode between them. They were a little stiff with each other, not so casual as they had been. A con- sciousness of sex had obtruded into the old boyish camaraderie.
 After brisk canter they drew their horses together for a walk.
 Beatrice broke the ice of their com monplaces. She looked directly at him, her cheeks flushing. q don't know how you're going to forgive me, Clay. I've been awf'ly small and prig- gish. I hate to think Pm ungenerous, but that's just what I've been."
 Lets forget It." he said gently.
 ''No. don't want to forget-not till I've told you how humble feel today. I might have trusted you. Why didn't I? It would have been easy for me to have taken your little friend in and made things right for her. That's what I ought to have done. But, h. stead of that-Oh. I hate myself for the way I acted"
 Her troubled smile, grave and sweet, touched him closely. It was in his horoscope that the spell of this young Diana must be upon him.
 He put his hand on hers as it rested on the pommel of the saddle and gave 1t slight pressure. You're a good scout, li'P pardner."
 But 1t was Beatrice's way to step up to punishment and take what was coming. AS little girl. while still al- most a baby, she had once walked up to her mother, eyes flashing with spir- It. and pronounced judgment on her self. i've tum to be spanked. I broke Claire's doll an I'm glad of 1t. mean old fing. So therew Now she was not going to let the subject drop until she had freed her soul.
 "No. Clay, I've been a poor sports man. When my friend needed me I failed him. It hurts me, because-oh, you know. When the test came l