Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1922-06-02

She became aware of the rapid thuG
of hoofs behind, Of a figure beside hel
riding knee to knee, of a brown hanG
taking hold of the rein close to the bit
The speed slackened. The horses
pounded to a halt.
The girl found herself trembling
She leaned back in a 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 a 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.
Tn all right" she told him.
Clay withdrew his arm. "rd report
that fellow If l had his NUMBER" he
said. you stick to yore saddle fine.
You're one straight-up rider"
"I1l ask Mr.. Bromield to give you
fifty 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 IN the steps after
you had tied the janitor."
Il knew you, too?"
why didn't you say so?"
did you expect me to make that
g%randstand play on the 'parada' a
claim on yore kindness? 1 didn't do a
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 tt 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 nj or twice from
things you said l almost thought you
did"
81 meant to tell you some time, but
well. / wanted to see how long you
could keep from telling me. Now you've
done it again."
"Id like to ride with you the rest
of yore life" he said Unexpectedly.
They trembled on the edge of self
revelation. It was the girl who res
cued them from the expression of their
emotions.
'Ill 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.
Bromfield 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 1 wa thrown"
Whitford rose, the color ebbing from
his cheeks. 1--WE always told you that
brute was dangerous. I'll offer him
for sale today"
&1hA lAdL VIC hdON
the mar who saved me from the wild
steer In Arizona. 1t "a Mr.. Lindsay"
Lindsay" Whitford turned to him.
us that rightT'
SITS correct"
Colin Whitford, much moved, put 3
hand on the younger mans shoulder.
"Son, you know what I'd like to tell
you. l reckon I can't say it right
"We1l consider it said, Mr.. Whit
ford" answered Clay with his quick,
boyish smile. mo use in spillin' a lot
Of dictionary words"
"Why didn't you tell us?'
at was nothin' to brag about"
Bromfield came to time with a 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 a steady hatred. A fellow
of Uncontrolled temper, his thin.
skinned vanity writhed at the condi.
ton which confronted him. He was
engaged to a girl who preferred an.
other and better man, one against
whom he had an unalterable grudge
He recognized in the westerner an
eager energy, a ~clean-cut residence
and an Astounding vitality he would
have given a great deal to possess
His W early manhood had been frit.
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
hin. He had many adventitious things
to offer her-such advantages as mod.
ern civilization has made desirable ia
hothouse women-but he could not
give the clean. splendid youth she