St. Tammany farmer., 1922-06-10

"a short engagement" he ventured.
"Yes," she nodded. "And take me
away for while. I'm tired Of New
York, think"
iii take you to place where the
paths are primrose-strewn and where
nightingales sing" he promised, rashly.
She smiled incredulously, wise old
young face.
The report Of the engagement spread
at once. Bromfield took care of that.
The evening Of the day the Runt heard
Of the engagement he told his friend
about it while Kitty was in the
kitchen.
Miss Beatrice she's wearin' a new
ring" he said by way Of breaking the
news gently. r-.-.s am...
Clay turned his head slowly and
looked at Johnnie 7
"Bromfield?" he asked. -.
yep. That's the story
1.-THE ring was on the left handr
"Yep.'
Clay made no comment. His friend
knew enough to say no more to him.
Presently the cattleman went out. It
was in the small hours Of the morning
when he returned. He had been
tramring the streets to get the fever
out Of his blood:
But Johnnie discussed with Kitty at
length this new development, just as
ho bo3 f}ioouScor3 with hor tho fact tho +
Clay no longer went to see the Whit
fords. Kitty made a shrewd guess at
the cause Of division. She had already
long since drawn from the cowpuncher
the story of how Miss Beatrice had re-
jected his proposal that she take an
interest in her. ..-
'"They must "a quarreled-likely
about me being here. I'm sorry yoA
told her"
II don't reckon that's it. Miss Bea-
trice she's got too good judgment for
that"
Il ought to 60 away. I'm only bring
ing Mr., Lindsay trouble. If he Just
could hear from his friends In Arizona
about that place he's trying to get me,
I'd 60 right off,"
He looked at her wistfully. Kitty
had begun to bloom again. Her cheeks
were taking on their old rounded con-
tour and occasionally dimples Of de-
light flashed into them. Already the
marss of her six-weeks' misery among
the submerged derelicts Of the city
was beginning to be wiped from her
mind like the memory Of bad dream
from which she had awakened. Love
was craving Of her happy, sensuous
nature. She wanted to live IN the sun
among smiles and laughter. She was
like kitten in her desire to be petted,
made much of and admired. Almost
anybody who liked her could win
place in her affection.
Johnnie's case was not so hopeless
as he imagined it.
Over their goodnight smoke Clay
gave a warning. keep yore eyes
open. Johnnie. l was trnilcd to the
house today by one Of the fellows with
Durund the night called on him. 1t
spells trouble. l reckon the 'Paches
are going to leave the reservation
again.
Say, Clay, amt you gettin' home
sick for the whinln' OF a raWhlde7
Wha's the matter with us hittin' the
dust for good old Tucson? I'd sure
like to chase cowtails again.
"You can 60, Johnnie. I'm not ready
yet-quite. And when l go 1t won't
be because of any rattlesnake In the
grass" !"
"Whadyou mean can go? II this
Jerry Durand's trying to get you ~
be there followin' yore dust, old scout.
There's more than one way to skin
a cat. Mebbe the fellow means 20
strike at me through you or NIFTY.
I've a mind to put you bHth on tral1
for the B-in-a-Box ranch.
"You can put the lfl' girl on tram.
You can't put me on none less'n you
20 too" answered his shadow, stoutly.
'Then see you don't get drawn INTO
any ouarrels while you and Kitty are
avay from the house. Stick to the
lighted streets. think I'll speak to
her about not lettin' any strange man
talk to her, l think she had better not