River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1923-07-19
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Copyright 1924 By ,. Allan Dunn
Continued from page 81


walking toward the cottonwood grove
with Grit at his heels.
HE thinks q heap Of Molly"
opined Sam. IT reckon he sure hates
70 lose her, II he Is w0man-shy.
Course Molly was jest kid. But
don't fancy she'll take the back-trail
once she gifts mixed up with the
Keith outfit"
II amt so plumb sure Of that" re-
turned Mormon. "Molly's BON an
bred with the West In her blood.
She'll allus hear the call Of the range.
like colt that's stepped wild. He'll
drink at the tank, but he amt for
gettin' the water-hole."
Sandy, under the cottonwoods
where the spring dubbed, so near the
old prospector's grave that perhaps
the old miner lying there could, In his
new affinities with Nature, hear its
flow, was thinking much the same
thing Mormon had expressed, hoping
1t might be true, Gliding himself lest
the thought be selfish.
Memories Of Molly flickered across
the screen of his mind: Molly beside
her father by the broken wagon,
climbing to get the cactus blossom
for his cairn; Molly at the grave;
Molly giving him the gold piece; the
wild ride across the pass and the race
for the train and recollection that
was freshest OF all, one he had not
mentioned to his partners; the touch
Of Molly's lips on his as he had babe
her goodby. The kiss had not been
that of child, there had been magic
in 1t that had thrilled some chord in
Sandy that still responded to that re-
membrance.
Miranda, alone in the fiivver, new
car Of her own, bought with money
paid by Keith for her claim, was at
the ranch house when Sandy returned.
Miranda and young Ed Bailey, accept
ing Westlake's advice, had sold for
cash, getting fifteen thousand dollars
to divide between them, refusing moro
glittering offers of stock. 1t was a
windfall well worth their endeavor
and they were amply satisfied. Young
Ed had promptly gone to agricultural
college. Miranda, Mormon and Sam
were talking about this when Sandy
came up.
ut sure made man Of yong Is
overnight" said the spinster. "de
thought 1t out all by himself an nigh
surprised us of our feet. We're
plumb proud Of him.
"Mr. Westlake was over day before
yesterday" she went on. He says
things is boomin' up to Casey Town.
There's been some good strikes, one
in the claim mex but one to ours.
Keith's goin' to start things whirlin',
! reckon"
''Mebbe he'll see Molly" suggested
Sam. Though Of course she amt to
Keith's house yet"
Flows thatY' asked the spinster
eagerly.
1--WE are waitin' TO- Sandy to show
you the letter." said Sam.
Miranda read the letter through
twice, folded 1t and held 1t In her lap
for few moments. Then:
II don't rightly git the motive back
of this writin'. 1t amt been sent
without one. Mebbe she's just taken
a fancy to Molly, mebbe she's wom-
an that likes to do kind things and
thinks Molly'll pay well for bein'
taken ND. don't mean In money,
but, If Molly didn't have show OF
bein' rich, an warn't pritty, which
she Ia, amt certain Mrs. Keith nd
be SO eager. / guess It's all right,
but, somehow, 1t don't hit me as
plumb sincere"
"You'd vote ag'in it?' asked Sandy.
moo. / w'udn't."
IT fggered on putin 1t up to Molly"
"That's good idee. An, as her
guardeen. I'd suggest that Mrs.
Keith lives up to that half-promise OF
hers an make It condition she
brings Molly out here inside OF six
months. That1l give time for fair
trial an you can see right then TO
yoreself how It's. workin'.s
"That's a plumb fine idee,' said
Mormon, looking friumphantly at his
partners.
It ran with Sandy's own wishes and
he subscribed to 1t. Sam Endorsed 1t
as well. and letter was sent east
that night, containing the provlso of
Molly's return and another that Molly
should bear all her own expenses of
tuition and living. All this to hang
upon Molly's own desire to make the
change
When MolIy's letter came there APP
peared no doubt as to her willingness.
She admitted that she had been some
times lonesome" at the school.
After that MoIly's letters were
prime events at the Three Star. She
wrote every week telling of life at
the Keiths'. Miranda made up the
quartet to read them. Molly wrote
at is full Of excitement, this life
at The Keiths'. and they are just