The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1923-05-31

Molly into her own home. I'D be in
c'ined to put II this way: II Molly
cottons TO the idea, let her hop To H."
"Mirandy amt brought over the
butter yet" put In Mormon, with a
glance at his partners that was half
shamefaced. why not git her op'n-
ionf Takes n woman to understand
a woman. Shed sabe this letter a
heap better'n we c'ud."
Sam winked ~covertly at Sandy and
showed his tongue in his cheek.
THAT'S a good idea, Mormon" said
Sandy.
Never did find out Jest what hap
pened to that last wife o your'n, did
We, Mormon?" asked Sam.
"Never did"
That's toe bad"
why"
"Gen'ral principles"
"Speakin' wide. the weddIn' cake of
matrimony has been mostly widowed
for me-" said Mormon rehectively,
but I've allus had an affinity TO the
sex. ! amt like Sandy. Nature give
him an instinct ag'in' 'em, as pard-
ners. He was BON lucky"
But Sandy had gone out. Sam and
Mormon trailed him and saw him
walking toward the cottonwood grove
with Grit at his heels.
HE thinks n heap of Molly"
opined Sam. 81 reckon he sure hates
to lose her, If he is woman-Shy.
Course Molly was jes: a 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. "MoIly's bon an
bred with the West in her blood.
She'll allus hear the call of the rargn:
like a colt that's stepped wild. He'll
drink at the tank, hut he amt for
gettin' the water-hole."
Sandy. under the cottOnwOodS
where the spring bubbled. so near the
old p~rospertor's grave that perhaps
the old miner lying there could. in his
new aflinities with Nature, hear its
flow, was thinking much the same
thing Mormon had expressed. hoping
II might he true, chiding 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 a recollection that
was freshest of all. one he had no
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 a child, there had been a magic
in II that had thrilled some chord in
Sandy that still responded to that re-
membrance.
Miranda, alone In the %fllvver, a 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 more
glittering offers of stock. Ii 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.
aft CfIrn mQhn q nnop ~ O,,n Ia
overnight" said tie spinster. "He
thought II out all by himself an nigh
surprised us off our feet. We're
plumb proud of him.
"Mr. Westlake was over day before
yesterday" she went on. He saws
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"
"alebbe he'll see Molly" suggested
Sam. Though of course she amt to
Keith's house yet"
Flows that?" asked the splnster
eagerly.
"We are waitin' TO Sandy to show
you the letter" said Sam.
Miranda read the letter through
twice, folded 1t and held Il In her lap
for a few moments. Then:
81 don't rightly git the motive back
Of this writin'. II amt been sent
without one. Mebbe she's Just taken
a fancy to Molly. mehhe she's a wom-
al that likes to do kind things and
thinks Molly'M pay wei for beln'
taken up. ! don't mean in money.
but, II Molly didn't have a show OF
beln' rich. an warn't pritty, which
she Is. ! amt certain Mrs. Keith 'ud
be so ager. l guess It's all right.
but, somehow. II don't hit me as
plumb sincere"
you'd vote ae'in it?" as,ed Sandy.
"No-o. | w'udn't."
II fggered on putin II up to Molly"
That's a good idee. An. as her
~guardeen. I'd suggest that Mrs.
Keith lives up to that h~alf-promlse of
hers an make II a. condition she
brings Molly out here inside Of six
months. That1l give time for a fair
trial an Q ri see right then To-
yoreseif hoy It's workin'."
THAT'S a plumb nne idee." said
Mormon. looking triumph, ntly at his
partners.
II ran With Sandy's OWL wishes and