The Holly chieftain., 1923-07-26

bout It, SamT
sounds good to me. What do you
think. Sandyf It's up to you AZ her
guardeen."
ut sure sounds good" said Sandy.
"Seems like this Mrs. Keith must be
a pritty fine woman to think Of takin'
Molly into her own home. I'd be in
clined to put It this way: II Molly
cottons to the idea. let her hop to It."
"Mirandy amt brought over the
butter yet," put In Mormon, with
glance at his partners that was half
shamefaced. "Why not git her opin-
ion7 Takes woman to understand
woman. Shed sabe this letter d
heap better'n we c'ud."
Sam winked covertly at Sandy and
showed his tongue in his cheek.
''That's good idea, Mormon" said
Sandy.
"Never did find out Jest what hap
pened to that last wife o. your'n, did
ye, Mormonr asked Sam.
.Never did"
"That'e tho bad"
"WhyY'
Central principles"
"Speakin' wide, the weddin' cake of
matrimony has been mostly mildewed
for me-" said Mormon refectively,
"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 a heap Of Molly"
opined Sam. II reckon he sure hates
to lose her, If he Is woman-shy.
Course Molly was Jest kid. But I
don't fancy she'll take the back-trail
once she gifts mixed up with the
Keith outfit"
II amt 50 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 bubbled, so near the
old prospector's grave that perhaps
the old miner lying there could. in his
new afiinities with Nature, hear its
flow, was thinking much the same
thing Mormon had expressed, hoping
1t might be true. chiding himself lest
the thought be selfish.
Memories Of Molly fiickered 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 bade
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 flivver, 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. 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 a man of young Ed
overnight" said the spinster. "He
thought 1t out all by himsef an nigh
surprised rs OF our feet. We're
plumb proud Of him.
"Mr. Westlake was over day before
yesterday" she went on. He says
things ID 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 whirlln',
reckon"
"Mebbe he'll see Molly" suggested
Sam. Though Of course she amt to
Keith's house yet"
"How's thatr' asked the splnster
eagerly.
1--WE are waitin' TO- Sandy to show
you the letter." said Sam.
T 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
fancy to Molly, mebbe she's wom-
an that likes to do kind things and
thinks Molly'll pay well 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, / ain't certain Mrs. Keith 'ud
be SO eager. guess It's all right,
but. somehow. 1t don't hit me as