The Snowflake herald. [volume] (Snowflake, Ariz.) 1913-1969, 1923-05-25

80
She Wrote to the Three Star Ranch
to Sandy Bourke, Guardian of Molly
Casey.
sonally about this. Letters are such
inadequate things. But | know, from
Mr.. Keith, that you have her interests
at heart-and so have I. | shall dear
~ love to have her with me, and feel
confident from what / have seen of
her, that she will be happier in a home,
with some one. who, however poorly,
may take the place of the mother she
must have missed all these years.
LET me hear from you soon. If my
health and other matters permit,
must try TO come out with Molly be-
fore very long. Mr.. Keith has seen
this letter and approves Of my sug-
gestion TO have Molly with us.
Most sincerely yours,
"ELIZABET'H VERNON KEITH"
1t was clever letter. There were
several touches about II that almost
amounted to genius. The mother sug-
gestiOn, the need of companionship
and advice from an older woman, all
went home; though it was some time
before the trio entirely absorbed the
meaning of the glossy phrases and glib
vocabulary. The letter passed about
in silence after Sandy had read it, Sam
and Mormon blowing through the maze
of the fashionable script.
Reckon she's right" said Mormon.
"Molly's different. She had a mighty
hard time of it along with her old
man, compared to what them soft
skinned ships must have had. How
=a..xs--+-s+.- tSx.u11
think, Sandy? It's up to you as her
guardeen."
ut sure sounds good" said Sandy.
Seems like this Mrs. Keith must be
q pritty fine woman to think of takin'
Molly into her own home. I'd be in.
clined to put 1t this way: if Molly
cottons to the idea, let her hop to it,"
"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-
ion? Takes a woman to understand
woman. She'd 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, die
ye, MOrmon?" asked Sam.
"Never did,
That's too 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 fo' the
sex. l amt like Sandy. Nature give
him an instinct ag'in' 'em, as pard-
uSIS. ne was % ii
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 heap of Molly"
opined Sam. IL reckon he sure hates
to lose her, if he is woman-shy.
Course Molly was. jest 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. "Molly's BON an
breu 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. i'm his
new afiinties with Nature hear it's
flow, was thinking much the same
thing Mormon had expressed hoping
1t might he 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 a 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