The Snowflake herald., 1923-06-08

through him, charging him as II with
an electric current that strove TO
close all gaps between him and Molly,
struggling ever, In mind and body, to-
complete the circle.
They got to the ranch ahead or the
1ivver by a scant margin. Miranda
Bailey indicted Molly and her chap
eron governess into the quarters she
had helped prepare for them. Molly
giving little cries Of delight at the
improvements she saw downstairs.
Miranda came down first and joined
the partners.
Molly is certainly sweet" she said
She's grown into a woman an she's
grown away from the old Molly.
Can't say as how she's affected none
an her speech an manners is sure
fine. That gels natcherally got
grand disposition.
''The Nicholson persOn-her first
name is Clarice---is well-meanin
enough She amt shifless. but she
amt what you'd call practical l
reckon she does fine in teachin' Molly
some things, but she'd be plumb
wasted out west I'll say she never
washed out anything bigger than o
hankychif or cooked thing larger'n
an egg. An she c'udn't boss sick
lizard. But she's easy TO git alone
with, suppose.
"That Donald is a good lookin' lad.
went on Miranda. sit must take him
n cfo Af m fiy II
clothes every time he puts 'em on.
don't know how smart Ire, is inside.
but he's got some of them movn'-
picture heroes beat on appearance
I'm wonderin' what Molly thinks
about him. As for his father. he's
smart enough inside an out. But he
talks too much like a politician Re
suit me. I'm mighty glad we got casl
for our claims. Keth's too slick an
smooth an smilin TO suit me-
1t was lengthy diatribe from Mi
randa Bailey, accustomed as they
were to hear her state opinions freely
The trio at Three Star had univer
sally come to respect her decisions
md ela" boz isatuitivaa-, and norav o.
toward Keith rs a man. though the,
considered him good in his profession
"The writer, Kiplin',' said Sandy
wrote a poem about East an West
sayin' that never the two c'ud meet
EFF Keith tries to faujigger Molly out
OF anything that's comm to her b,
rights, why. | reckon that's one time
the West an East Is eoin to meet
an mebbe lap over bit So fur. he's
put money in our pockets Here's
Molly ;"
I'm gOin' home" said Miranda. a.
the girl entered The room. give GOT
You started nm I'll run over 0nce If
a while to see how Pedro is maxim
out"
She said good-by to Molly. who ha6
swiftly changed out OF her riding
clothes into gown that looked.
simple enough 10 Sandy. though h
SenSed there were touches about II
that differentiated 1t from anvth'nc
turned out locally With the dress
she looked more womanly older than
In the boyish breeches. Miss Nichol-
son had made some changes also. buI
she had q chameleon-like faculty of
blending with the background that
preserved her alike from being critj
cized or conspicuous. AS she shook
hands with Miranda the two present
ed marked contrasts. Miranda was
notwithstanding western. of equal
rights and equal enterprise Miss
Nicholson mid-Victorian. with no more
use for vote than for one of Sandy's
guns. Yet likable.
I'm going to Daddy's grave" said
Molly, when Miranda had tliyvered
or. Il wish the three of you would
come there TO me in about ten min
utes. Miss Nicholson, everybody's Al
nome here. Please do anything Won
want to- nothing you don't want to-.
AT the end of the ten minutes the
three men walked together toward
the eottonwOods. Grit was lying on
the grave, and they saw Molly kneel
Ing by the little railing. They ad.
vanced silently over the turf and
stood IN group about her with their
hats off and their heads bowed Crit
made no move and Molly did not look
mp for two or three minutes. Then
she greeted them with smile. There
were no tear-signs on her face though
her eyes were moist.
I wanted to thank you ALL" she
said, and to tell you how glad I am
to be back. have met lots of people
OF all sorts and kinds. but not one of
them who could hold a candle to any of
you three kind, true-hearted friends
| wanted to do 1t here where Daddy
Is In the place you gave him and
made FOR him under the trees, close
20 me running water I was only
glri-a kiddie-when went away.
thlhK ! am great deal older now
perhaps. than other girls of my age
Ana : realize all you have done for
me. The only thing Is. don't know