The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1923-03-01

The bridegroom said he was nue.
obliged and he would be plumb tickie'
to take message to Clay.
When Clay read the note his blOo'
glowed. II was a characteristic two
line apology:
I've been a horrid little prig. Clay e.
the letter RAM. Won't you come owe
tomorrow and go riding with me?
BEATRICE.
Colin Whitford had been tellin,
Clay the story of how n young cow
puncher had snatched Beatrice from
under the hoOfs of a charging steer
Ills daughter and the Arizonan lis
tened without comment.
"Pve always thought I'd like to ex
plum to that young man didn't near
to insult him by offering money fol-
saving Bee. But you see he didn't
give me any chance. I never did learn
his nnme," concluded the mining man
"And OF course we'd like him to
know that we appreciate what he did
for me-" Beatrice added. She look ed
at Clay, and pulse beat In her sOf,
throat.
II reckon he knows that" Lindsay
! suggested. you must a thought him
mighty rude for to break away like
you say he did"
1--WE couldn't understand II till after
ward. Mr.. Bromfield had slipped him
a tifty-dollar bill and naturally he re-
scented It," Miss WhitfOrd's face bub
bled with reminiscent mirth. She
looked n question at Clay. "What de-
you suppose that impudent young seal
awag did with the fiftyT
SCOT drunk on It most likely"
"He fed 1t to his horse. Clary was
furious"
"He would be-" snid the cattleman
dryly, In spite of the best Intentions to
be generous to his successful rival
but reckon know why yore grand
stand friend In chaps pulled such a
play. In Arizona you can't square
such things with money. So far as I
can make out the puncher didn't do
anything to write home about, but he
didn't want pay for It anyhow"
"Of course, Bromfield doesn't I'M
derstand the West" said whitford.
II wouldn't like that young puncher
half so well II he'd taken the money"
"He didn't need to spoil u perfectly
good fifty-dollar bill, though" admitted
Clay.
"Yes, he did," denied Beatrice
THAT was his protest against Claren-
don's misjudgment of him. I've alwars
thought 1t perfectly splendid in Its
insolence. Some day I'm going to tell
him So"
ut happened In your corner of Ar.
iona. Lindsay. II you ever find out
who the chap was wish you'd let us
know" Whitford said.
"Tll remember"
''If you young people are going rid.
ing"
Wed better get started. Quite
right, Dad. We're Off. Clarendon will
probably call up. Tell him I'll be In
about four-thirty."
She pinched her fathers ear, kissed
him on one rudy cheek. then on the
other, and Joined Clay Mt the door.
They were friends again. had beer
for almost half an hour, even though
they had not yet been alone together
but their friendship was to hold reser
vations now. The shadow of Clarendon
Bromfield rode between them. The,
were little stiff with each other moi
so casual as they had been. A con
seriousness Of sex had obtruded int,
the old boyish camaraderie.
After a brisk canter they drew theii
horses together for walk
Beatrice broke the Ice Of their com
monplaces. She looked directly n,
him. her cheeks flushing. 81 dom
know how you're going to forgive me
Clay. I've been awf'ly small and prig
gish. ! hate to think I'm ungenerous
but that's just what I've been"
Lets forget it." he said gently.
mo. ! don't want to forget-not I'll
I've told you how humble feel today
! might have trusted you. Why didn',
l? II would have been easy for me
to have taken your little friend in ant
made things right for her. That's
what | ought to have done. But, in
stead of that-Oh. hate myself foI
the way acted"
Her troubled smile, grave and sweet
touched him closely. II was In mis-
horoscope that the spell of this young
Diana must be upon him.
He put his hand on hers as II restet
on the pommel of the saddle and gave
II a slight pressure. You're a good
scout. li'r pardner."
But 1t was Beatrlce's way to ster
up to punishment and take what was
coming. AS little girl. while still al
most baby. she had once walked ur
to her mother. eyes flashing with srir
IT, and pronounced judgment OH her
self. 1--WE tum to be spanked. broke
Clalre's doll an TIN glad OF 1t. mean
old fling. SO there!" Now she was moi
going to let the subject drop until she
had freed her soul.
mo. Clay. I've been poor sports.
man. When my friend needed me
failed him. II hurts me. because-oh
you know When the tea cime ]