The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1924-11-12
n know why" said the boy.

did you mean that hOnestly?'
Honestly" he answered.
She looked up at him and put her
hand over her mouth.
L was going to say something. It
would have been mos unmaidenly,"
she remarked.
There's something in me that Will
not stay unsaid. love you" he de-
clared.
She held up her hand with a serious
lock in her eyes. Then, for a moment,
the boy returned to the world Of re-
atty.
4 am sorry. Forgive me. l ought
not to have said it," he stammered.
But didn't you really mean it?' she
asked with troubled eyes.
81 mean that and more. but | ought
not to have said 1t now 1t isn't fair.
You have just escaped from i great
danger AMI have got a notion that YOU
are in debt to me and you don't know
much about me anyhow"
She stood in his path looking Up at
him.
Jack" she whispered please say
it again"
No, it was rot gone. They were still
in the magic garden.
81 love you and ! wish this journey
could 60 on forever he said.
She stepped closer and he put his
arm around her and kissed her lips.
She ran away a few steps. Then, in
deed. they were back on the familiar
trail in the thirty-mile bush. A moose
bird was screaming at them. She
turned and said
4 wanted you 20 know, but I have
said nothing ! couldn't. I am under
a sacred promise YOU are = gentle
man and you viii not kiss me- or speak
Of love again until you have talked
with my father. It Is The custom Of
our country. But / want yOu to know
that am very happy"
Il don't know how l dared to say
end do what I did. but I couldn't help
it"
81 couldn't help It either. 1 just
Ionged to know if you dared"
The rest will be in the future-per-
haps far in the future"
His voice treInbled a little.
Not far if you come to me. but I
can watt will wait" She took his
hand as they were walking beside each
other and added: For You"
Il, too, will wait" lie answered. and
as long as I have to-"
Mrs. Hare, walking down the trail
TO meet them, had come near. Their
journey out of the wilderness had end
ed, but for each a new life had begun.
The husband and father of the two
ladies had reached the fort only an
hour or 50 ahead Of the mounted party
and preparations were being made for
an expedition to cut off the retreat OF
the Indians. He was known 70 most
Of his friends in America only as Col.
Benjamin Hare-a royal commissioner
who had come TO the colonies to in
Spect and report upon the d~efenses Of
his majesty. He wore the uniform Of
a colonel OF the Kings guard. There
IS an ola letter OF John Irons which
says that he was a splendid figure OF
a man, tall and we'll proportioned and
about forty, with dark eyes, his half
and mustache just beginning TO show
gray.
Il shall not try here to measure my
gratitude" he said to Mr.. Irons. 81
will see you tomorrow"
You me nothing" Irons an
swered. The rescue Of our wife anC
daughter is due to the r~esourceful AM
famous scOut-SOlOmOn Binkus."
Dear old rough-barked hickor,
man" the colonel exclaimed. Il hop,
TO see him soon
He went at one with his wife an,
daughter t. rooms in the fort. Tina
evening he satisfied himself as to IN.
character "r standing Of John Irons
learning th"t he vas a pair. % IF iarcu
influence AMI considerable means.
The latter family and that Of Pete
Bones were WI quartered in tent
with a part Of the Fifty-ffth regimen
then at Fort Stlnwix. Next mornin.
Jack went t. breakfast with Colon,
Hare and his wife and daughter Fl
their rooms. after which the colonel in
vited the boy 10 take a walk with hir
out to the little settlement Of NJ.
river. Jack. being Overawcd. wa
rather slow in declaring himself an
the colonel presently remarked:
You and my daughter seem to hay
!, got we'll acquainted.''
Yes. sir: but not as well as I coul
wish" Jack answered. our journe
! ended too o l love your daushte.
sir, and hope you will let me tell he
and ask her to be my wife sometime.
You are both too young" said tn
] colonel. besides you have know
each other not quite three days and
Z nave known You not as many hour
We are deeply grateful to you, but
D Is better for you and for her that tn.
matter should o he hurried. After
year has passed. if you think yOu sti
care to see each other. l will ask yo
Y TO come fO EurIo1l 7 tL:,r 80, -,