Evening star., 1925-08-30
TIE BLOOD

fence then for a hundred miles, and
Burning Brush wasn't more than a
stage station. I've seen it grow-but
is now through growing. It's mans
country, Jimmie, and I've always
wanted it to be my boys country.
That's why L couldn't leave 1t, even
when she used to say that we had
plenty of money to live anywhere we
wanted. I want to live here. I want
my children TO be raised here. 1
want them to know it, and love 1t,
same as L do. You won't forget that,
will you. If anything happens to me?"
II won't forget it," The solemnity
of the plea smote him.
you're not likely to,'' Staley said.
IT guess you feel about this same as
1 do
Sure" He puffed at his cigaret,
his feelings toward the
place as Staley relapsed into silence.
Yes, he did love it, he realized. with
an understanding which explained
Staley's attitude. If he ever had a
boy, he'd want him to grow up here.
And if he ever had a wife who wanted
to go back to Iowa-words failed him
at the thought of Lefty committed to
such heresy, but thought failed him
at memory of Lefty. She wanted him
to change, did she? Well. he wouldn't.
He fell into fitful slumber as he sat
with Staley and dreamed of Lefty. He
awoke to other dreams of Lefty, only
to come out of them with a smolder-
ing resentment against her desire to
make him over. Why wouldn't she
take men as they came?
THE resentment grew Through the
l. next day, and he went back to his
ranch in the valley after Mrs. Staley's
funeral without making any attempt
to see Lefty. Little Ben and Jessie
were to stay at his mothers until
Staley returned from Iowa, where he
was taking his wifeS body. BY Thurs
day night Jimmie Braden had con
vinced himself that it was his solici-
tude over the old lady's unwonted re-
sponsibility which took him back to
town. After n romp with the chill
dren, however, he boldly set out to
Carlin's.
Lefty, opening the door for him. did
not conceal her surprise at his coming,
but gave look which emphasized the
of informal speech be-
fore her family.
Ma wants you I'd take a look at
Jessie Staley," he lied swiftly.
She laughed as she came out on the
walk.
Now tell me the trnth," she com
manded
Il just wanted to see you"
For what?'
For what does fellow usually
want to see a girl2"
"Oh, Jimmie There was pleading
under the laughter of Der tone Il
thought you'd made your decision Sat
urday night when you went to the
Purple Parrot
well. you didn't give me any en-
to stay away from there,
did your"
Don't you see." she said. that I
can't give you anything until you've
taken the first steps for yesIrself?'
What steps,"
"Oh, what's the use of going over
it? Responsibility, of course
m trying to take the response
billty for you. Don't you love me a
little bit, Lefty? 1 thought
Il don't know" she said miserably.
Il like TO be with you and I'm un-
happy when l don't see you, but |
don't know if 1 can trust you, Jimmie,
dear. You see, you've never had to
be responsible for anything. Your
father looked out for your mother, and
he left YOU the ranch, and so you've
things as they came. You're 500
gay. Her voice ran intD little sob.
You're not holding that against
me, are you?'
Not exactly" she said. But
don't know if you can be anything
else
Nobody can tell till he's been tried.
What do you want me to do?"
Il don't know. and 1 couldn't trust
to you, to any one, until l
was sure"
"Of what?'
She faced him almost defiantlv.
her young eyes as somber as her
young cheeks were scarlet. II want TO
know" she said. that the man l
marry will take care of our children
right if anything ever happened to
me. That's what I dont know about
you, Jimmie
Wen, there's only one way to find
out" he told her.
You joke about everything" she
sobbed. There isn't anything sacred
to you. That's the answer, isn't 1t?
No, you needn't say anything more
to me-
"Oh. Lefty, have a heart"
Don't talk to me- she stormed.
II should have known better than
taken you seriously. Well L won't
again. Don't touch me. I'm going
home. and you needn't come after
me-"
II won't" he said grimly, the fun
gone from his eyes If you cared
for me at all. you'd know you could
trust me. That's what love is. And
if you can't" he started after her
Now I will raise the lid." he prom
ised himself.
LIE was diverted, however, from his
full intention by the circum-
stance that Thursday night was a
bad night for lid-lifting in Burning
Bush. He was wandering around In
search Of a kindred spirit when he
met one Of the Double Y outfit. 1--WE
just been listening to old Cronkrite.'
that worthy Of the saddle told him.
He says he's going to get the law on
Ben Staley as soon as he gets in from
Iowa.
For what?''
He says Staley cheated him out of
that land near the Five Forks"
He didn't. He paid him what he
asked
THE old man says he didn't know
what it was worth, and that Staley
did"
That's no crime
mo, If he's a friend of yours,