White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1926-02-05
CONTINUED from Last Week.
CHAPTER 81

CHAPTER 81
Stella Wakes Sentimental
"And SO now, with father in prison,
Mr.. O.Rourke dead, and 100000 due
the bask, there is only Mr.. Taggart,
the boys, myself, and that herd out
there to save us from utter ruin"
Mary concluded tearfully. She had
been recounting her story. from the
beginning when her father rst fed
into exile, to Stella, who had gained
her entire condence.
We'll, don't worry dear, it will all
come out all right" said Stella sym
uathetically, coming over and sitting
beside Mary in the piano bench, car
essing her in motherly fashion, and
wiping away her tears. Come, child
won't you play some more music
for met will rest your tired head"
Mary turned to the piano, and her
fingers strolsed the keys lightly.
bringing forth sad, wistful notes.
"It's a song my father loves" she
said. my mother used to sing 1t
to him here-years ago."
tits lovely" said Stella with a
sentimental air. 1T stirs sweet mem
cries in me-"
Mary stopped. Then from beneath
the window of the room stole the
notes of guitar, gently strummed,
and voice lifted in the words Of
Spanish serenade.
what a romantic night" said
Stella, listening and going to the
window with Mary. The sun was
setting. They saw the serenader-
it was MIGUEL.
Suddenly Bud Hughes came up,
made wry face, and menacing MI
quel with his feet, chased him from
the window.
Eyes, but see how reality boots ro-
nance out of life," said Mary laugh
ing.
But there was a time when Bud
too, was romantic" said Stella. 'sHow
we'll / remember"
She was interrupted by the en-
trance of Bud himself. He was req
splendent in natty new clothes, his
boots shining, his hair plastered
down, and his beard shaved off COM
pletely. He smiled and winked to
Stella to call attention to the trans
formation.
''The steers are all in the corral,
Miss Mary-ready for tomorrow's
drive" Bud reported.
you look like old times, Bud"
cried Stella.
He looked at her wistfully, and said,
| wish l felt like old times"
Mary gave Bud his instructions.
Stella fingered near the open window,
| leaned out, and saw sneaking up
Buck Mcleod. She furtively took a
prepared note from her waist, and
casually dropped 1t out the window.
Buck, below, catching it, read, in
a hasty glance:
after nightfall when I drop my
handkerchief the way will be clear"
Then, unobserved, he sneeaked
dack the way he had come, and dis
appeared.
Stellas acted sentimental mood
continued that evening after she and
Mary had finished dinner.
What wonderful night it is, y
she exclaimed, coming to Mary. 1T
reminds me of so much-you know,
Mary, it was just such night as this
that Bud-Mr. Hughes-and l quit
the circus. The moon was"
| Mary, smiling, lifted coquettishly
reproving finger, and said,
Stella, Stella-I think you're In
love with your memories. And-if
you want-you'll find Bud down at
the ranch gate on watch-in themoon-
light, too. We have to keep watch
on, because we've had SO much trou-
BILE with rustlers."
Stella, affecting a coy embarrass-
ment, said,
Il think will take little run out
and see him-I won't be long"
Mary picked up book and settled
down to read as Stella went out the
door.
Stella found Bud at the gate, in
wistful meditation. Her coming sur
prised him.
"Oh, Bud, on night like this
couldn't resist the temptation to come
and chat over old times with you,"
Stella. told him.
She exercised all her most alluring
wiles, and soon had Buds heart going
faster than it had in years, and his