Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1929-03-21

He smiled across at her and once
more she frowned as she discovered
that he was nkable for all his under
handedness.
"WOrse than that-suicidal," he ad-
mitted. If you mentioned what you
think of me, that I've framed to rob
you by law, you wouldn't be bothered
with me for long," He laughed soft
ly and stretched his feet toward the
fire. "Look at it any way you like
and I'm In bad shape to deal you any
misery" he pointed out. IF you'd
drop hint that I'm an unwelcome
addition it would only be matter of
days until I'd fail to show up for
meals. If you view it from that angle
you can see I'm setting on the powder
can"
She did see 1t, but had not SO clear
ly realized it till he pointed it out,
and for the first time she wavered in
her conviction that he had come SIM
ply to deprive her Of her rights. But
the thought that her father would not
easily have willed away the home
place to another without being unGuly
influenced served to reinstate her dis
trust along with vague resentment
for his having shaken it by throwing
himself so openly on her mercy.
You probably thought to overcome
that by reaching the point the whole
thing so patiently aims for" she said.
Sand you calculated well-arriving at
time when we'd be alone for
week. The whole scheme was based
on that idea and I've been patiently
wondering why you don't rush mat
ters and invite me to marry you"
He rose and fiicked the ash from his
cigarette into the fireplace.
Il do invite copyright now," he
said, and in her surprise she left her
chair and stood facing him. I'D like
real well to have you, Billie"
That's the final proof" she said.
I'm surprised that you didn't tell me
the first day."
$50 am l." he said.
She found no answer for this but
stood silent, knowing that she had
suddenly become afraid of him.
"And that's the living TRUTH" he at
firmed. "Other men have loved you
the first day. You know men well
enough to be certain that l wouldn't
be tied to one woman for the sake of
owning few head of cows-not if
/ didn't want her for herself" He
waved an arm toward the door
There's millions of miles of sage
just outside" he said. "And millions
Of cOwS-and girls"
He moved across to her and stood
almost touching her, looking down
into her face. When Slade had stood
so few days past she had been cold
ly Indifferent except for a SILVER of
distaste at the thought of his touch
ing her. Before Harris she felt a
weakening, need Of support, and
she leaned back from him and placed
one hand behind her on the table.
"You judge for yourself whether a
man wouldn't be right foolish-with
all those things l mentioned being
right outside to call him-to marry a
woman he didn't want for herself, be-
cause she had few hundred head of
cows" He smiled down at her. Don't
pull back from me, Billie; l won't lay
finger on you. But now do you think
It's you want-or the little old Three
Barr"
'YOu can prove it." she said at
last. prove it by going away for six
mOnths-Or three"
He shook his head.
mot that" he said. "Pve told you
l was sewed up in a right peculiar
way myself-which wouldn't matter
d-n if it wasn't for this. I'd have
tossed it off in a second if the girl
on the Three Bar had turned out to
be any other than you. Now I'm go
ing to see it through. The Three Bar
Is going under-the brand both our
folks helped to found-unless some
one pulls it out of the hole. Believe
me if you can and If you can't-why,
you know that one remark about my
being unwelcome here will clear the
road for you, like mentioned a few
minutes back"
He turned away without touching
her and she had not moved when the
door closed behind him.
An hour past noon on the following
day drove of horses appeared at the
lower extremity Of the valley and
swept on toward the ranch. AS Har
ris threw open the gates of the big
corral he saw her standing in the
door of the cookhOuse watching the
oncoming drove. Riders fianked the
bunch well out to each side to steady
1t. There was roar of hOofs and d
sitting cloud Of dust as three hundred
half-wild horses clattered past and
crowded through the gates, scattering
swiftly across the pasture lot back of
the corral. A dozen sweat-streaked
riders swung from their saddles
There was no chance to distinguish
color or kind among them through
the dust caked In the week-Old growth
of beard that covered every face.
One man remained on his mount
and followed the horses into the pas
ture lot, cutting out fifty or more and