The Coolidge examiner., 1931-02-20
CHAPTER xI-Continued

more than one or two flying visits
to the Circle s o. His partner,
Smith-BeresfOrd, was managing the
ranch, with some advice from Wes-
ley Steelman. and he was doing so
well that ii began to look as though
he might escape the usual fate of
wealthy Englishmen who went into
COWS in the West.
1t was nearly nine months after
the death of Ingram that a cowboy
from the Diamond Tail brought the
sheriff news, not entirely uneXpect-
ed. Barbara had given birth to a
boy, weight eight pounds.
Since The day of the funeral
O'Hara had not set eyes on Bar
bara His excuse had been that he
was too busy TO call. but the real
reason was that he did not know
whether he could keep his eyes
from telling her what was in his
heart. Now he could no longer de-
Gently stay away. AT the first OPP
pOrtunity he rode out to the Dia-
mond Tail.
AT sight of Barbara the blood
rushed stOrmily to his heart. He
knew that he was betraying him
self, yet words choked in his throat
and he could find nothing TO say.
In his brown hand he held the one
she had given him. and as he looked
at her a slow flush crept into her
cheeks
$50 you came at tast," she said.
After all these months"
He lad no answer for her re-
proach except to murmur that he
bad teen busy. How could he tell
her that he dared not let himself
come within the orbit of her attrac-
ton!
Since you've come at last to see
my baby I'll forgive you" she said.
and drew back a fold of wrapping
that he might get better look at il.
Would you like to hold him?"
she asked. as though she were con-
ferrins upon her friend a precious
privilege.
IF | may"
The baby whimpered a little as
he held it,
His name is David" Barbara
said.
81 hope he'll defeat all the
Goliaths that he meets"
DO you think he is pretty?" she
asked.
He came through with the proper
Endorsement of its beauty.
Barbara laughed happily. You're
tellin fibS. Garrett. I'm his moth
er. but even | can see that he's a
homely little peanut yet You
couldn't call that little button a
nose. could you? But his eyes are
lovely. aren't they? They are his
fathers"
The nurse relieved O'Hara of the
baby ana carried il out of the
room. Time he went TO sleep" she
announced with authority. You
may sit down and talk to Barbara.
Mr.. o Hara."
won't | tire her?"
mo. Not if you don't stay too
long. Amuse her"
After she had left them alone
Barbara settled back among her
pillows. You've heard yore orders.
AmuSe me. Garrett" There was a
faint friendly smile on her lips.
She knew him of old.
Good gracious can't | never
amused a woman in my life. | |
don't know how to talk with one"
Then don't bother about amusing
me. Interest me. Tell me all about
yourself an what you've been do
ing. I've heard all sorts of things
about you. Dad says you're the
best sheriff IN the territory"
Your father has to believe in
me because he was responsible for
my appointment"
"Lyulph agrees with him." She
mlmicked Smith-BeresfOrd's speech
and manner. The best i'm the
whole bally country. by Jovei"
His face was not with embarrass-
ment. but she had given him a way
of escape. You know, of course,
that he is To be married sOon-that
he is going home next month to
bring his fiancee out?"
"Of course | know it. keep in
touch with my friends"
He chose to ignore this thrust.
Hope he'll be happy. | don't
know anyone who deserves happi-
ness more"
The great point is that she and
Lyulph seem so sure of each other,
They haven't any doubts, either of
them. She'll have all kinds of new
experienceS-an that's life. And.
above all, they'll have each other"
"Ye-es." ne asserted.
Her eyes flashed with gay malice.
But you're bachelor. You
wouldn't think that much"
MOI much, 10 walk hand in hand
with the woman that he loved
The thought of il took his breath
and made him avert his telltale ewes
Vignettes flashed before his vision:
the one mate Out OF a world of
women moving about his house and
singing Snatches of love songs in
full-throated cadences: tent in
the pines beneath the stars shining
for two lovers; light feet running
to meet him when he came home
at night; his paradise made sure BY
her delicious presence. No. he
wouldn't think that much!
He smiled ruefully His modesty
would not let him believe that he
had in him the qualities to win the
woman he wanted TO such joy.
What had he to offer her so com
r.aliiuo rhar Sbo rould End in tbo