The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1931-07-10

t(c) by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.1
tWNU Servicel
II Ellen CLERMONT sat under a
- large shady tree. The rough
bark served as resting place for her
brown curly head. An open book lay
on her knees, forgotten. She gazed
out across the sun-baked fields. Here
and there hectic growth of cactus
dotted the landscape
"HellOr' came a deep masculine
voice, called in true western style
from the distance.
She waved her wide-b brimmed hat
In greeting. The dusty rider logged
along, the horse setting his own pace
which was in keeping with the lazy
late afternoon.
Get down, Bob, | want some one
to talk to-" Helen spoke cordially to
her fathers ranch foreman.
You know, Bob, while / was away
at school, | almost fell in love. May
be / did; maybe am"
"You in love? He better be a
darned fine fellow! OF course he Is,
or you would not care for him."
staunch Bob said, as he sat down be-
side her.
Il don't know whether it's love, or
not" Helen always was outspoken
with the cowboy foreman.
"Tell me about him"
"Well, he is tall and slender, very
refined and distinguished looking, has
black eyes and hair, and is always
Immediately dressed. He Is an au-
thor, writes western books. His name
is Jack Lamontee -
Not the Jack Lamontee who wrote
Cactus and Sand Burrs'?' Bob
asked, excitedly.
That's he. He's about forty years
old, but he is so interesting you never
think of his age" Helen defended.
Bob was only twenty-five and Helen
was twenty.
Say, that will be great-you marry
ing big shot like that. I'll bet the
girls in New York felt like hogtylng
you and shipping you back to the
sage bush"
"You are glad" Helen asked, a
trife disappointed that Bob so heart
lily agreed to her marriage.
Il am going to read Cactus over
again, 80 / can talk to him about It
when he comes out here for the we'd
ding"
well, you will have to get busy.
| have invited him TO spend q month
on the ranch before we announce our
engagement, and he is coming out on
the evening train"
Say, suppose we ride in with the
horses instead of taking the car. |
know, from the books he writes, he
will be glad to find a good saddle
horse waiting after that long train
ride"
That evening they rode toward the
little town.
81 hope you and dad will like him.
Helen said.
81 know | won't like him." Bob
spoke seriously.
why, Bob, that is not like your
We'll, it's like this, Helen. | have
loved you ever since | knew you.
always thought some day we would
get married-until you went to school.
Then, | sort of quit hoping, but went
on loving you just the same. And now
this is so sudden to me. Well
just wanted you to know
love you!"
"Oh, Bob, how l must have hurt
you like you an
awful lot, Bob. But Oh, there's
the train" Helen touched her horse
to swift pace, as shrir whistle cut
the air.
Looks like we are going to have
bunch of rain: see those clouds !"
"Oh, hope not; Mr.. Lamontee will
get drenched the first thing We
should have come in the car"
Hello, Jack |" called out Helen, as
tall man, in correct travelling dress,
swung from the rear step.
Helen. | never would have known
you You are brown, actually brown 7"
exclaimed Jack
Just sunkist. Jack, this is Bob.
They have horse for you to ride
back to the ranch p
1--WE knew you would like 1t. I'm
faithful reader of your books, and
know you are riding man." Bob said
AS the trio mounted, Helen could
not help but notice the awkwardness
of Jack as he got into the saddle, but
she hastily excused the clumsiness as
excitement of arriving. AS they rode
on, Jack bounced up and down, hold.
ing on the saddle horn with both
hands, set, determined look on his
face.
Looking at Jack, Helen noticed he
was deathly pale
Jack. are you ill?" she asked ex.
citedly.
"This darned horse Is about 70
shake me to pieces" Helen knew old
Henry was the easiest riding horse on
the entire ranch.
To make matters worse, the heav-
ems opened in perfect downpour of
rain.
And somehow, as they rode along,
and she looked at the two men before
her, the question was answered Bob
was riding on ahead singing a gay lit.
tie ditty, the rain coming down ap-
parently unnoticed on his tanned face.
Jack was riding along huddled over
the saddle horn, cursing the horse and
the weather; his pale face now an