The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1931-01-23

AaSScu DciAAhu was " I'LL al uuAtt-
portant trifie.
The strain Of peril relaxed, Barbara
had to Mt against wave of faint
ness. caught at the saddle horn
with Dotn haids to steady herself.
II think you saved my life" O'Hara
said In voice unsteady with emotion.
II couldn't lift a finger to help myself,
not with Benie sitting in front of him,
and il Bonnie hadn't been there it
wouldn't have done any good for me
to try"
II thought was afraid" she
murmured.
HE couldn't stand out against what
you said. There's human streak in
him. And he likes children. When
you spoke about the baby"
Il didn't know what I was saying.
I was sick with fear" A SILVER Of
reminiscent dread ran down her spine.
"Tll never forget what you said,"
he told her; then flung at her the
question in his mind: Are we going
to be married, Barbara?'
"Are weT she echoed, her Tolce
colorless.
With sudden jubllant singing of
the blood he knew they were. "We
are," he cried.
Bonnie was fifty yards ahead of
them when they reached the creek.
He put his pony to canter as he
mounted the slope.
O'Hara slipped from the saddle at
the edge of the willows and caught the
bride rein of Barbara's horse.
"WeIl have to hurry If we're going
to save Benny from a spanking" she
protested, rather family.
"Bennie will have to take his
chance" he said with decision. HE
needs that padding. anyhow. Get
down."
you're very masterful, aren't your"
she said. her eyes both tender and
mocking. But, obediently, she dis
mounted and found herself in his
arms.
A happy little laugh welled from her
throat as her eyes turned to his.
It was fifteen minutes later that
she reminded him of their errand.
eve came to find Bennie."
"He can't be lost again already, can
hep her lover laughed.
But he submitted to walk with her
to the ranch house, leading their horses
by the brides.
Bonnie, has face tear-stained, made
a public announcement, one Influenced
by recent events which had cast more
than q shadow behind.
"I'm gonna live at your house.
Barbra, after you n the sheriff get
married, m when grow up I'm gonna
be a noutlaw like Bob Quantrell."
Mary Joe looked quickly at Barbara
and observed her confusion. HE says
you met Bob Quantrell."
"Yes," confirmed O'Hara. "He
turned Bennie over to u.s."
mo gun plays:" Phillips asked
quickly.
s'No."
BARBRA told him she was gonna
marry the sheriff." Bonnie contributed.
SAN she is, too, an I'm gonna live
with 'em."
The eyes of the lovers met. Bar
bara smiled permission for O'Hara to
tell the news. He did so, and created
no sensation.
II knew it all the time," Mary Joe
said calmly. "Ask Jack If I didn't
tell him so three weeks ago."
II expect you've been telling Jack-
more interesting things than that"
Barbara replied, smiling at her fore
man.
Whereupon more news came out.
"We'll make double wedding of it,"
Mary Joe suggested gaily.
"Can you ride with me, Jack?"
O'Hara presently asked him. 1--WE
got to follow Quantreil's trail while
it's hot"
II reckon So" Phillips answered.
'sSoon as I'm caught an saddled."
II want to see you, Garrett. just a
minute, in the house." Barbara said.
Inside, she turned swiftly on him,
catching the lapels of his coat with an
eagerness almost savage. do you