Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1931-12-17
Continued from page g.

he saw the bulge of mountains into
which it opened to the west.
Rock returned to town. A young
woman, coming out of Dabb's large
establishment, almost ran into
Rock. He tried to avoid her, but
she did not make a like effort.
.fExcuse me-" he said, touching
his hat.
aTrue Rock-aren't you going to
sneak to me?" she burst out.
He knew the voice, the face, too,
the dark, sparkling, astonished
eyes. But who was this holding out
both gloved hands?
.sTrue-don't you know me?" she
asked, with mingled reproaeh and
gayety. "It's Amy
aIndeed it was. Amy Wund, old
er. fuller of figure, with dark
flushed face and roguish eyes. She
was richly and fashionably dress
ed. and that fact, somehow, put
surprise and confusion far from
Rock.
"Why, Mrs. Dabb, this is sur
prise!" he said, doffing his SOM
brero and bowling over her hand.
4I'm sure glad to see you.'
Mrs. Dabb? Not Amy?h she re-
Joined, with captivating smile and
look Rock found strangely famil-
lar.
"Some one told me you were
married to my old boss, John
Dabb,s said Rock, easily.
Its true, but you can call me
Amy, as you used to-
Rock smiled, but did not avail
himself of the gracious privilege.
sYou sure look we'll and fine. And
prosperous, too?7
She did not like his penetrating
gaze and his slow, cool speech.
.sTrue, I can return the compli-
ment. You are handsomer than
nver.v
Thanks
'sTrue, you're not glad to see
me-" she rejoined, almost petulant-
ly.
@Why, sure I am! Glad you're
settled and happy and
Happy! Do I look that?' she
interrupted. bitterly.
t'If my memory's any good you
look as happy as ever
"Yourf memory is bad-about
that--and other things. True
man; have you come back on a
visit 2"
mo; aim to stay. always was
comin' back"
'If you only had comew she
sighed and looked eloquently up
at him. I'm glad-terribly glad
you're going to stay. We must be
good friends again, True. You'll
come to see me-ride with me
like you used to. Won't you?"
"I'm afraid Mr.. Dabb wouldn't
like that. He never had any use
for me-"
at doesn't matter what he likes"
returned the young woman, impa-
tiently. "Say you will, Trueman.
I'm horribly lonesome.
Rock remembered that Amy had
always been a flirt, but he imag-
ined she would change after mar
riage. Evidently she had not
changed. 1t was rather a melan-
scholy moment for him, realizing
that he could no more dangle after
her than fly, and he was sorry for
her and wished to spare her dis
scomfiture.
"Pll call on you and John some
.time,' he replied, with all friendli-
ness.
s'Me and-John! i. Well, your
long absence in Texas hasn't made
you any brighter. | dare say it
hasn't changed you any-about
girls"
MOP" he drawled.
saw you with Thirty Preston"
she went on, spitefully. cat your
old tricks, cowboy!"
81 don't call it old tricks to carry
a few bundles for girl" replied
Rock, stiffly.
Bundles. rotl'' she retorted.
"Ohs know you, True Rock, inside
and out. You've lost your head
pronto over Thirty Preston"
-1'rn not denyin' it, am II"
you're Haunting it like red
flag right in my face. Well, I'm
telling you, cowboy, that this once
you've lost your head for nothing.
Thirty Preston will have none OF
you. know her. She is not your
Ga1ind. She's cold as ice to every cow
boy on this range. Heaven knows,
they've run after her."
"Thanks for that last news, any
how" he responded, dryly.
"More. Thirty Preston has no use
for lovesick cowboys, much less
one like you, who've been at the
beck and call of every girl in the
land. And she worships that hand
some devil of brother, Ash"
"I'd hold it virtue for girl tc
aove her brother"
"Bah! Thirty Preston is queer
Some folks say her love is unnatu.