The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-09-30

Du0ley met neE eyes anu HIS hPS
 parted in a rin. twin you marry
 me this morning. Miss? If you will IT can put off my plans>fo q few
 hours" He stepped close to her.
 Dona laughed and fled toward the
 steps. "I couldn't break in on
 such important business!" Her
 eyes softened and her lips sudden
 ly drew together firmly. "Dud,
 please be careful"
 Dudley stood still, uncertain
 whether to leap after her and take her in his arms or to go on down
 to the corrals. The moments delay decided the question in favor of
 teh corrals. Dona was up the steps
 and inside the door. She waved him
 a goodby kiss and was gone. Dudley walked slowly down the
 pathway. He was torn between two courses of action. He wanted to
 go back and he wanted to go on.
 Had he known it, Dona's words
 had seemed more tender than her
 heaort dictated. he was planning, | guided by woman's instinct, against a great need she feared might soon arise. Swergin's obstin-
 ate actions made her fear that she
 might have to ask lot of Dudley Winters.
 | She paused at her fathers door and looked inside. He was lying just as she had left him, his eyes
 half-closed and his strong mouth a
 little slack. Dona hurried to her l own room and began rummaging through her travelling case. From | among a tumble of silk and lace | garments she found a paper. It was the marriage certificatef Sam Dean
 had made out and signed. She dress. It felt cold and stiff against her soft skin and a little shiver ran down her spine as she faced the door.
 Asper showed great deal of | improvement that day. When he awakened for his medicine at | four o'clock he was in high spirits. | Dona felt relieved and busted her | self about the room until he order- ed her outside for breath of fresh air.
 "Get outside, young lady, and soak up a little pine and pitch balm and don't be treating me like an old woman with the. lumbago. feel fit as cougar right now," he rumbled.
 "YouIl promise you won't try to get up?" Dona asked the question in the manner of an order. Feel too lazy" Asper grunted and lay back among the pillows. xr,or1nrn1 fn tho r. rals where she found Malloy sitting on the top pole with his long legs dangling in the air. She greeted him with a smile and rested her arms on the fence. She was just tall enough to rest her chin easily on one shapely arm.
 How is my roan?" she asked. Hell be needin' a stiff workout pretty soon. He's feelin' his oats" Malloy grinned.
 Hell get it about tomorrow morning." Dona promised. And don't you dare ride him before I get down here."
 "No danger. I don't banker after that kind of treatment right after breakfast" Malloy pulled up a booted foot and dug his heel into the soft wood of the top pole. That critter seems to miss you"
 "Swergin will be in with Ball to- night and then I can ride without everyone in camp trailing me-" Dona whistied softly to the roan, standing in a shady corner of the corral. The big fellow lifted his head and. his nostrils quivered in answer.
 Don't plan too much on them birds bringin' Ball in," Malloy draw1ed softly.
 You seem to think that murder CT can't be taken" Dona's tone held an edge:
 Not alive!" Malloy returned frankly. Ball has turned out to be bit of a killer and he ain't the kind to be taken by no timber punks with rifles. Ball uses a six gun and mets 'em close in."
 "I'm expecting him in with Swer- gin and his men," Dona repeated as though to reassure herself. She helf-turned and instantly whirled to run up the path. Two men were riding down to the corrals while the main building. Dona was sure he was headed for Asper's room. She reached the steps well out of breath. Swergin had gone to his office instead of to her fathers room. Dona sat down to catch her breath. She meant to stay right there until the timber boss came out.
 Swergin remained in his office through the supper hour. Dona car ried Asper's tray of food to him and waited while he ate but the big boss did not come out of his office. Dudley appeared, looking fresh and rested. He sat beside Asper while Dona went to snatch bite of din- ner. She was able to whisper to him to watch for Swergin as she went out.
 Darkness had settled as Dona re- turned from the cook cabin. There was a promise of moon in a few hours. She heard voices in her fa- ther's room and ran up the steps. Swergin was standing in the middle of the floor, his feet planted wide. On his face was stubborn express sion and his massive chin was thrust forward aggressively. Asper Delo was sitting up and he was shaking with anger. :. ITO Re (SOntinuodN