The Coolidge examiner., 1932-09-02

tion of moving him became immi-
nent. Neither Phil nor Julia ever
entered the sick room or exchanged
a word with the McCanns.
On an afternoon Julia made a
suggestion TO Phil that flushed his
boyish face with pleasure.
Let's go see the Clifford girls.
We ought to show we feel friendly.
Don't you think so? You used 10
know them. didn't your"
"Yes. before-before Nora went
away. | knew 'em right well. But
now nobody's welcome there"
And Jasper knew them. too,
I've heard"
yep. Quite a few of the boys
went there. Tom McArdle did
an Gitner-an' I've seen Dave
Stone there. They don't any of 'em
| go any more. Ann won't have
'em. Makes II mighty lonesome for
Ethel. She's a mighty nice gal.
julie. II you could make friends
Win htI dH ADu-
He left his sentence unfinished.
but II was expressive enough as II
stood.
I'll try" she promised.
They rode up out of the valley
toward lineup pass. From the dis
tance came faint voices. The fore
man of the Circle Cross was max,
ing a gather of beeves for the trail
The plaintive bleating OF calf just
reached them. Through the pass
they moved down to the desert
The girl thought of almost the last
time she had crossed 1t. in the
moonlight. beside her the strong
sun-browned man who had become
anathema to her family. She had
talked with Dave Stone. In her
heart she knew that Wilson Nc.
Cam had not killed her father. He
i had given her his word that he
would not wage any but fair fight
In spite OF her resentment against
him she believed be would keep his
word.
The horses climbed the mesa
where the sheep ranch had its
headquarters.
A shy-eyed girl came TO the door
TO meet them. AT sight of Phil her
cheeks flew a flag of color.
The boy swung from the saddle
Miss Ethel, meet my sister. She'll
be right glad to know you"
Ethel Gifford's blue eyes filmed
with tears when Julia came for
ward and impulsively kissed her.
She was starved for affection.
There was none of II in her life
except that which came from Ann.
who jealousy protected her from
any chance of 1t on the part of
| others.
my dear, we're going to be
friends" Julia said.
The other girls lip trembled
Wont you-come in?" she invited
obviously. Ann was away from
home but the thought of her OBJ
truded. She would not like her
asking the Starks into the house.
The visitors followed her into the
low-ceilinged room. 1t was a home
like place, Julia saw in the first
swift glance. In the deep windows
/ of the adobe walls were potted
flowers. geraniums, begonias, and
fuchsias. They were curtained
with clean muslin. A piano filed
me corner. On the mantel were
photographs and a framed print of
Del Sarto madonna.
There was moment of silence
before Ethel explained that her sis
ter was out at one of the camps
But | expect her back any time"
she added.
Il think she must be pretty
good manager" Julia said. II hear
you are doing so we'll. am glad"
IF we could only sell out and
go away" Ethel wistfully replied.
Perhaps we can when folks find
out we're making money here"
You don't like the desert?" the
older girl asked.
Il hate 1t. It's horrible.
1t takes Us and . crushes
our lives" She flung out her
hands in a gesture of passionate
despair. Folks that are good and
kind - they change - and awful
things happen"
YES" said Julia, struck by d
sudden depression of sadness.
Ethels sweet mouth quivered.
"Oh, I'm sorry. forgot-about
you. | was thinking of myself. 1t
gets so terrible sometimes-when |
let myself think"