The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-10-04
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER XVIII

 last patch of timber on the upper reaches of Folly Mountain. Dudley stood on the bottom step and looked up at Dona. His hand some mouth had widened in n smile of indulgence. Dona could not see his eyes because of the shadows but she was sure they held a hickering banter at her hesitancy. After all, Dona had publicly an- nounced that she was his wife. And she was 6 modern girl--the slender active beauty who could ride. play tennis and swim, yet who could grace a luxurious easy chair With tantalizlng langour.
 Hates to give up her freedom" Dudley thought to himself.
 T won't give upn pola told herself, but she arose and allowed Dudley to slip an arm around her.
 We must stop in and see Dad," she said aloud.
 Dudley gave her a little squeeze but Dona pulled away from him.
 They found Asper awake and ap- parently waiting for them. T should think you love birds would be freezing!" he greeted them.
 "Wc've been watching the moon uncover Folly Mountain Dona said in low voice and her words sounded strangely tight.
 Just a bit of night air." Dudley grinned.
 Well, run along now. It's getting late. Timc for an old fellow like me to get some sleep" Asper's eyes held kint of moisture.
 Dona bent and kissed him. "Ycu're not an old fellow. Dad! And. as your nurse, it's my duty to take care of you. Is there anything you want?"
 Not a thing. You're not to bother about me. I'm going to sleep lke q spruce log tonight. Won't wake upza single time" Asper closed his eyes and settled back against the pillows
 "Well, then -- good night" Dona took her fathers hand and gave 1t n final squeeze.
 Dudley caught her arm and led her from the room. Outside the girl halted. Noiselessly she closed the door behind her.
 room,' Dudley spoke with a tone of mastery he had never dared use before.
 You can't do that!"
 why not?" Dudley demanded. Were married, aren't we?
 You know were not married" |" Iora flushed. We will have to go down to Seth Doby's and find Sam Dean before we can be married"
 "I never thought you'd stick for all that bunk!" Dudley was begin ming to be impatient.
 Well, you know It now" She could not keep an edge from her voice.
 All right. We'll drive down there tonight"
 You know won't leave Dad" The girl felt she was gaining ground.
 You wont be able to put this over." Dudley warned her.
 Dona took q step toward him. "Dud. please be good to me! ] know I'm a Title fool but I want everything to be right. You will. won't your"
 He drowned sulkily. "I'm the fool, I guess" he growled and turned on his heel.
 Dona watched him go to his room. je shut tho door with q snap and did not look back. Shc sighed and again slipped out into the moonlight. In the shelter of the cherry bush at the end of the building she sank down and gave herself up to her emotions. A sha- dowy form on the hillside caused her to make an effort to control. A man was coming toward her. She could see that he was tall and slen- der. With little gas Dona fled around tho corner.
 She did not want to return to her room SO she wandered down to the corral. There she found Malloy. silently smoking cigarct and gag ing out into the night. He nodded to her but did not speak. Dona climbed up beside him and Sat with her chin in her hands. She wanted to ask the silent cowboy n ques- tion. It was on the tip of her tongue when man came running down the hill.
 Malloy did not make move to get down from his perch though the the approaching man was evi- dcntly very excited. A flare of moonlight splashing through the uncut spruce revealed their hur- rled visitor, Swergin, hatless and angry. was approaching.
 "Get out the men. Saddle up all the l.orscs' he shouted.