The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-10-25

force her to marry him at any hour he wanted, he was in no hurry.
 Asper shook his head. Suddenly he bent and raised the girls chin so that she could looR straight into her eyes. Remember, D, this fam fly has never gone for these new fangled wrinkles. Your mother and never allowed we'd have di- vorce in the family" He was 50 serious that Dona laughed out right. with me it's for keeps" she smiled. Jumping up, she slipped her slender arms around her fa- ther,s neck and hugged him: She wanted to let herself go and sob in his arms but pride kept her from it.
 Asper patted her arms with rough tenderness. You come to your old Dad when you get gum. I've plenty of time to ride with you" He held her away at arms length. Everything is fixed ready for our trip down out of this coun- try. We'll start tomorrow night so as to miss the heat in the desert."
 "I'1l be all packed and read to go,' Dona promised.
 A few minutes later Dudley ap- peared. He had been poking around the corrals. Dona met him with 6 smile and he .patted her hand ab- sently, then went to his room. When he returned she told him they were to leave the next night. Dudley did not seem particularly enthusiastic.
 Sure, l can get ready" he grunted.
 "This afternoon I'm going to ride with you as a last goodbye to Folly Mountain" Dona was suddenly eager to go out again over the trails where she had met such exciting adventures but few days past.
 Dudley lighted cigarette and puffed at it before he spoke. How about going at one"
 "Fine. I'll be ready and we'll take q real ride" Dona patted his arm playfully.
 That afternoon they rode into the high country. Dudley cau- toned her to be careful and to let him lead the way. He insisted that Ball was still lying low and waiting to finish the pob he had started. Dona only laughed at him.
 "This is my last ride, Dud, and want to go the way I like best. I want to ride up the Pass Creek trail clear to the rim" She smiled eagerly across at him.
 Dudley was suddenly willing to let her have her way and they can- tered along at a brisk rate. The roan was so full of life that Dona had to keep pulling him in to make his pace fit that of Dud1ey's horse.
 Dona had a plap in the back of her head but she did not tell Dud- Icy about it. She wanted to visit the cave high under the rim of the It was not trip for any ting she expected to find there but she had longing for one last look inside the place.
 So she led Dudley up the moun- tain and along the rim. At the slash in the rim rock where the hidden entrance began she halted and looked back at Dudley.
 'I am about to take you into bandits cave," she called.
 Dudley looked worried and ad. justed his holster carefully. "Do yVu tHAuh Wo OuSHt CO BV pohAHS in there?" he asked doubtful1y.
 ''Ball is a thousand miles from here" Dona laughed and headed the roan into tangle of brush that hid the entrance.
 Dudley crowded close upon her heels and they soon emerged on the grassy ledge. Dudley looked around and whistled softly. Ball O
 Dona slid from her saddle and Have you matches?"
 Dudley produced a pocket fash ligt and dismounted stiffly. The pace she had set had made him q little tight in the joints. "I'll lead the way" he said with a jerk at his gun.