Nogales international., 1933-12-23

q
to the ranch and its development. Kenneth,
Ruth's husband, caught in chilling rain
contracts pneumonia and passes away before
a doctor arrives. Ruth tries to carry on.
NOW GO ON WITH TIE STORY
Ruth had backed to the door. AS
Snavely ceased speaking, he slowly
settled into his chair; slowly the
fingers of his right hand began to rub
lis forehead
"I'll take the money" breathed Ruth,
end ran out of the room.
She entered the adobe and stood tor
several minutes just inside the door,
her hand on the crib against the wall.
Size trenlbled 50 that she could hardly
,tand. After time, she stepped be-
yrnd to the bed beneath the window
nd seated herself, chin on palm, her
syes on the strip CT far horizon seen
through the doorway. Her face was
> nite and the four fingers of the hand
.ancath her chin were pressed III
:aw against her lips. The sun had set;
l,lg shadows raced into the valley.
Mar the grindstone by the kitchen
! >or Davids small voice deterlninedly
Explained something to Sugarfoos.
With her eyes still OH the skyline, she
went 10 the doorway. Part OF that
treat cxpanse of land belonged to her.
j he rolling pasture lands to the east
II ;eit extend forever, for any sign of
l,,undary. Behind her, she knew, the
ranch extended to the mountain tops
2cFcs and acres, grass, trees, canons,
kills. Old Charley had spoken
a. though the Dead Lantern was a
wonderful rancf-feed enough for two
tn3usaud head-forty thousand dollars
I; ycar. BIT suppose he was wrong,
suppose even, that the ranch could be
,i.lc to earn only a quarter of that
H., very amount she had just agreed
- take for her entire interest. What
p<>.!d she and David do when that
money was gone? Then David would
have to go 10 work His inheritance
could have been a fine cattle ranch, a
wholesome life out OF doors, a good
education, and a reasonable number of
opportunities afterward
Suppose she fought down her pride.
Ruth could imagine how her step
mother would smile over such a letter.
Pride. Ruth had always been
proud; how high she had held her
head that day she had left home to
60 to Kenneth. No, she could not beg
to be taken back, but perhaps she
could write business letter to her
father.
For a long time Ruth stood in the
doorway her eyes following David
as he played with Sugarfoot. Yes, she
would write the letter; what was pride
compared with that pudgy-cheeked
little being? But, oh, that terrible man
IN the ranch house! Where was the
strength to fight her fear?
Ann left the ranch house on the
path which led to the barn. The
giantess eyed Ruth curiously.
Hello, Ann" Ruth smiled undc-
cidedly.
The huge woman paused. "Mr.
Snave1y says to git cut the blackboard
I'm goin' to take you-all over to
Thames place SOS you kin 60 in with
him tomorrow"
Ruth put out her hand as though
begging for time. The hand trembled.
Slowly she stood up. ''N-no, Ann"
The girl walked swiftly past her and
entered the living room. Mr.. Snave-
ly," she called.
The door of Snavely's bedroom
opened at once and he looked Cut.
I'm sorry, but I've changed my
mind"-Ruth chilled as she spoke
81 don't want to go back on my word
I can't help it. The money you
offered me wouldn't be enough. must
have a steady income-something /
can depend on for years. Don't you
see? I've just got to stay here and
make this ranch pay I'm writing East
for capital. If you'd help, I'm sure
-" She paused, then Strengthened and
said clearly, 'Mr. Snavely, this is all
have; it's all my son can ever have
from me or his father. I've got to
make it big ranch. I'm going to
stayp'
Snavely did not move, nor did he
make a sound; with pale eyes can
tracted to Sits, he looked at the girl
for moment, then his head withdrew
and the door closed softly.
X y N
Breakfast the next morning was a
silent affair. Snavely seemed wholly
absorbed with his food, but there was
a tenseness about his every movement.
AS she was leaving the room,
Snavely looked up. "Any time you
get enough of this here place an want
to take me up on that deal, jest say
So"
She paused and tried to smile.
"Thank you, 1 shall remember. But
first I'm going to- see what can be
done with capital-I'm writing East
this morning" --..- -....
LEGAL NOTICE