Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1934-12-13

Nm you call them 10 LOOK after my
my wife?"
Helen was staring up at Jim with
wondering. troubled eyes.
rs everything all right" she asked.
family.
Yes, If to find friends an care is
that replied the rancher. kindly
Then he stepped to the door to call
within. MARY. this rider was not
alone. 1t was his wife he was car
ryin'. They got lost in the brakes an
she ave out. We must take them in
That night. after the good ranchers
assured Jim that Helen was just worn
out Jim went to sleep under the cot
tonwoods and never moved for seven
teen hours.
Helen sat up the second day, white
and shaky indeed but recovering with
a promise that augnred well. Her eyes
hung upon jim with a mute observ-
anee.
Next morning while the women
were ut work In the fields and Tasker
was away somewhere Jim approached
Helen Of the porch. Her hair, ones
again under care. shone like FURNISHED
gold.
We'll, you look wonderful this morn.
ing he said. I'VE must begin to
think of getting away"
"0h, I'm able to start"
I'VE mustn't overdo it. Tomorrow.
perhaps. And then If we're lucky, In
three days you'll be back at Star
ranch. And I"
His evident depression, as he broke
off, checked her vivid gladness.
you will never go back Toto your
old life?' she questioned quickly.
No, SO help me, Godl This I owe
to you alone, Helen. 1t will be DOS
sible o for me even to be happy.
But enough Of myself. have traded
two of the horses for Tasker's light
wagon. | will take you to the stage
line and soon you will be at Grand
Junction.
Jim ceased. Her hands slipped from
her eyes. to expose them wide, filmed
with tears, through which shone that
which made him flee.
"Wait-please wait !" she called after
him, as he made with giant strides for
the gate. But he did not go back.
In a moonlit hour that night, late,
when the good Taskers had gone to
w%ell-earned rest. Jim heard his name
IIe ran with swift, nolseless
feet to Helen's bedside.
You did not come back" she whIs-
pered. i cannot sleep. There Is
something want to say"
He sat down upon the bedside and
elasped her hand III his.
is your real name Jim Waltz she
asked, with more composure.
No. | will tell 1t If you wish"
Are you a free MANI"
free. What do you mean? Yes.
aree-of course 7"
You called me your-your wife to
.hese kind people"
I thought that best. They would ba
.ess curious"
I was not offended-and | under
stood. -. | want you to go back to
star ranch with me-
You ask me-thatl" he exclaimed
ncredulously.
yes. ] do
"Rut you will be perfectly safe.
'ome one will drive you from Grand
junction."
"Ierhaps. Only III never feel safe
sgain-unless you are near I've had
great A shock, Jim. | suppose n
your western girls could have stood
adventure. But this was my first
ough experience. 1t was "a little
90 mueh.'
Il can never go back to Star ranch,~
e replied, gravely.
why not? Because you are-you
ere q member Of a robber gang?. I
ad an ancestor who was q rohber
That's not the reason he said.
what Is it-then?n
IF | leave you now-soon as I've
laced you In good hands, can ride
Il In peace-go to Arizona, or some
here and be a cowboy-and be happy
J the memory of having served you
nd loved you-and through that hav-
lg turned my back on the old life.
But II went back to Star ranch
to see you every day--to-to-"
ITO ride with me-" she interfered,
,ftly.
"Yes-to ride with you" he went on
oarsely. "That'd be like what you
lied your rough experiences little
much. 1t would be terribly too
UGH. I'm only human"
Faint heart never won fair lady,"
le whispered, averting her face and
%lthdrawing her hand. Tim, / believe
! were you, I'd risk it..
Jim gazed down at the clear-cut
at the Swallowed eyes, hair sill
red In the moonlight; then, stricken
I'd mute, he rushed away.
Before dawn Jim had beaten his
In and exalted consciousness into a
nsiction that the heaven Helen hint F,
at for him was the generosity of q F,
oman's heart. She could not yet be !,
lolly herself. He must not take ad- F,
ntage OF that. But to reassure her !