The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-06-14
CHAPTER II--Continued

we go7'
AS II spell were broken. the stran-
ger looked up sharply.
The eyes of the two men met and
held.
1t was as II two blades struck and
crossed, as TX armed forces FLASHED.
There was instant hatred In 1t, In
slant opposition
Then Sonya swung into her saddle
and was away at lope, Rod follow
ing close behind.
.Who was that man7" he asked thin
iy when he had caught up with her.
@Do you know him2"
Il don't know. and | do not said
tho girl crisply, "and | don't like your
tone Oh, Rod dear. l do wish you
would understand me better"
Forgive me, sonya." said Blake,
-but hate all men who look at you
too long
The ride back to the ranch was beau
tiful beyond words with the newly
risen sun bathing the weathered peaks
and pinnacles of desert stone, but
somehow Its glory missed the girls
heart.
Whether 1t WAS seeing again the
face of the man of Lone Mesa. or
Rods unreasoning jealousy. she could
not say. At any rate. she WAS silent
and preoccupied, and more than once
Blake looked at her sharply.
"Sonya," he said presently, Il know
you are tired, that you've had hard
oIght, but l want to have talk with
you. and this seems the best chance
I'm likely to have. since you are so
busy all the time. My longing and
love for you are an old story. I'm not
going into 1t again. I'm just telling
you that I'm leaving for the East day
after tomorrow, and 1t has been my
hope to take you back this time. Sonya
darling. will you Gomez"
He reached over and took her hand.
and at the caressing pressure OF his
fingers tears actually came4to the girls
eyes. Maybe because she was 80 tired.
maybe because she needed bit OF look
Ing after herself. Then she shook her
self mentally, squared her shoulders,
as 1t were. She smiled into Rods
eyes. squeezed his hand.
II didn't know you were going back
10 soon, dear" she said steadily, land
think want to go along, but there
Ia the woman back there who will
surely die. after all my hard pull to
save her, II ! leave her now. She
deeds care and stringent treatment,
and there Ii no one ON the Reserva-
ton who can--who wlll-give 1t to her
can't leave her, Rod"
The man Strengthened up, loosed her
hand.
1t was not In human nature to take
a blow like this and not feel Its Inn
pact. He looked straight ahead for .
little while. riding with his hands
crossed on his pommel and Songs
watched him anxiously.
sit isn't a within, Rod. Nor othel
men. haven't looked at another mar
since / gave you my promise. It's 1
bigger thing than that. Bigger thar
myself, bigger than you. | think. IT.
something which partakes Of the uni
verxal, the infinite. Something insid'
my soul, an obligation toto tn
Creator Himself" she added hesitant
ly. III you see what | mean. hav
the knowledge, the health-here Is tn
opportunity. the crying need. Let m
stay with them q while longer, Roo
please. Let me teach them more by
gIene, more child care, more mothe
care. They know 80 little, have 8
little"
Blake drew 4 long BREATH locke
nack at her, his eyes dilated and dee
with feeling.
aYou should be PortIa,' he SAIL
-you plead 80 eIoquently. And for
bunch OF dirty redskins who'd CT
your throat for ! dollar any day."
Sonya's lips fell open. How HIT
this man knew, this man OF the citle
OF the rushing world beyond tt
desert How aEpalllngly inadequai
his Judgments
What he was missing Of the mystei
OF life, its priceless gifts OF spirit, i
lighted deepsi A tender yearning Il
this blindness In Kim welled up In he
and she touched his arm.
Forgive me-" she said, II see ho
1t must seem to you. but believe m
Rod, 1t Is not 80. | cannot make "
see 1t. Only try to believe what ! 81
about 1t. Won, you, dear7 Star
steady for another stretch. until CT
do little more, leave my mark
little palmer In this soil which los
among these people whom love tor
Blake shrugged his shoulders und
his thin leather coat
Il suppose must. or go down
your black books as tyrant We
well, Sonya. I'll give you SIX mont
longer, but at the end OF that time