The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-07-19
CHAPTER V-Continued

back on Darkness and went soberly
home. She had much to think about
and was doing 1t with vengeance.
For one thing. why had the feel of
this mans arm across her breast, the
0earness OF his face, shot through her
with SO strange fre7
Once before his arm had been about
her. dragging her from Darkness back,
his face had been close to hers, and
she had been filled with such unbear4
able rage and hate that she could have
killed him on the spot.
What was the matter with herr
Where was her character, her prin-
ciple, her condemnation OF wrong?
For that he was wrong--all wrong
entirely-she had not the slightest
doubt- Why did he meet sky-ship
here on this lonely desert1 Why was
ne afraid for her to be seen by Its oc-
cupantsr What strange freight had
he taken from 1t and put so carefully
In his saddlebags?
ribly deep, and 1t had to do. she felt
sure. with the limited things OF the
Servants guarded speech-with that
mysterious Presence across the Bor-
der which ruled 80 bloodIly.
And why, she asked herself again,
should all this weigh down her soul |
Why should she, busy and happy In
her daily life. betrothed to another
man, care what this drunken wastrel
did7 No. she corrected herself, not
drunken now. He had said he could
not drink, and she believed him. And
why should she believe hlm7
Gravely, In sort of cold fear, she
searched her inner depths. and what
she dlmly saw appalled, her.
1t was his eyes, she told herself, the
look OF his eyes when he spoke OF
these things. They were deep eyes,
strange eyes. filled with a Wild spirit,
and under this wildness. this old devil
may-care which had characterized
them. was something so desperate, so
anxious, that Sonya would have staked
her life on Its truth.
Frightened to her foundations, the
girl Strengthened In her saddle and
lifted Darkness Into his stride. She
would get home to the sane and or.
iered things OF every day. to Lila with
her calm assurance of all good, to
Serge and little Babs- And she would
forget this man, forget his eyes and
his hands and the heady intoxIcation
OF the scent OF HIM She would write
to Rod tonight, \ long. good letter.
sha had neglected him bit OF late.
The next day Sonya went to town
to mall her letter. She felt very
virtuous and calm. All the strife and
snsase OF the day before had gone
from her. She had written dutifully
to Rod and told him all the trivial hap
penngs OF every day-that Is, all but
those pertaining to the rider on the
golden horse. These were OF too small
import. she told herself, wouldn't In
terest him. And besides, he wouldn't
understand. At the store Mr.. Parks
was urbanity Itself, bustling about to
wait on her. smiling unctnously, rub
bling his fat hands together.
Good morning." she told him po.
lltely.
ITS always good morning, Doctor
Sonya." he said richly, when we see
you here. You don't get down too
often"
NO." said Sonya, "I've been pretty
busy Of late"
"Um~ 1t sure does beat me how a
woman can be doctor. An doctor
In these parts has got to ride hard an
far, take little pay, an never be sure
OF that You goin' to the dance over
to tn NeIdllngers next Sat'day night
Bill pingle from Big Town an two
others Is goin' to furnish tn music.
Accordion an two fiddles. Ought to
be good"
Sounds good, surely"
Think you folks'll sit over7"
why. yes" said Sonya. II shouldn';