The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-02-18

"Oh, I haven't an idea. It was an
awfully hot day, as I remember.
Wasn't it,"
81 can't remember a thing about
the weather. If measured the time
by my feelings, it would be about
three years.
"How perfectly ridiculous!" pout-
ed Jane.
"What I was afraid of was, you'd
gone back to Chicago and I'd never
see you again. Then I figured that
if you went back to Chicago, I'd look
there next winter for a circus job
and try to get into the same show
with you."
She looked at him, frankly anus
ed. "Now wasn't that nice of you?
Really, Mr.. Denison, you make me
perfectly ashamed of myself. Will
you get mad now if I confess again?
No, you mustn't. I just won't have it.
Butt was kidding about being a
circus rider"
He depressed smile. She saw it.
what amused you?" she asked.
Nothing at ALL"
ooh, yes it was. What?"
"You won't get mad?"
"Oh," she responded airily, II
never get mad"
''Well, I knew you were kidding
because that time you rode up to
Spring Ranch, happened to see you
coming down the valley. It was after
I'd heard these stories about circus
riding. said to myself, If that
young lady ever rode in a circus,
they'd have to tie her on"
Jane didn't like it-no girl could.
But it gave her precisely the open
ing she wanted. Now" she said with
an attempted laugh, cts my turn,
and hope you won't get mad"
"Try me-nothing'd make me
mad"
Then, "You mustn't hate me be-
cause am not some one you might
have thought was. I am Jane Van
Tambel. My name is Jane-not Ma
RE. I know you and Father haven't
got along :"
Two days passed. Jane ordered up
her pony. whats takin' you into
town today?" asked McCrossen SUI
spiciously.
Bull came up with the pony. Jane
tossed the question: 81 forgot some
errands the other day. shan't be
gone long"
who's goin' with your"
mo one. The boys are busy. I
don't need the wagon today
She had ridden some two miles to-
ward town, when a turn in the trail
brought in sight a man riding out
of the woods. He checked his horse
and waited for Jane. His face was
expectant.
James cheeks flushed in spite of
herself. 81 hope haven't kept you
waiting long," she stammered. He
smiled and shook his head as if per-
fectly satisfied. 81 came early" he
confessed. "But I'd have hung
around all night for this and not
thought it long. Are we going up in
the hills?"
"Not today. We-at least lam
going into town." Jane had private
feelings of reserve about riding into
the hill. eve might get lost" she
81 might, but not in the way you
mean. I'm lost right now. I've been
lost for two days. Something came
into my life two days ago that hope
will keep me dreaming the rest of
my life
Don't talk nonsense"
"You don't dare ask what I was
dreaming about?"
"Was it about another dreamer?"
"It was"
81 know who, then" He looked at
her with pathetic hope ''It was about
McCrossen," she added heartlessly.
Never! It was"
Lets gallop," she exclaimed, cut
ting him squarely off. II feel just
like riding fast. I can beat you to
that big pine!"
When she pulled up after a brisk
run, her face was flushed, her eyes
dancing, her lips parted in laughter.
Denison was just behind her. 'Why,
you didn't race at ALL" she camplain-
ed, looking around at him. "Why
didn't you try to pass me instead of
sticking at my heels all the time?"
IF I passed you, how in the world
could I see you? I wish it was fifty