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

stopping over at the ranch for a
while, are your"
'For a while, yes"
Some of the boys over at your
ranch were telling in town they had
a young lady over at Gunlock that
used to ride in a circus. I suppose it
was you"
I'm the only woman, young or
old, over there"
''What circus did you work WITH"
ooh, several circuses," said Jane
recklessly.
what were some of them?"
Jane, growing flight, named one of
the big ones whose shows she had
attended in Chicago.
what year were you with that
show?"
She was growing desperate With
affected embarrassment she turned
full on him. "You mustn t ask me
that. Women are sensitive about
their age, don't you know?"
For the first time he turned his
eyes directly toward hers.
give heard some women are that
way" he went on, "but I shouldn't
call you a woman"
ooh, my! Why not?"
well, I'd call you girl. The rea-
son asked was, because was with
that show one season myself"
This was growing terrifying. Jane
made an effort to change the line of
talk; but her stranger was interest
ed. did you ever happen to ride in
Madison Square Garden?"
''N-no! Did your"
81 rode there one winter when we
showed there"
did you like circus work?" she
asked offhand.
Cant say I did. never worked
in a circus except that one season.
1t was only because I needed money
bad, and it was big money to me.
Then the lawyers got it all. Here's
the fork for Gun1ock ranch"
He pointed. They were at the part
ing of their ways. A saucy impulse
seized Jane. She was given to i'm
pulses and to doing whatever thing
flashed into her head. She checked
her horse, lifted her forearm, and
unclasped the bracelet. Since you've
been so kind"
The man had halted his horse.
Nothing at ALL" he protested.
I'D like you," she went on, pay
ing no attention to his disclaimer,
ito have a souvenir-this bracelet"
She held it out to him. He looked
flabbergasted. For what?" he SIAM
mered.
His embarrassment seemed to
communicate itself to Jane-she
could not have told why. "I'm CRATE
full for your putting me on my way
today, and that other night when I
got lost, if you remember" she went
on.
He swallowed She was secretly
delighted with his confusion. "Well,
that certainly is mighty kind" he
said haltingly. ''But couldn't accept
such a beautiful thing for doing
nothing at ALL"
1--WE got lots of bracelets"
But sometime I've got to find
something I can really do for you"
She laid the bracelet in his out
stretched hand.
''I certainly thank you thousand
times" His slow response left no
donbt of what he felt. Her aim now
was to escape his protestations. He
put on his hat. She started to 60.
''Please!" he exclaimed, raising his
hand. She stopped. Her guides brow
ruffled a little in perplexity.
what is it?' she asked, superclll-
ously impatient.
He took his hat off again. ''Would
it be polite" he ventured, "to ask
your name?"
''Tell me yours again." she said.
Bill Denison."
She allowed her horse to turn into
the ranch trail. Denison sat motion
less, hat in hand, but looking direct
ly at her. "You haven't told me your
name yet," he demonstrated quietly.
ooh! It's Marie. Good-bye!"
Not till after she had parted from
Denison and was riding alone with
her thoughts did Jane begin to feel
really frightened. This was the man
of whom she had heard lurid tales
of rustling, an enemy Of her fathers,
nearoutlaw generally-Bill Denison.
She drew a long breath, thinking
over her encounter with the re-
doubtable Bill; what she had said