The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-04-06


jumped out, laughing and reaching
both hands to him. Her words came
III staccato gasps: "Gcrdoni My
dear! I should never have known
you'll You're Why" She paused,
surveyed him, ended helplessly,
why Gordonl"
He watched her curiously at first,
then warmed to spontaneous re-
sponse. She stood before him as
amazingly beautiful as ever; tall,
dark, trinity QUILTED in riding
breeches, gray silk shirt, black tie,
and polished tan boots, all of which
were perhaps more stylish than
comfortable, yet gave her figure
magnetic grace. The sun had burned
her cheeks on the drive across the
desert, coloring them over olive
skin, and the dry wind had cast a
sparkle upon her usually languid,
dark eyes.
| Breck laughed into them, returned
the pressure of her clasp, and they
stood for an instant, wordless. In
wardly he had to admit some of the
old feeling.
The Senator interrupted, boosting
himself from the car. You're look
ing fine, my boy. Finel Say, I'd
give something for your middlel"
n Breck went to him. You'll be
this way if you live in the noun
tains long enough. I'm glad to see
you, Senator"
II Sutherland shook hands with a
hearty campaign grasp, long and
full of action He was short and
thick-set, past fifty, with a round
face behind which lurked the humor
of many good smoking-room stories.
In clothes he had not followed
Irene's example, but wore a thin
suit of white and limp Panama.
They were still in the first ex-
change of greetings when a second
car swung around bend of the
road and burst through the willows,
further scattering Art Tillsons
mules. 1t halted near the roadster,
sedan scarcely showing its occu-
pants in the piled-up baggage.
Il He opened the door, and a gray
haired, motherly face peered at him
over canvas roll. How do you do,
| Gordon? You'll have to dig me out
! before can reach YOU" The wom-
| ans voice came cheerily in spite
of her cramped position.
n The chauffeur came from in front
to help him; a short, spare man
who had been in the family always.
In moment they had the Senators s
wife out. She gave Breck an inn
pulsive hug, then stood off consid-
.ering him from Stetson hat to serv-
ice boots.
II you're a good-looking ranger,
Gordon was her verdict. Il must
say that!"
Il "My thanks" he answered, smil-
ing upon her. Of the Sutherland
4 family she was the one who gave
open affection. She babied the Sem
ator and spoiled Irene, and at one
time would have spoiled him too.
4 Dick Divine came from his cabin,
introduced himself perfunctorily,
then added to Breck, 1--WE got
somethin' on the table in there. They
can eat while we're packin'."
Glancing down, his eye fell on the
array of luggage. A startled look
crossed his face.
Breck laughed. "Can we put this
on three mules, Dick?"
The old packer blinked hard. "I'c
say it amt all here"
"Oh no." Irene agreed. at isn't
You'll find the rest in my roadster" "
She unlocked the turtle-back ano
Breck looked in. Folding chairs
folding tables, folding beds lay
there. He drew them out, uncover.
ing boxes of fresh fruit, tin o1
waters, three bon voyage baskets OF
candy.
IRENE" he asked, "are you sure
you have plenty of real food?"
ooh yes! Heaps!"
"How much -four, rice and ba-
CONF"
mo flour. I brought crackers
You know, Gordon, never eat rice
And bacon just minute.
had Toby buy everything" She
turned to the chauffeur. ''Toby, how
much bacon?"
"Six half pound packages,
think"
Breck grinned mo -four, no rice
three pounds of bacon" He waved
toward the house. "You rest ir
there-all of you. I'll do the pack
ing"
"And III watch!" Irene asserted
with suspicion. 81 know what you're
going to do. I've got the cutest lit.
tie mattress with springs that
squash down. ! must take it. And
/ suppose you would throw out ar
evening dress"
"You didn't bring onei"
"Of course. Won't we dancer"
"Yes," Breck promised, thinking
of Temples rodeo, well dance But
the only evening gown you'll need is
the one you sleep in!"
When the others had gone into the
house, he and Divine sorted what lit.
tie of the equipment there was that
could be used.
"I've seen some right pretty camp
junk" the packer observed, stand.
ing among the sets of furniture
painted red and blue, with striped
covers TO match, but this is plumb
grand!"
They selected about one-fourth the
cars contents and made up kyacks
for three mules. Immediately Breck
lashed on the bedding and drew
cinches tight, and so had it all Gov.
cred before the family returned
When they did come from the house
he hustled them into their saddles