The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-05-04

dor"
"Just 60 on with the show, young
fellow"
But Breck lost interest in the show
as the afternoon passed and Sierra
did not appear. Cook was right;
Slim could take care of himself, and
they could do no better than wait;
yet inaction became unbearable.
Breck watched the rodeo with sight
less eyes, knowing vaguely that wild
horses were being ridden and men
thrown, but his thoughts could not
be centered there.
AT dusk he sought Cook again,
having worked himself into a fine
turbulence.
The ranger checked him with a
look. "Unstring yourself" he said.
mo need to worry about Sierra,
and you're missing lot of fun
around here. God knows you may
need it. Have you seen Louy?"
He had not.
Cook grinned. There's going to
be dance, you know"
Relieved by the old rangers un-
perturbed manner, Breck went at
once in search of Louise. Temple
said she was in her cabin, fixing up.
Breck knocked on the door.
"Just minute" she called out;
then womanlike took half an hour.
When she appeared, she had
changed into dress of something
pink, and, as once before, he felt
he was gazing at a new girl, al
most stranger.
"Do you see a ghost?" she
teased.
"No; an angel"
Nov, now"
Breck smiled and took her hand.
You're real enough. I've come to
fill my dance card. Every other
number, Louise
"What?"
81 mean it; I'm that selfish. Will
you save them?"
She hesitated. "You don't want
every other dance with me. That
wouldn't be fair-to your guest"
II think my guest understands. -
Louise shook her head. mo; !
can't promise YOU"
"Then the first and third" he de-
manded. 1--WE can see about the
rest later"
A fire of logs in a clearing beyond
the cabins lighted the whole camp,
bringing fences, tree trunks, people
into red relief against the blackness
outside. Three cowboys with a sax
aphone, fiddle, and guitar
marched toward the fire and sat 'on
stumps nearby. Men and girls
surged onto square of hard-packed
ground and, with partners chosen,
waited for the music to begin.
Breck turned, laughing, as he
drew Louise to him. AT the same
moment he saw Irene watching
from a distance. A cowboy stood
at her side. She held back a min
ute, looking across, then stifly took
his arm.
The music was all but lost in the
shuffiing and babble of voices. Yet
the guitar strummed out its rhythm,
and there was plenty of space about
the blazing logs Breck found him.
self moving with Louise as if in
some freight promenade.
They danced in silence. Tonight
there was that sweet, yielding quail
ity about Louise which made con-
versation needless. She seemed
content held close in his arms as
they slowly circled. Breck felt a
quick, new thrill sweeping his
thoughts clear of all troubles.
The music stopped. Louise drew
away. Breck came back to reali-
ties at the sound of his own voice.
That was an awfully short dance. :"
She smiled up in complete under
standing. Wasn't it, though"
The second began at once and a
jovial-faced cowhand from Jack
sons outfit rushed up to claim her.
Remember" Breck called in
parting, "we're next again"
He strode away to where he had
last seen Irene, wondering how she
would meet him, being prepared for
petulance, or disdain, or even fiat
cutting.
Yet she turned from her first part
ner with gay laugh, sent the boy
off grinning and held out her two
hands.
Gordon; isn't this wildi Don't
you adore it? I'm having simply a
grand timel" She slipped into his
arms readily. Don't let's miss any,
thingi"
Surprised, though concealing, it,
Breck tried to enter her talkative
mood. How different from the last
dance where nothing need be said.
He made conversation to continue
Irene's frivolous banter
She closed her eyes dreamily and
when they passed Louise the first
time was apparently unaware of it.
Then other couples swept about
them and for several minutes they
were among strangers.
Irene clung close to him. Once
she looked into his face, half ex-
planning, "The ground is getting
rough"
When Louise again approached
from beyond the fire, Breck uncon-
sciously moved from Irene's grasp.
She glanced up. "Is the dance
ended, Gordon?" She was tall, and
now, fitting her head, brought her
lips almost to his.
NO" he answered, "but :"
Swiftly she silenced him with a
kiss, long, warm, full upon his
mouth.
He threw his head back, halting.
Cowhands grinned. Louise. passing