The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-10-26

their love for each other, and determine to
stand together against everyone who might
come between them.
Bruce Landor sat before the rough
plank table in the herder's cabin in
the ravine. The place was deserted
now, the men having gone to the
hills the previous day. The lamp
stood lighted on the table before
him. He had put the place in or
der and was ready at last to leave
for home. He drew together the pa
pers on which he had been idly spec
ulating, making estimates of his re-
turns from the seasons shearing,
and noting the increase over last
years gains. The season had be-
gun auspiciously. He swung quick
ly about in his chair as slight
sound came to him from the door.
Autumn Dean stood there in her
black riding habit, a russet scarf at
Eer throat, the dim light casting lit
tie facets on her brown leather
boots. Her hat was in her hand, and
her hair had blown free. Her face
was a glowing cameo against the
outer darkness.
"Am intruding?" she asked, en-
tering almost hesitatingly. Zone Of
your men told me should find you
here"
Bruce got UP hurriedly> and drew
out the other chair. A flush had
mounted to his brows, and as he
stood for a moment uncertainty be-
fore her. he drew his hand diff
dently back across his hair.
"You certainly aren't intruding,"
he said. IL was just wasting time
with figures. But wherever did you
come from?"
She seated herself and tossed her
hat upon the table.
"Out in the hills" she said. "We
hae an early dinner, and / took a
ride out for look at the sheep. The
men left for the range this morn
ing. The evening was SO soft and
COOL just couldn't 60 indoors.
came deliberately to see you after
got back. You see-I'm a bold
woman, Bruce!"
"I'm glad you are! I've been as
lonely as hell tonight. With the men
all gone"
Loneliness is in the air, guess.
The sound of that darn bell did for
me-"
"Bell?"
"That bell / got from Hector, you
r ~ q n Iv1c y 1n
that father hired last week"
"You mean you sent that Basque
bell of Hector's into the hills? You'd
better not tell Hector that"
"Oh, / don't know. ! think Hec-
tor would understand. That bell
wasn't meant to hang in a drawing
ROOM"
"But it's such a precious thing
out on the range all summer"
''It will come back. It's charmed.
Anyhow like the idea"
Bruce lit cigarette and Autumn,
watching him, thought how we'll
shaped and brown his hands we're.
"May I have one?" she asked.
"Sorry," he apologized. "You see,
in spite of myself, I still think of
you as the little schoolgirl l used to
know"
1.-The one you fought for?" she
asked as she accepted light.
"The same," he replied.
you'll have to get over that,
Bruce" she told him. I'm very
m.ch grown up"
''Perhaps I'm afraid of getting
over il, he said bluntly.
"Ihy?"
"Eecagse-as woman you've
been in my mind constantly ever
since ! saw you again that first
night" Bruce leaned forward Slight
" and looked directly into her eyes.
Ha~ glance fell slowly. and line of
q2;ek pain appeared between her
b-oWs.
".Asd that frightens you, Bruce?''
F. rose abruptly, strobe to the
open door and stood looking out. A
tia:3, misty rain had begun TO fall.
He tossed his cigarette out into the
we. darkness and kept his eyes upon
TIE spark until j. died. He turned
xae-e he stood and looked al her.
Autumn" he said simply. "sos
nate hean liv.r7 IN wai Il Witt