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

the pack camp ~ was not Wnen
they started. Soon the Senator took
off his white coat and tried to sit
ON it. A moment later he removed
his tie and hung it on the saddle
horn. He seemed inclined to dis
pose of his shirt also when Mrs.
Sutherland spoke to him.
At the end of two hours they came
onto a shelf where the first long
needle pine offered shade and
spring trickled from the rock. Breck
called a halt, telling everyone to
get off and stretch their legs.
II was while they rested on the
shelf that Art Tillson came swinging
up the trail, driving eight mules and
leading two. He made strong. rug
eed picture. His mules, stalwart.
lean-legged fellows, bore the weight
of salt bags with no effort and
marched past in close formation.
furry ears Topping with each step.
Art himself rode with all the un-
conscious grace of a born horse
man. with broad-shouldered BODY
rolling to the animals gait, his
gloved right hand, holding the lead
rope, braced against his thigh.
From the moment he cleared the
bend of the trail his eyes were upon
Irene. He held them there until he
was almost abreast, then looked
away for a time but turned in his
saddle before passing out of sight
further on.
"Well!" Irene gasped. "Who is
that handsome beast?"
Breck scowled. He's a cowboy
with a herd of cattle here in the
mountains.
did he never see a woman be-
fore? Those eyes! Was he looking at
me or through me?"
"It's hard to ten," Breck an
swered vaguely, preparing to move
on. THAT boy is character UP
here. You won't see him again."
won't I, though! My dear, when
f, a man looks like that, must I be
bIind?"
Breck paused in gathering up his
reins. Eyes, Irene, you must"
"What? Why Gordonl Is this ar
official order-I mustn't want to see
him AGAIN."
Don't use any Of your tricks or
him, that's all. ! can't explain now
"But, my DEAR" Irene smiled
"he's such fine animall"
Breck laughed but put sincerity
into his warning. "You mind the
| ranger!"
After starting the party upward
again, he rode in silence, deep with
in his thoughts. AT this moment HI
would rather have been bringing ,
load of dynamite into the noun
tains than Irene. She was ruthless
He knew it was not beyond her Il
take a curious interest in Art, pla,
him until that was satisfied, thel
| cut him.
Once more that afternoon sh'
turned their talk to him, asking
What will you bet that don't SCI
my cowboy friend before night?"
"You won't" Breck asserted
Hell be halfway over the roof b,
the time we reach the summit"
But woman's instinct was bette
than mans reasoning. When the
came into Summit Meadow at dusk
a campfire was burning at the ful
ther end. Tillson's mules Craze
nearby, and the cowboy sat cool
ing his supper over the flames.
| Immediately Breck turned off Il
ward a stream of water ths
emerged from snow marsh. Fl
saw Irene's eyes smiling at him
feminine triumph. Hating, he dre'
packs from the mules at once, the
spread canvas covers on the pin
needles.
Nov all you folks rest" he sait
"Lie around and enjoy the sunse
I'll have grub for you in a shake.
Enjoy the sunset" the Senate
groaned. my God! If you sa
something about feather mattres.
I'll listen" He climbed stiffiy fror
his horse and slumped onto one {
the canvases.
Supper of steaks he had brougf
from Divine's was a wordless a
fair, and Immediately afterward
all save Irene vanished into thei
tents. She insisted she was not tired
Breck knew better and so left onl
the Goals of their fire. She woul
have to follow the others when ths
scant heat died and the cold nigf
wind sprang up.
They two sat cross-legged wit
fading light between them, the fores
whispering overhead, the crunch {
animals grazing just beyond. One
another sound came into these
Breck stood up, and moving fror
the glow, waited in the shadow:
Tillson's camp was dark. Art migt
have turned in; and still he Nigh
not. That sound had been too muc
like the snap of twigs higher up tn
meadow bank. Yet it was not re
peated and in time Breck went bac
to Irene.
She put up hand when he az
preached, drawing him down besid
her. Her fingers trembled.
"Are you frightened?" he asked
"Of WHAT"
1.-THE forest; the noises"
mot a bit.' Impulsively sh
leaned to him, lifting up her face
giving herself to be kissed.
But he refused. She drew ava
with well affected indifference an
for a moment kicked her boot heel
at the dead Goals. Presently sh
asked, "Do you like your job?"
Never liked one better. It ha
done wonders for me-"
She surveyed him with speculativ
eyes. "It has changed you, Col
don."