Evening star., 1940-09-12

Craig, I believe you are trying to
get rid of me. Who's idea was 1t
in the first place that I come way
out here to this jumping-on place?
You were certainly willing enough
then that I should ride half the day
and night. And where were you
today?"
Craig flushed beneath his tan. He
did not look at Brick. Most likely
he knew what she was thinking
now If she had not thought 1t more
than once before, and found it dis
turbing-more disturbing than she
cared to admit.
Molly Ready For Ordeal.
Molly put her hand possessively
on his arm, smiled directly up into
his eyes. "Give me five minutes and
I'll be on my way with you"
Craig's reply was even, unac-
cented. "All right, but I'm warning
at one sitting isn't going to be any
joke for either Of U.s."
Molly's hesitation at that was only
slight. Get a good horse ready for
me. III be with you pronto."
Suddenly Brick realized that
Craig and she were alone There
was no doubt in her mind that If
she could have she would have
turned and run away too, but 1t was
too late. He faced her slowly and
the crinkles rushed to the corners of
his eyes. Don't tell me what you
are thinking Let me guess. because
I'm sure I couldn't be wrong Your
eyes are awfully honest at times"
He reached inside his leather jacket
and drew out Bills gun. "Here-I
wish you would give this back to
Bill" He laid the weapon in her
hand, but before she could speak he
went on. Don't ask me what hap
pened down at the corrals tonight.
Carl can tell you the whole story
in his own way lot better than I
can" For moment his eyes mar
rowed and his lips became a thin
line, his entire expression changing
incredibly and with tightening
speed. But I want you to know
that Carl said a lot more down
there tonight than he ever intended
to- I'm riding back to Chuckomoyi
and If certain things turn out as I
expect them to III be waiting for
YOU when you get back there. Then
I expect to finish what I started
to do this afternoon"
She flushed at the thought of that
mad moment in his arms and sud-
denly the decision which had begun
TO take shape in her mind a few
moments earlier reached its climax.
Il wouldn't bother to wait if l were
you" she said with a lift of her
small chin.
He grinned at that. 1T won't be
any bother at all. In fact, I'm 60
ing TO enjoy doing it-for YOU. So
| good-by for now" he added. but his
eyes were not smiling and the Grim
k!es had disappeared as he turned
away and started toward the corrals
Molly called. I'm ready, Craig"
Carl Starts to Explain.
1t was not until the next morn
Ing when arrangements were be-
Ing made TO take Carl back to
! ChuckomoVi that Brick had an ap-
| portunlty to put her decision into
words. She had but few moments
alone with Carl before the start was
MADE out to the Tees-To road to
meet Pete in the station wagon. 50
she said quickly, Craig gave me
Bits gun last night, Carl. He said
You would tell me what happened. >
Carl looked rather more uncom-
lortable for an instant than she
would have thought possible. then
he recovered himself and reached
for her hand, brushing it gently
against his lips. Honey, I don't
want this to hurt you. I'm begin
nlng to realize how you feel about
Craig BradStreet but it doesn't keen
me from loving you-wanting
/ YOU"
Brick swayed a little. feeling
slightly nauseated. her throat ach-
/ ing horribly. I'm sure YOU are
mistaken about how 1 feel about
Craig Bradstreet.' She didn't know
herself right now. He had ridden
away with Molly Winters. He had
told Brick that he would be wait
ing for her at Chuckomovi to finish
what he had started She only
knew that she had to have some
defense against that meeting.
Liz called brightly from beyond
the thin protection of the tent,
May I come IMP" and Brick re-
Piled, "Yes, do, mother"
Liz lifted the flap and came in,
looking first at Carl with. How are
you this morning." and then at
Brick and stopped what further
she intended to say.
Mother, 1 want you to know
that I'm going to marry Carl as
soon as we get back to Chuckomovi
Carl propped himself up on one
elbow, his expression one of sur
prise and bewilderment. Brick
honey" He caught her hand
again, pressing it tight against his
lips. Say that again. Say that you
mean it."
Brick closed her lips and then
parted them again as if with an
effort. "Of course I mean it, Carl.
Isn't that what you have wanted
me to do all along? Isn't that what
you followed me out here for?
Didn't we plan all along to be
married this summer" She talked
very fast, not looking at Liz,
crowding down the tears. why
should we wait any longer? You
have to get back to your business.
I've kept you away from it too long
as 1t is now"
Only Steve Bingo's words from
outside the tent, II think we are
ready to start now," saved her from
a bad moment.
| Copyright, 1910, Chicago Daily News, Inc.
Tomorrow: Disappointment awaits
Brick at Chuckomovi.
Hk.--1. - Dill