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Show BY WILL SEAT. . ELEN trembled when J&Bfytfpfil Bobby Ellis detached J? IwM nllm himself from the H PV9I Mjfl wallflowers at tho ffl SLjrf HP Bchcolhouse dance J O'ftym r and slouched across Jlilimi I the floor toward her, Q RS He crooked his elbow Ffrggggffilal and Jerked his hoad MWm in a stiff bow. In Salt Peter Creek this pantomime pan-tomime was the customary cus-tomary Invitation to dance. The girl glanced across the ronm and breathed a sign of relief when she eaw thaj; her father's . broad back was turned toward them. Bobby Ellis noted the Hesitation and smiled tolerantly. Helen's hand slipped slip-ped into his arm and in another moment mo-ment they were waltzing to the strains of violin and cornet Bobby's arm clasped her closely and she could L feel the heavy thumping of his brave heart. "I expect your pa will be kind of wrathy ahout this dance but there was something I had to say to you," 6aid Bobby presently. "I don't care if he Is just once." said Helen, recklessly. "That's a proper spirit, mv clrl." approved Bobby. "He still holds you to vour promise to marry Rawlins?" ' "Yes." "And you told him you'd be a dutiful duti-ful daughter and marry the old skin-flint, skin-flint, 6o's they could Jlnr all their land together and mak1 the biggest range in tho country?" His voice was caressing In Its softness, but Helen trembled at its hidden menace. "Nothing more has been said. T suppose father takes It for granted, after your quarrel with him. He know! that I haven't Eeen you until tonight. I hope he won't make trouble." "He's harmless for awhile " grinned Bobby as he turned her past her par ent's broad back," "Who's that hc'3 talking to?" "A lady friend of mine." J "A friend of yours?" inquired Helen I with a catch in her voice. "Yes I just made 'em acquainted. Tour pa will enjoy her right well." "Who is she, Bobby?" "Mrs Watkins Sally Watklns- the Widder Watkins from Chinquapin." "O!" gasped Helen, for she had heard of the gay Widow Watkins who had created havoc with the hearts of the cattlemen and whose nnnio had been coupled with Bobby Ellis lately. Helen looked hard at tho fascinating fascinat-ing widow who was talking earnestb to Mr. Main. Mrs Watkins was evidently evi-dently vain of the wealth of red hnlr that was generously streaked with white, for she made no attempt to conceal its piebald effect. She had o round pink and white face, sweet and good humored, and her smile was good to see. "She looks sweet," said Helen tn spite of the wave of jealousy that rushed over her. "She Is a sweet, good little woman, and she's seen a heap of trouble." said Bobby emphatically. "Tho best day she ever had was the ono on which she planted old Watkins." "Was he old?" asked Helen faintly "About Rawlins' nc." returned Bobby mercilessly. "She married to help ber folks along The fellow sh loved was poor then, but he married and is pretty well off now as rich Bfl vour pa and as sour disposition-ed'" disposition-ed'" "Perhaps thev will marry now is he is widower?" "Yes, he's free enousrh but whether they marry or not hm." "In that what you wanted to tell me1" asked Helen coldlv. "Something like that." returned Bobby Ellis In her pink ear. "I'm going to be married tomorrow morning morn-ing " The girl in his arms stiffened a lit-1 tie and her hands grew cold. All the pretty color was drained from her ! checks She moved her lips to make reply, but no sound came. "I was going to ask your pa to I drivo you over to the ceremony the parson at Red Spider will tie the knot" I Helen laughed. "That's funny 1 was telling father the other day that I I had never been to a wedding in my life. It's good of you to ask us to i your wedding." "I hope you'll come everything's, nrraneed I even got the ring right here'" Mr. Ellis thumped his vest' pocket suggestively. "Is Is Mr6. Watklnss " Helen's voice died away In an agonized whisper, whis-per, Bobby Ellis paid no attention to j that. "The widder? Bless your heart, yes couldn't do the stunt without her!" he said cheerfully. Helen waB game. "We will some." 1 "WONT YOU CONSENT. DAD?" she said decisively. "If father won't I will come alone." "Good for you!" "What time is it to ber' "Ten o'clock sharp. You know where the parson's house is?" "Yes." "The widder wanted me to ask you to wear white you ice she's set on wearing blue and she says If you should wear pink or red or anything like that It would make her dress! look llko an Indian blanket on a piebald pony. I hope I get those colors col-ors correct her hair's rod, you know," "Red and white." corrected Helen sweetly. "Thank you." said Bobby solemnly as ho led her to a soat. "I reckon this is tho last dance youll ever have with mo as a care-free bachelor. Next time I'll be an old married party!" "I suppose so." eald Helen. "I must go hunt your father up and tear that there little widder away i from his fascinating attentions," cried Bobby gayly. "See you at 10 tomorrow?" tomor-row?" "Yes." Sure thing?" "Yes." "Good," said Bobby, and if Helen could have seen his face sho would have noticed that there was a strainer! strain-er! look in his eyes. Sho saw nothing save the curiously streaked hair of the widow, Watkins and Bobby's tall form bending over her as he calmly carried her away from Big Bill Main. Helen's father. Mr. Main's eagle eyes roamed the rnnm Q n rl f,ir. j i.t A m vL I mjm m.U face staring appeal at him. The big cattleman's harsh face seemed curiously cur-iously softened as he met her appeal-I appeal-I ing glance, and his oyee wore a hurt look as he pushed his fingers through j ills grizzled hair " "Well, daughter?" he asked. "Are you ready to go, dad?" "Right and ready," ho returned promptly. When he drove up to tho door In the buckboard Helen was standing on the steps muffled in wraps. It was cool outside and she shivered. As they were about to drive off the lean . form of Jim Rawlins pushed close to the wagon. 'See here. Helen." he whined, "you "It's mockery for me to wear white 'H waa engaged to me for the Saratogy today." she whispered to herself, for HkBHI Lancers you know I can't dance any her face was whiter than her frock- HBH of them round danccB, and I been Impulse "would have taken her a HBBflH waiting for you they're starting up j thousand miles In tho opposite direc- HHbBbI now; tlon from the scene of Bobby Ellis' IbLtASbI "I'm sorry, Mr Rawlins," she was redding, but sho understood, or BBHIH beginning when her father cut In thought sho did, why he asked her HMBflBBl roughly. to bo there. !iHHHbH "Let her alone, Jim she's all tired It was common gossip !n Budlong flHHH out." and with a vicious cut at his County that Bobby had been devoted SBmH horses dashed away, leaving the an- to Helen, and her presence, as well BsfHB j gry Rawlins staring after them. as her father's there today would RmSkflfl Tho long drivo back to tho ranch Blin evor? lce. HfflifflB was a silent one. When they came Mr. Ellis and the widow were wait- 99B9n witnin sight or the lamp in tho win- ,n? in tho parlor of the parsonage. KraBflLl daw Helen ventured to break the Bobby was looking white and stern, HraraH silence. and the widow was very lovely In IBHbbbwB "Dad, Bobby Ellis and Mrs. Wat- na,(st h'p that matched her eyes. TCkSHSj kins are going to be married at 10 i "Before I call In the Bky pilot," said EaPflSr o'clock. I promised I'd go to tho wed- Bobbv rather nervously, "I want to iHksSKS ding. Will you drive me over?" sa' 'bat this is a game I did it to BsfwKfi Bill Main stifled an oath, "Yes Bet Helen hero and the widow help- WHMSHBB I'll drive you over, Nelly," he said I ed " He Scared his throat and iKgro'WwB softly Helen's eyes filled with tears stared defiantly at Bill Main, but bTOhSBlGII he had not called her Nelly since 1 Ta1n as looking at his daughter. TJjBtag) she was a little girl. "I'm going to marry Helen now, and Hfimffig "I promised Mrs. Watkins I would 1 d rntner d It with your conBent iflffiffrfffi come." He spoke in a queer voice tnan wltll0Ut- sir. What you got to Ei8SjHi-il& "You knew her before?" asked say?" Helen with sudden intuition of what Before Mr. Main could frame a re- K5K3 was to follow nh Helen had rushed Intn Hnhhv'a K&raDralH "Yes 6he did what I tried to make I arms, her face rose pink with sudden KkNwIh you do Married an old man and I Joy. lost her. It's too late now for me to I "Tbero's the answer, Bobby," said 'tBSi make good to you, daughter, but I'll Bill Main seriously, but his face ElPSaP send Rawlings packing tomorrow. It's! glowed as if a new light had been iRaiw retribution on me for standing be- kindled within his heart Kfvlsi tween you and Bobby." ..If j,ou and Mrg Walkin8 Will stand R!3 YOU mean-that you care for her Up with us-we'll do as much for you IfM&roB no.; fa,her? whispered Helen. 60me day," suggested the joyous Bot&S . - . . ' , , bridegroom boldly. K:Hi2gw Helen leaned hr head against her nm u.i.i .v . KUsS father's shoulder and presently his h,?JlL"JM Gt th? PleadlnS arm encircled her. lue ones of the PreU' widow whom RSSS The next morning Bill Main and his nC9 l0VGd aud l08t only t0 ro' daughter drove to the parsonage in Red Spider. While Mr Main tied his i "Might as well take you up now W?::Z"Wa horses Helen smoothed the white ' and make a double knot of It," said w-rVMiM lawn gown that sho wore out of Mr Mo!n "What say, Sally?" 'Ietf courtesy for the Widow Watkin's red "That is what Bobby and I plan- ilySrr hair. ned." said the widow demurely. few |
