Part 20 (1/2)

”The fact is,” Parker said, in his quick, abrupt manner, ”Jim Crow and some of the other boys have warnedoodness the troops were nearer”

The Agent's hard face was very set His final as the key-note of his life His was truly an unsoin' in to sound the warnin',” observed Seth The other nodded

”I'd like to cancel Little Black Fox's pass on Monday,” Parker went on, ”but it would be a bad policy Anyway, if he goes out for a month the others will likely keep quiet until he comes back, unless of course this pass of his has another et on I should give soht word of this to the Rankin people and old Joe Smith, north of you, and any one else you have ti, pass it on”

After a few more remarks the buckboard drove off and Rube and Seth returned to their work The silence between them was broken at last by Rube

”See to that pass”

”Yes,” said Seth, thoughtfully Then, with an io into Beaconor two for it goin' now”

Seth's announcement was received without question by Rube, for there was perfect understanding between thesehis horse from the barn ready saddled for the journey As hetoward hi of a flutter of confusion

She had an unusual color, and her eyes were sparkling Seth noted these things while he appeared to be arranging the contents of his saddle-bags

”Pa says you're going into Beacon Crossing, Seth,” she said without preamble, as she stood at the horse's head and idly smoothed its velvety muzzle with her soft brown hand

”That's so,” the man answered

”I've written a letter to New York for a store price list Will you mail it?”

”Sure”

There was an odd sirl's object in co to him He always called in at the house to ask for letters at the last ht aardness while he waited for the girl to go on

Suddenly Rosebud stooped and ran her hands down the horse's fore-legs Her face was thus concealed

”Seth, I used to think you wanted to get rid of me You remember? Well, I--I think I know differently now I'ry and nasty about it that tiot”

”Ye-es” A soft light shone in the ure One of his hands was resting on the cantle of his saddle, and for a ht He was suddenly swept by a passionate longing that was hard to resist, and his answer cahtly husky tone ”You see, Rosie, when I want to be quit of you, it ain't for anything you do or say, it's---- Guess I htened up, and her bright eyes were s into his face At thatinquiry of theht He vaulted into the saddle almost as he spoke, and, with a wave of his hand, rode off, leaving her undeniably mistress of the situation

She followed him with her eyes as he rode to the kitchen door and hailed Ma Her s her pretty features when he finally headed away for the trail It became more and more tender as horse and rider receded, and at last she turned aith a sigh

”I wonder what he'd say if he knehat I've prohed a sudden, wilful laugh as she reiven hio his way Another interruption occurred about half a mile from the farm, where the trail dipped so that he was completely hidden fro steadily on, but, since the sound of his horse's hoofs reached her, she had been waiting at the roadside

He greeted her and would have passed on, but she stopped hiue

”It is of Rosebud,” she said, her dark eyes looking solereat chief, he love her, and in his love is danger for her I coood

You know Indian as no other knows, 'cep'I tell her to-day You I tell too, for you have er? What is it?” Seth's questions came very sharply