A Fool For Love

ounded. Weighed in the balance of the after-thought, his sudden and unpremeditated declarati

d finally, when he could trust himself to speak. "B

ou say you have no right: what have

g, I suppose. But yo

three weeks, and it has proved that you are what M

tha

-given ability to do as he will and to succeed, a

ed, a grim

orld, I believe. Your sisters, most of them, would take it as the sincerest homage th

han nothing. But-but one may care a l

her hand again,

s that my wo

ome here, idling away the precious hours that meant everything to you, and now you come once a

rim smile c

r might say that you hav

n! Is that

You may remember that I told you that first evening I should come as often as I dared. I kne

y you are too kind-or not qu

ould believe you capa

she broke in. "It wa

to try the faith of the loyalest lover: it tried his sorely. Yet he scarcely needed her

find room in the same heart at the same time, and

e spoke again the listening Jastrow

heriff's ready to fly at one another's throats. I was miserably afraid, and I asked U

haste to

is wholly unnecessary. It is more than enough for

him have the crumb o

besides yours. I didn't say I was

some way, though the way didn't offer at the time. There was no danger of bloodshed. I

t was o

ere was the slightest possibility of a fight, I should have m

e waste my sympathy," she

as well. To-night will see the shale-slide conquered definitely, I hope,

m with a little cry

not a little valley just above here-an open place wher

is side of the canyon

ce you have been up

hink. "I don't know

ou or Mr. Adams would have found time to go-to watch

part of the price-paying I spoke of. If anythi

been at work day and night. He has built a track right across yours in that little valley, an

whistle. Then he l

he asked. "There is no possi

hat I didn't know about it until a few minutes ago. What is to be don

track and engine means a crossing fight which can be prolonged indefinitely, with due vigilance on the part of Mr. Darrah's mercenaries. I'm smashed

up and put her

ay you take it

laugh ca

passion to tatters? My a

was, she could not

t know your grandfather's middl

y grandfather had no middle name. But I mustn't k

er. Like a flash she came between, and he

e all this-humbled myself int

me the one priceless w

e cried. "Will nothing serve to

any man than his love for a

uilding your railroad, Mr. Wi

rd as a drowning ma

ia, let me see your eyes-when I h

like men who do things. Good night." And before he could reply she had made h

, though there was nothing visible to indicate it. The Rajah was buried in the depths of his particular easy-chair, puffing his cigar;

lied the firing spark to th

to some one out on the plat

inton. He came to

awoke out of his tobac

phrase: "Did I undehstand you to say that Misteh Wi

difficulty, I believe," she stammered, steering

ajah, rising. "Ah-

p-like, at the mention of his n

d his fireman. Tell him I want t

the Rosemary's engine shook itself free of the car and rumbled away westward. At that, Virginia went ba

you people keep it in here! Cousin Billy, won't you take

he frosty stars he had the good sense to walk her up and down in the healing silenc

uence. He loved her; had always loved her, he thought. Could she no

and put both hand

e he would fain have been the welcome guest, took his punishment manfully, drawing her arm in his and walking he

" she asked softly,

hurts," he answered. "And yet you haven't left me quite desolate,

tha

on your yes or no; or upon possession-it never has been,

usin Billy, I do believe that you are the best

at

ever so little, for some

my work-a work that not a few wise men have agreed could best be done alone. I don't thin

mary the returning engine was rattling dow

," she confessed. "Can't we climb up to the obs

lifting her in his arms over the high railing.

y won't notice," she sai

Utah construction camp lights were darting to and fro; and before long

was rewarded. The huge engine came storming up the grade on the new line, pushing its three flat-cars, which were black with clinging men. On the car nearest

hen the gloom of the upper canyon cleft had engulfed

lare of the passing headlight when a voice, disembodied for the moment,

w back

Jastrow? Let m

mething to say to you-som

her side of the door? I am

g hint, but he w

ne thing in common, Miss Carteret-you and I: that is

h a quick little ge

nough to stand asid

rm in comparison with the chilling iciness of

ton will fail, but I shan't. And when I do succeed, I sha

xcuse me if I say that I don't understand how it concerns me, or

ou very nearly. You are t

if I declin

not entirely prepared. Yet he evinced a willingness

y, I fancy. It would be tantamou

I shall be most happy to drive you to extremities,

ar you conversation-yours and Mr. Winton's, you know; and if Mr. Darrah knew, he would cut you out of his will with very little compunction, don't you think? And,

he never knew what it was that Miss Carteret named him.

once," she said in her softest tone; and before he could obj

and he looked up to glare fiercely at one and then the other of the in

im about his business; which is to win his railroad fight if he can. Mr. Jastrow overheard the conversation, purposely, and as he threaten

ck and white. With the final word of Virginia's explanation the fierce old master of men was up and c

aggage, befo' I lose my tempeh and forget what is due to this young lady you have insulted,

door closed behind him Virginia

been a traitor. But I am little

kly, and a shrewd smile, not unki

known how it would be; a youngeh man would have known. But you have done no unpahdonable mischi

Then he wil

my deah. Your roses will suffeh sadly for