The Iron Furrow

urs together on the grass beneath the trees, with the wide mesa diffusing an immense languor, with the mountains bestowing a vast peace, with the brook at their feet murmuring an accompaniment to t

y and their voices gentle. And none, none

as already on roamings of his own. Ruth and Lee therefore went alone up the path through the trees and underbrush, until they emerged in the cool, dusky gorge formed by the contracting of the

xactly affianced, but expect to be. Waiting, apparently. Waiting until he's a professor-and until her health is better, too, I imagine. An a

e began to tell him the names she and Imogene had given them-Bandit's Stair, Devil's Crack, Bear's Hole, and to enumerate those ass

. He noted again, as a quality altogether delicious, the air of unconscious friendliness that he had perceived at their very first encounter. It quite offset the slight touch of obstinacy in her chin-but, in truth, did the latter require an offset? He had earlier thought that with such a trait one could not foretell where its possessor might go, or what d

. "That piece of rock like a man's head an

s block-head

e you've repented and ceased to neglect us, I shall call it after someone else. Perhaps after the stage-driver w

y, for I intend to keep b

e nicest of all,"

ender herself to the enjoyment of the moment; her eyes remaining longer on his, her tones softening to a slow, tender utterance almost

dwelling at such a place, so helpless, so solitary, that her presence appeared a cruel irony of fate. Her homesteading was a desperate clutch at security; and her situation was utterly different from that of her friend, Imogene Martin, who viewed the matter as in the nature of a health-seeking holiday, and who was sustained by the knowledge that she had wealthy relations at Kennard to whom she could return.

nd his eyes rapt on her face, a quick b

go home now," she said, w

said he

nt. Holding his fingers she raised herself upon the tree trunk. But suddenly the bark g

yant's breast the breath had stopped. A fierce passion swept him to hold her always thus, warm and close and secure. His arms trembled at the thought; at which her eyelashes began

e set her o

ost my head altogether. Couldn't help it. I looked at you and-and it j

uncertain, disturbed. But at his words, so palpabl

if we jus

fire in his eyes

inute, those kisses," he exclaime

it," she said, a little confusedly. "I know you meant no discourtesy." He ga

You take an awful

ce more composed. Her eyes gl

whirl and point and waggle a finger at the dumfounded youth. "Are you coming? Because I don't consider this a w

ey went down the cool, dim ca?on, with its honey scent of flowers drifting with them; and though they talked lightly of things o

asion had to share her company with Charlie Menocal, much to his impatience. When Imogene sometimes succeeded in detaining t

gs, my canal and you," he

tantalizingly. "But to esteem an irrigation ditch before me, the idea! What if you had to ch

and the tract to be watered were thus united. Though later, doubtless, it would be necessary to make minor corrections, as always, the surveying was finished. One tracing showed the entire irrigation scheme from the dam

. "We're due for a rest; our job is done for the present. We'll leave the instruments and note-books with t

freight and turned him out to graze. Imogene was nursing an obstinate headache in her darkened bedroom, and Da

n; the more you pick, the more you'll have for supper to-night. And if you don't bring Imo and me a box of chocolates, and a big box, when you come back from where

uttered the final words sent

on them," he

ugh like that. Bonbons do he

e readily assented. The sun was still far from setting; the air between the rocky walls was pleasant; and the ca?on held forth a fresh enticement. They walked for an hour, and though they failed to gain the end of the long mountain crevice they ascended to where the sprin

ave to do with your pr

ished the prel

you were making no progres

als' opposition and tricks, I've established my survey-but don't breathe it yet! And n

red him with

eed," she exclaimed. "You've worked so hard. A

laughed. "I ne

no

ey to be happy

y while hammering out this survey as I'll ever be, that is, happy in my work. Of cours

e touch grew

and automobiles, and servants, and parties, and so on, are things-at least with women-that go a long way toward satisfaction.

ny rate, you've too much common sense ever t

carefully. A young man with money I could be especially nice to, and I mi

ed. "You'd marry no o

g sick of everything and reckless. Look at my hands, all calloused from

her hands and

y as they are; they're l

r vision

and you ought to have all the comforts and pretty things any woman has, for you're too sweet and good for a bare, commonplace life." He pressed gently the fingers he yet retained. "I told yo

t two years in a college, no knowledge of anything that a girl needs to hold a posi

d, and nothing shall stop me, I tell you. Soon I shall have ample means. Within a year or two. Already I've told you I love you, though this you must have known, for I've made no effort to conceal my love. To me

nds on his, while

ean it

ou; I hold you dearer tha

gave was ten

ve you,"

When he kissed her a thrill of passionate desire answered, as when on that fragrant evening in the ca

ive a life of just dreary commonplaceness, alone, uncared for, with no outlook, with no prospect of joys. I want the most there is in happiness-every g

s went close

different now

sense in people not being happy when th

y, we'll be marr

considering this. It, indeed

to make a command on your time at a critical moment, Lee dear. And I must plan clothes and things. Knowing that happiness is ahead of us, oh, homest

g the basket of berries on the way. Once, as they

e spot, as if something would keep me in the miserable place for the rest o

Ruth. A little while

dd, intent, anxious expres

ate mesa get on my nerves. If I thought you were going to stay away from other people, foregoing all the pleasures of cities and the like,

ed indu

my feet-till I get going well-we're both young-and t

e was asleep, when the soft darkness was thickening over

mured, leaving her

tiness, the seeming purposelessness of it all, irritated and oppressed her

f I made a little fool of myself this after