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Eve's Decision
Was Final
Romance of the Heiress of
Double X Ranch.
By CLARISSA MACKIE
The morning sunshine streamed
through the open windows of the
ram h house, where Seba Winton and
tils daughter sat at breakfast. It
strengthened the do*p bronze of Seba’s
cheek and brought out high lights In
Eve’s eopper colored hair.
"You look like you wasn’t feeling up
to the scratch, honey," said Seba so
llcitiously. ‘1 reckon all this dancing
and nlghfalntin entertainments ain’t
good for little girls."
"Jtn all right, dad.” said Kve listless
ly. "only it’s tired sort of weather, you
know." She looked past him through
the eastern window where the outline
«f th" sun scorched bills melted Into a
tjepin haze.
"J • t me see, honey. I most forgot
bo\. long you and Buck's been engag
ed." he said, with clumsily assumed
carelessness.
Eve reddened from brow to cbin, and
the fork in ber hand rattled to the
floor. She laughed nervously—Eve
who had never confessed to nerves in
all her free young life—and still kept
eves Jbe eastern hills.
“Oh, I believe it’s three years, dad.
It’s funny, but I’ve almost forgotten
tour’
Seba Winton got upon his feet and
pa used behind her chair.
"J don’t want to lose you, Evle, but
If you’re keeping Buck waiting be
cause of your—your sense of duty to j
me—why, you needn’t mind I only
want you to be happy." He kissed the
top of her head and hastily left the !
Tooni.
When the Chinese servant had re
ceived his orders for the day Eve put
■oti her riding things and went to the
corrst.
-.Uni. where is my father?” she ask
ed of the lad who saddled the roan
mare.
“tie went to the guleh with Wade.
There’s some dispute over a fritter
witli three brands, and Mr. Wlnton’s
Rone over to see about it.”
I -d -i-tu watched jjve curiously as she
ttoun'fed and rode away without her
accustomed gay leave taking.
* "If it’s that skunk of a Muck Miles
that's making her look that way I’ll
smash ids head!” muttered Jim, for
SEve was adored hy every member of
:lb** i motile X outfit.
The .night before there had been a
•dance aft the gulch sehoolhouse. and
the waiting sweetness of the violins
( A
r ’’ISN’T TO IB tOVEUfT’ kaKED EVX
*LUI haunted her ears with irritating
.persistence irritating because the
had been such an unhappy
one Tot poor Eve.
». jphp had goue to the dance with her
fJiTfirtn. as usual, but Seba Winton had
.rwnntiHMi only ioug enough to deliver
Jiis daughter into tier lover’s care, and
Then be had departed for home and
am.curly bed.
* T'o Eve it seemed that the evening
would never end. Buck bad danced
junta* »Jth her and after that had open
*n> rlevtrtvd himself to black eyed Mat
nie V<w«g. doffbe wondermeut and dis
cus! of the male guests.
Jive, pale and frightened at what
slie "knew not threatened to destroy
.tier happiness, did not lack for part
-nrrs They swarmed about her like
uk-s. anti There were much laughter
*wl merriment among them, for to a
man they strove to eliminate cbe idea
«bat Eve was being neglected by Buck
.Miles
JEr>* remembered their efforts with
•tomri gratitude. mid she recollected
ittwft the new srhoollwicher unheut
frwus diis dignity and dmiced with her
times. He talked to her in his
pleasant, well modnttrted voice. hut tu
*d*y five could <n«t recall a word of
their eonversotion. Site only knew
Hh«t she had felt n sense of protection
dn bis tall, broad shouWk-red tigure and
:io the warm kindliness of his voice.
.A.ud wher/it was all over the school-
teacher had gone home with her. To
Evt'S consternation. Buck Miles had
disappeared before the last dauce with
pretty Martha. She was quivering
under tills last insult when out of the
chaos of the evening had come Philip
I.andon's deep voice, ringing clear and
insistent above the chatter and move
meat of departure.
"I hope you have not forgotten your
promise that I shall take you home.
Miss Winton," he said, and every one
heard him and was glad Although no
such promise had been asked or given.
Eve had smiled and taken his proffer
ed arm and entered the waiting buggy
And now, after a sleepless flight, she
was racing over the parched ground,
riding away from Bookman Miles'
property, which bordered ber father’s
ranch on the south.
Over to the south, away from which
she was now riding, lay the I.azy O
ranch, of which Miles was the owner.
Eve Winton and Buck Miles had
grown up together, and every Incident
in Eve's happy, care free existence
seemed to have been interwoven with
that of tier neighbor, it was quite nat
ural that luter they should fall des
perntely In love and become engaged
But there it bad paused, for three
years had passed since Buck had slip
ped a diamond ring upon Eve’s slim
finger, and Buck had never mentioned
their marriage, except in the most
casual manner, ns something very fai
ahead In the future.
Suddenly came the pounding thud ot
hoofs along the trail behind. She did
not turn around even when the swifi
gallop broke Into a trot and some one
rode at her elbow.
Of course it was Buck Miles, eager
iiltfl fepoctiUlt j’fter his Insults of th»
ev’eulng before.
"You need not follow me," said EvP
coldly and without turning her head
"1 prefer to be quite alone."
‘With a startled ejaculation the un
seen rider turned and galloped rapidly
along the trail.
This action was so unlike Ruck mat!
Milos that Eve turned and looked aft
or him.
To her honor It was not Buck Miles
It was I’hilip l.andrn
I’laclng both hands to her lips. Eve
hallooed with piercing sweetness. I.an
don turned, hesitated, and tlien swung
\ about and came toward her.
"You wished to speak to me?” he
questioned gravely.
i "Oh. lam so sorry that 1 spoke in
that way-you see, 1 didn’t know it
was you J thought it was some one
else.” faltered Eve with drooping eyes
and shamed cheeks.
A light of understanding flashed into
the young man’s eyes and then was
subdued.
"Thank you for explaining.” he said
soberly, “but I shall not take it amiss
if you prefer to lie alone.”
”1 shall be glad if you trill come
with me.” she said cheerfully. “I’m
going to ride to Devil’s fork.”
IJe looked at the brazen sky.
“I hflvdl.v believe it will rain today
but is there water at Devil’s fork?”
“Plenty of sweet spring water.” was
Eve’s reply, and then they rode on
side by side, with now and then a
brief interchange of words concerning
the heat of the ascending sun or the
danger of grass (ires, for the crisp
herbage was crackling under their feet,
so dry had been the Jong season.
I.andon found himself watching the
changing expressions on Eve’s sweet
face. There was something irresisti
hie in the soft curves of tier tips and
the upward sweep of tier long, dark
lashes.
Suddenly she turned toJiim.
“You were very kind Jast night,”
she said Impulsively.
“Yon were kind to me.” he chided
gently. "1 am afraid I bored 1 you with
my talk about myself.”
“That was only part of your feted «
ness.” she retorted, and after rten >
I.andon was silent.
They bad descended a long stepe I
and were now in the cool shadow of j
another range of hills, higher, and
broken here amt there by small can
yons. Toward one of these-they were
riding.
"Where Is the devil, nndwhere are
his forks?" asked Landon curl oasis*
ms they entered the canyon.
"Walt." replied Eve. .
They passed a»o«g a narrow trail «no |
emerged n;ion a dark and gloomy cam j
yon whose steep sides were ciutbert in j
cottonwoods.
A little to the right of the trad » rami-j
white torrent gushed ont of file rwkss
and, spilling itself Into fitree worn
chnnnels. it meed across the cun you t*>
disappear in a bailing froth of bum j
among a heap of bowlders.
Under the cottonwoods there was
grateful shade and the promise of
green grass for the horses.
“Isn’t this lovely?” asked)Eve after
she had pointed out to herreomyanion
the stream with Its forks *wbica gave
The place Its name.
•i didn't know that such a retreat
existed in the neighborhood.” criedi
Landon enthusiastically. "Shall we
sit under the shade yonder*?"
-Us, after poor Peggy bus had :v
drink or the best water tn the world:”
laughed Eve as she slipped from the
saddle.
London produced u folding drinking
cup. and the man and the girl quench
ed their thirst befoue l*eggy n ad*'the
schoolmaster's black, horse were led to
lhe stream. Then, while the animals
nipped eagerly at the green grass along
the waterside. Eve him! her companion
sat down under the cottonwoods-.
Eve quite forgot her troubles as she
listened to Vhilip London's soothing
voice. He talked of many things—of
places he had visited, of people whom
he had met and of tunny amusing inci
dents in his eventful life.
And while they sat there a clatter
sounded on the stones and a horseman
flashed into view.
it was Km-k Miles, pale beneath his
tan, his hlm-k eyes flashing and his
THE COFFEE COUNTY PROGRESS, DOUGLAS, GEORGIA
• andsome face carved into grim lines
if resolve.
"Eve!" he railed.
Eve arose and walked out to the
edge cf the trail.
"You are calling me?" she asked
coldly.
lie nodded and held out a glittering
diamond ring.
"I got this awhile ago Why did you
send it back?"
"You know why I returned it."
"1 didn't suspect you of petty Jeal
ousy. Eve.” lie Hashed.
"1 am not jealous now. Buck." said
Eve quietly. "You are free to make
your choice now. I cannot marry you."
"Why? Has that white livered school
teacher”—
Philip London stepped out beside
Eve.
"You are shunting so load I can't
help bearing what you say." lie said
grimly. "If you have any grievance
with me we'll have it out together.
There is no necessity for annoying
Miss Winton
Buck Miles glared at Landon.
•Til have It out with you whenever
and wherever 1 please!" he raged
"What do you mean by going home
witli iny girl Inst night?"
"If you will get off your horse !’!;
knock you down for that,” returned
YjjlJJ if mi
Wi r
‘DON'T SHOOT. IDCK," SHE SAID TENSED!’ |
London coolly. of that gun
play. Any coward can shoot an un
armed man ”
Buck's band dropped from his nip.
At the same moment he slipped from
the saddle and came toward the school
master.
"What right yon got to dictate to
m<»?” lie demanded fiercely. “If you're
going to marry Eve—why. then—l sup
pose f Jiaven't got any right to inter
fere, seeing that she’s sent me back
my ring. What yon got to say, eh?”
Landon found himself looking down*
the blue mo-nth of Buck's gun.
"Leave .Miss Win-ton's name out of
the matter.” ordered Landon.
“If sibe’.s going to marry you I'll ler
von off. but if you’re just butting in.
thinking y«n cun make-me jealous just
to pay rse back for—for wlaat I didn’t
do last might, why"— He smiled sig
niHcantly.
Eve realized shut liuekrroan Miles
was drunk. She looked* at London’s
set face. n*t»d slie knew that be was
chivalrous Ke> the paint of folly.
“One!’’ cried Buck ominously.
Landon smiled.
Eve's hand went out*
“Don't shoot; Buck.” sts<r said tense
Jy. “You have uo light* to make me so
unhappy.”
“You mean—yon Iwve t?«H- feJlowV’'
asked Buck brokenly.
Eve flushed* scarier, and she looked
from one stem face to- the other. As j
tier eyes met Lundo-ts!*- a great and 1
blinding light seemed to-open* her eyes j
to a wonderful foot.
She was quite pale whets- she faced
Stuck Miles.
“Yes.” she said: situptv-..
Buck's hand dropped* and he stared
«>pou mouthed. "Well." be sard awk
wardly. "all's well thntT ends well. 1 j
.guess. Mattie wiade me-come ever and
bring this ring back te- you. S-be said i
J wasn’t tmi King yom fairly, but if
you don’t want, it—if you. really love
.Landon here— l guess- there isn’t any
leasnn why I can't go hack aid marry
Mattie”-
“Hnve you seen MSss Ytt-ang this
morning?” asked Landon.
“No.”
“Before i left: *.ne gulch Postmaster
Squires told me tlaa® his son had
*4wped with Idiss Young early this
morning and that they left word they
were to be married in Foster before
noon.”
"It’s a lie!” shouted Buck and.
throwing himself ou his horse, dashed
out of the canyon and disappeared.
Philip ljiudon turned bis blue eyes
on blush ag Eve.
"I’m sure you saved my life. He
was blind with rage and drink Al
though 1 have Hvvcd yon ever since we
first nac: a year ago. i shall not hold
you t» that statement so rashly given
to save my life.”-
"You love me?” whispered Eve in
credulously.
“Yes.”
“Then.” said Eve. who had learned
i so much in the last few minutes—
! “then 1 shall not retract my state
men t r ’
“And we are engaged?” London's
arms were around her and his eyes
looking down into hers.
“i hope so.” answered Eve demurely.
Jc S. Lott, Douglas, Georgia
DEALER IN BT=T*»
Mules, Horses, Wagons, Buggies
Hariiess, Sash, Doors, Lime, Ce
ment, Plaster, Brick, and all
kinds of Builders’ Hardware.
Wire fencing, All kinds of im
proved Farming Implements,
Galvanized and Rubber Roofing,
Paints, Oils, Window Glass, and
Builders’ General Supplies.
Your Patronage will be greatly
* APPRECIATED &
J. 8. Lott, Telephone No. 77
Douglas, Georgia
The Grocerymen
Our Stock of Grocer
ies is Fresh and com
plete, Phone us be
fore beginning a meal
We have it, A nice
line of fruits always
on hand. . . ,
207 E. Ward-st, Phone 83
Douglas, Georgia