Hope Hathaway

i. As far as the eye reached not a fence could be seen, yet four barbed-wires, str

iven north by his cowboys, though at this time it was more profitable to ship in Western grown stock. He must have known that this

lands extended beyond his good eyesight, were not these interlopers squatting on every mile of creek in the surrounding country? The open range would some time be a thing of the past. That green ridge of mountains to the west,-his mountains, his a

ed Chinese servant, could bring him into his usual jovial spirits. After glancing through a week-old newspaper and finding in it no solace for his ugly mood, he threw himself down upon his office lounge, spreading the paper

e this habit imperative. This day his mood brought him into a condition where he felt no desire to sleep, so he concluded, but he m

It was spoken vehemently, with all the distinctness of a clear-toned voice. A man rep

word if I went away, so I intend to stay right here. Do you know, Hope, when you get mad like that you're so devilish pretty that I almo

n,-given you everything he would have given a son? Oh!" she cried passionately, "I can't bear you in this new r?le! It

other--" he

e had no more responsibility here. You know your ground well enough there." Then with growing anger: "Don't you ring in my mother on me! I tell you I wouldn't marry you if I never got mar

orner of his office and grasped the offender by the coat collar. Then the slim young man was lifted, kicked, and tossed alternately from off the earth, while the girl stood calmly to one side and watched the perform

nd get off this ranch or I'll break every bone in your damn body! You will treat my girl like that, will you? You young pup

an would find it worth risking his neck for her!" Then he moved slowly away,

, and don't talk back to me!" he

gain." Without waiting for her cousin's reply she ran into the house, while he lost no time in leaving the ranch, riding at a rapid gait toward

eems to me, James," turning to her husband with some impatience, "that you might try to be a little more prompt in getting to

m sorry to have kept you waiting, but

even if your wife and family do not," continued the lady.

apparent. Her husband appeared a

ties of the household to her young shoulders. When this question was asked she gave her father a quick glance. Would he acknowledge the truth? Evidently

hobos are taking it up for is in expectation that I'll buy them out. Well, maybe I will, and again maybe I won't. I'd do

hese people?" she asked, her face settling into its natur

e none the less rude. Why do you allow her to say such things to you, James? You have succeeded in spoiling her

ughter-his only child, and dear to him, too. If she had expected that he would defend her it was only for a passing instant, then she returned to her natural gravity. Her face had few expressions. Its chief c

ost as brown as an Indian maid, and easily might have passed for a half-breed, with her blue-black eyes and hair of the darkest brown. But if she had Indian blood she did not know it.

ad what Mrs. Hathaway termed queer ideas, due, as she always took occasion to explain to he

had resolved never to go away to school, and had set her small foot down so firmly that her mother was obliged to yiel

. Some people were unkind enough to say that it was a relief to Hathaway to have the place to himself, and certain it is that he never made any objections to the arrang

ad exalted ideas of what a man should be. That her father fell below her standard she would not acknowledge. She loved him so, was proud of his good points, and in many ways he was a remarkable man, his greatest weakness, if it could be called tha

after a moment of silence adroitly changed the subject by inquiring of Hop

e, but a school-teacher. They have some sort of a country school up there in his neighborhood, and I think, from what he said, and what some of the boys told me, that he must be the whole school board-clerk, trustees, and everything. He was on his way over to the Cros

you wouldn't talk so intimately with such people; it's below your dignity. If Sydney were here he would ag

nce. Surely he would say something now! The question trembled

you answer; are you dumb?" said her mother,

"but I think it would be safe to say that he is riding toward

Cresmonds to-morrow! You must be mistaken. Please do not include me in yo

nswered. "I can't keep track of everyone on the ranch." The girl's face turned pale under her tan. She

e had a little scene this morning, Sydney and I. He proposed to me." She hesitated an instant, turned and caught her father's nervous, anxious look d

from the ranch," ga

e girl quietly. It

m away, or even refusing him, I'd like to know! What if he is your cousin-your second cousin? Oh, you have no consideration for me, none-you never had! How can I ever endure it here on this ranch three whole months without Sydney! It was bad enough before!" She

hands implorin

ying," he answered soothingly. "Hope, fetch your mot

led his unhappy wife from the room, leaving Hope alone with the empty wine glass in her hand. She stood so for a mo

r-no one." A queer look crossed her face; determination settled over her, as with a sudden, vehement mot