Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1883-09-08

lsc Sfine tlile nuu cdSJ Il rualp- glancc
around the small Lighthouse trey were
To call "home" for the years TO come.
But cara was young and hopeful.
1--WE shall be rich before we know
it," she had cried, gayly, and went on
tacking muslin on the cabin walls, in
lieu of plastering.
The years came and went-the little
flock of sheep grew larger and money
came in a. little more plentifully; but
Mr.. Josslyn had not made "a fortune"
yet, and life on a ranch was not easy.
cara pinned, secretly, for the East. She
hated these desolate plains, the barren
''foot-hills," the eeply-furrowed,
snowy mountains, so different from the
wooded New England hills! The sun
blinded her--it shone in such glaring
way-and she missed the trees! The
few cottonwood trees she detested;
she longed for naples, elms, oaks. II
want real trees or noner' she would say.
A few vines, in summer, were trained
about the cabin-door and windows, and
some wild, pale, pink sweetbrier roses
grew near the house. But cara had not
the heart to cultivate flowers; besides,
her time was well taken up in other
ways. Her days, though monotonous,
were busy ones. She did not dream
often now, unless of the past, and life
was wholly practical to her.
Again the little gilt clock chimed-.
this time, five.
Il wonder father does not GOMEZ ex-
claimed cara, rising from low foot
bench by the fire, where she had been
sitting thinking for the last hour She
went to the window, and parting the
curtains vainly tried to peer through
the darkness. The wind mOaned and
walled, the snow blew against the win
dow-pane. lara shivered and drew
sound of voices. Lamp in hand she
hurried to the door.
$50 right in" she heard her father
say; 'don't wait for me. just tell her
you are from the East-that will be
sufficient recommendation
Then Sara saw her father turn toward
the barn leading another horse beside
his own, and tall man, well mu.lled,
came striding up the path from the
gateway.
"May come in?" asked the stranger,
pausing for moment at the door and
raising a fur cap.
Certainly" replied cara, and re.
treated into the warm, fire-lit room.
The tall man followed, and quickly
divesting himself of his snow-covered
outer wrappings, drew near the blazing
| fire.
"My name is Storey-Williarn Stor.
ey," he said, smiling, "and your father
advises me TO tell you that | am from
the East"
lara smiled also. "Father knows
how glad | am always to see any one
from home," she said.
II have been in Montana, however.
all this fall, >" Mr. Storey went on to say,
"and come here nearly every fall to
hunt. Montana is good hunting ground.
But | have fingered little too long
among the Rockies this time; winter has
oyeriaken met
at is our first real snow storm, but
it makes one feel it ought to be January
instead of only November cara said,
with sigh, as gust of wind beat
wildly against the ranch cabin.
you do not like the West?" asked
her companion, glancing up at the
young girl somewhat sad face.
She was leaning against the mantel-
shelf, unconsciously watching William
Storey as he warmed his chilled hands
before the blaze.
mo; l thought should like It, but
it is very Disappointing" Then, sud-
denly, her face kindling: "Have you
ever been IN Maine? Have you ever
passed through little town called
Laurel?' she asked eagerly.
"Yes, to both questions" replied
Storey, again smiling. IL stopped over
night once at Laurel, on my way to
Mount Desert one summer. 1t is love-
ly little nook"
80, is it not!' cried the young girl,
with almost culver in her voice. ~
lived there once. was sohappy there"
"Shall you not return there some
time?" asked Storey, pityingly, not
knowing what else to say.
eve hope to; but we canset no defn-
| tie time for our return. 1t all depends
on the sheep" said lara, naively.
AS she spoke her father threw open
the front door and came in, well whit
ened by the storm.
lara fastened to help him off with
his great, shaggy, buf1alo-skin coat, and
then drew another chair to the fire for
him.
Almost her first words were: Gath
CT, Mr.. Storey has been to Laurelr'
Mr.. Josslyn laughed.
"You couldn't have been to a better
place, according to this foolish child"
he said, addressing his guest.
Then cara slipped away, leaving the
two men to enjoy the cracking pine
logs, while she prepared something hot
for supper.