The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-08-11

few cottonwood" trees she detested;
she longed for naples, elms, oaks. Il
want real trees or none" 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 lara 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.
81 wonder father does not GOMEZ ex-
claimed lara, 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
back. As she did so she caught the
sound of voices. Lamp in hand she
hurried to the door
go right in she heard her father
say; "dont 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 muffled,
came striding up the path from the
gateway.
MAY come IMP" asked the stranger,
pausino for moment at the door and
raising 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-William Stor-
ey," he said, smiling, land your father
advises me to tell you that | am from
the East"
lara smiled also. "Father knows
how glad 1 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
overtaken men'
cit 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 a gust of wind beat
wildly against the ranch cabin.
"You do not like the West?" asked
her companion, glancing up at the
young girls somewhat sad face.
She was leaning against the mantel-
shelf, unconsciously watching William
Storey as he warmed his chilled hands
before the blaze.
mo; I thought 1 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.
Eyes, 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"
go, is it notr' cried the young girl,
with almost CULVER in her voice. 81
lived there once. l was so happy theren'
"Shall you not return there some
time 2,3 :, asl-ad- tStesSo- say:
eve hope to; but we can set no defn-
lite 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, buffalo-sllin coat, and
then drew another chair to the lire for
him.
Almost her first words were: Gath
er, Mr.. Storey has been to Laurel!'
Mr.. Josslyn laughed
you couldn't have been to better
place, according to this foolish child, ."
he said, addressing his guest
Then lara slipped away, leaving the
two men to enjoy the cracking pine
logs, while she prepared something hot
for supper.
"Well," observed Mr.. Josslyn, after
his daughter had gone, ''you were
about lost-completely lost!-when |
come up with your' And he gave an
amused glance at his companion. as
though being lost was rather a comical
Il should think SOP exclaimed
Story. eff you had not come along
just then / should most likely have
spent the night on the plains. 1 could
not see which way to turn-in fact, |
could not see any trail-the storm was
so binding! 1t was worse than folly,
my leaving Bozeman for ride on such
an afternoon. | might have known it
would storm! But it only threatened
when | set out"
care you acquainted much with the
country about here?" asked Mr.. Joss
lyn.
81 ought to be-" said Storey, smil-
ing; 81 hunt in these parts every fall. -
you don't say so! Come way to
Montana to hunt! You must be very
fond of the sportt'
very. Montana is a good country
for hunting, too. 1 guess that's all Miss
Josslyn would admit it was good for, !"
added the young man, again smiling,
as he recalled lara S pensive young face.
''She hates it; l can see that Mr..
Josslyn said, in confidential tone;
''but she knows we have got to STAY
here for the present, anyway; so she
makes the best of it. Our ranch is not
very cOmfOrtahle-not nc oon,for+o lI -