The banner-enterprise. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1883-18??, 1883-08-16
Mr.. Josslyn laughed

Then Zara slipped away, leaving the
two men to enjoy the cracking pine
logs while she prepared something hot
for supper. In Il short time she re-
appeared and said
1--WE use our kitchen for dining
room. llyou come to supper please;
Storey rose Immediately, and with
his host followed the young girl into
a low-ceiled but exquisitely ne It room.
Zara presided at the head of the
small round dining-table, and poured
fragrant coffee into quaint, real china
cups.
"These came from home" she said,
proudly, a she handed William Storey
one of the dainty blue and white treas
ures.
The evening was spent in pleasant
chatting, and p ls,el so delightfully."- to
the Young girl that she fairly stared at
the little clock when it struck IL.
A bed was made up in the "best
room,' as Mr.. Josslyn's cramped she'd
| tedroom, opening, as Iara's did, out
of the kitchen, was MT deemed sutli-
GENTLY comfortable 7 the guest. And
when William Storey fell asleep that
night he dreamed of the little red
curtaincd room in which he lay, and
saw Zarl'S pretty, giriish face with the
fire glow upon it, just as he had seen
it when awake.
The next morning the sun shone
brightly, but all about the ranch lay
the snow in cleaning white drifts.
You had better remain with us to-
day. said Mr.. Jos'lyn after breakfast,
glancing out the window as he spoke.
81 should like to- said Storey, but
| think / ought to 60 back to Boze-
man. My room. mate (another East
ern man, Miss Josslyn) will be looking
for me. If you will let me, l will ride
out in a day or two and see you again,
for next week 60 home"
Zara gave little longing sigh at his
last words. lie was going home.
How she wished she could gol
Later she stood with her father in
the doorway and watched their guest
depart. The sunlight fell full upon
her wistful young face, and Storey
thought how very pretty she was as he
rode away.
In few days he returned, as he had
said he would. Zara received him
with evident pleasure.
"Father has gone to look after the
sheep she said, "but he will be home
to dinner. He will be very glad to see
you, know
Storey sat down on the rude, home
made lounge, and CARA took her
favorite seat, the foo.-bench by the
fire
81 90 home tomorrow" said Storey
-"go nome, mean,l to your dear
East" smlingly.
$50 soon = cried the young girl.
81 am coming back next fall-for
another hunt. May come and see
you them"
"You will never come said Zara
simply.
II will never come! Why?' asked
the young man in surprise.
"lou will forget all about us in that
time-a whole year from now"
"Suppo>e don't forge, will you be
glad to see me when come" inquired
Storey with sudden eagerne's, and
leaning towarl Cara so as to get a
better view of her half-averted face.
"Yes, shall lie glad to see you.
The answer sounded little cold,
but Storey was not dissatisfied, some
how.
1t was late in the day-not until
after dinner, some time, that the young
man took his departure. lie rode away
with no little reluctance, and Iara
fingered long in the doorway watching
him.
The short Montana summer was
barely over-the cottonwood trees
were still yellow-and the air was yet
quite warm and pleasant, when one at
ternoon, toward sunset, CARA looked up
from her sewing and saw a tall, hand
some man coming toward the house on
horseback.
"Mss .Iosslyn!" cried Il well-re-
mpmbered voice.
Zara rose, trembling Il little, from
the doorsteps where she had been sit
ting. She wore quite joyous eX-
preston, Storey thought, secretly
pleased, as he left his horse to Craze
by the gate and fastened toward the
young girl.
Are you glad to see me?' he in
quired, eagerly, taking Iara's hand.
"You know | am glad " she eX-
Gained, her face flushing under his
earnest gaze. Father and | have
talked of you so often" she went on;
"you know our life is so quiet and
monotonous here that your coming to
us last fall was quite IN event"
Il an very glad. My coming
to you was quite an event
to me- | assure you. In all my
ramblings snce / left you during the
gay season at the seaside This summer,
event. could not get this lonely little
ranch out of my head, somehow.
Your wistful face haunted me--indeed
it did | grew unreasonably impatient
TO see-well, Montana again. tried
to reason with myself you had for
gotten me, most likely, l Thought but
in vain pictured you about you,
everyday life could see the shadow
deepening in your eyes-and one day
cried aloud 1t is shame for so
young creature to be buriedp And
few hours later | was on the train,
bound for Montana"
William Storey had spoken with no
little eagerness and excitement, and
as cara sat beside him on the steps,
and listened. her cheeks had grown a
deeper crimson.
She did not speak at first when he
i. =. .ssHf