Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-06-27
ridge, and they can buy a dozen if they

ridge, ana they can buy uoZen ii tney
wish"
But the result of the matter was that
after dinner, she attired herself in q
brown cashmere dress, whose color well
suited eyes of hazel and golden hair, and
started with the saucepan to their neigh
boris tent.
The doors were tied back, and seated
within on camp chair, she saw feeble
old man.
"Come in, he called, in a sharp voice,
as she hesitated at the door. ''HelI
yourself to a chair, child l am in nc
fix to play the gallant, as you can see."
81 trust you find that Colorado air is
beneficial to you, SIR" Nellie ventured
to remark, after being seated.
''Not bit of it, " he answered, testify.
"Those pesky mountains came near being
the death of me. The altitude was toe
great"
cit seems so pleasant here that we
hope our invalid mother will grow strong
rapidly.n
'Pleasant enough, if camping out
wasn't the prescribed thing, but this
doing without home comforts for the
sake of health seems rather inconsistent
to me-"
"We have quite a comfortable camp
ing outfit" said Nellie, with modest
pride. 'Our list includes a coffee sack
ing carpet, folding rocking chair, a
looking glass"
"And "a saucepan, he interrupted,
grimly.
'No SIR" she answered, earnestly,
"the saucepan is not ours. We found it
in the Garden of the Gods, short time
before we reached here, and l brought it
over thinking it might be the one you
lost"
"Humph!" after brief examination,
cit is the very same. know it by this
cross mark. 1 suppose l ought to be
greatly obliged for its return, for one
doesn't often get back what is lost on the
highway"
1--WE would like to have you call to
see u.s." said Nellie, rising, 81 believe
we are your nearest neighbors."
"Didn't suppose I'd have any neigh
bors," she answered with evident irrita-
ton; "was told there could be no one
near"
With a stiff "Good afternoon' Nellie
made her exit
'Disagreeable old man, she said,
on reaching home. "He did not thank
me at all, mamma, and implied that he
regretted having neighbors when asked
him to call.
she must be great sufferer to be so
ill-natured," commented her mother.
Mother, I'll take you on a jaunt
through Ute Pass today" said sixteen
year-old Harry, few days later, "for as
I've found joD at last, the horses and
l will have to leave you soon. Frank
Castleman says he will take charge of
the tent"
"Why should we place ourselves un-
der obligation to Mr.. Frank Castleman?''
asked Nellie coldly. ''The tent can take
care of itself"
Since the unfortunate visit in regard
to the saucepan, she had passed the Cas-
tlemans' tent dav after day, unheeding, on
her way to the Iron Spring.
That very afternoon for the first
time, Frank Castleman had seemed quite
oblivious tt. her presence as well, as he
stood in the spring pagoda chatting
gaily with bevy of tastily dressed girls
from one of the village hotels.
And Nellie felt an access of bitter
ness in her heart at the thought that one
day this gay, laughing young man, who
only appreciated wealth and STYLE would
be master of the dear home she had
lost.
''You avoid us, Miss Loomis," said
Frank on the very next morning, as the
two chanced to meet at Ruxton creek.
"You never give us nod and a
smile as you pass. Has anything my
uncle may have said in regard to that
wrenhed little saucepan aught to do with
the matter?"
"By no means, /" was the frigid reply.
THAT was too slight an affair to be
worthy of remembrance.
"Please explain, then," an honest
trouble in his dark eyes. "Have done
anything to offend9"
mo, it is nothing. Why vex yourself
about trifle? You have many friends
in the village, doubtless, who are congen-
ial, and who enjoyyour companionship. y
AS you do not, am led to infer" he
replied, bitterly, as he left.
"Oh, Nellle,p said her mother, as she
entered the tent, 81 forgot to tell you
that Mr.. Castleman, Sr., called this after.
noon while you were at the spring. He
made quite visit, admired our bough
porch, and asked me to call when he
left"
"Perhaps he is sorry he spoke so un
kindly when l was there" said Nellie,
with sudden sense of compassion fol
the sick, lonely man.
But suddenly all thought of Mr.. Cas-
tlenan, ST., and his tantalizing nephe W
were merged into that beautiful sleeI
which comes only to the just, and tC
campers in Colorado.
''NIiss LOOMS Miss Loomis!'' she
heard a voice call through the mist Of
her dreams, and she gave startled an
| swer.
my uncle is very i'll, +" the voice con.
tinued. "Will it be possible for you to
come and stay with him while go fol
the doctor? Our man has gone to Den
yer for the horses"
81 will come Immediately. Go right
on to Manitou."
Mamma, ring this bell if you need
me-" she said on starting.
Mr. Castleman's condition brought
her ability as nurse into immediate req
uisition.
She built fire in the camp-stove, but
finding no vessel in which to boil water,
bethought herself suddenly of the re
turned saucepan. GLOW glad I am
brought it back she thought gratefully
F" for there is not one moment to lose.
BY the time the physician had arrived
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