The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1884-09-11
KING OF NEUCES COUNTY.
Felix Gray in Texas Siftings.

'H0 Anolo SOIont nutnOrlty OF The norce
"norther," that raiding wind of the
Sierras, that shrieked wildly through the
streets, bsttering in its loud, hectoring
way, at shutters and doors, as il de:
l1l''ndine admission Upon penalty, bully:
ing and tormenting the helpless trees
as If it would at once and forever make
m end Of them, catching the unresist:
ing rain in it's strong clutch, whipping
It against the windows and walls, and
driving it through 1;0od unsuspected
cfevices-a sort of Goliath of Gath
VIVID, that roared up and down through
the camp, daring the whole host to come
out and battle with it.
OF the few unfortunates whom cir
cumstances compelled to meet this rude
challenger the omnibus of the Island
City hotel held two, just arrived by the
train from Some indefinite region to the
northward, ard continuing in this peril
GUS manner their journey toward rest
and shelter. They were of opposite sex,
the man hurley; black bearded person,
with black eyes that glowed beneath the
shadow of his broad brimmed hat with
fire scarcely inferior to that of the i'm
posing diamond upon his :hirt front.
He sat squarely in the middle of the
seat, with one arm stretched along its
back, nursing heavily booted foot up
on one knee, and complacently thread
ing the fingers of his brown hairy hand
through his thick beard. The woman,
whom even the uncertain light of the
Intellectual lamp showed to be young
and attractive, was buttoned from the
throat to ankle in an all enveloping
waterproof, but her hat was stylish
affair of felt, trimmed with handsome
plume; and muff of rich dark fur
which reposed upon her lap, united its
testimony to that of the Russian leathe,
travelling satchel upon the favorable
side of the question as to her fortune
and social standing.
She sat with her back as nearly turn.
ed upon her fellow traveller as the con
struction of the vehicle would allow
gazing tixedly out of the front window,
where the Pickering rays of the drivers
lamp showed her the wet backs and
dropping ears of the horses. Her posi-,
ton afforded an admirable view Of
the solidly coiled braids of hair, with 8
fringe of little unpredominated curls
that fell from beneath them upon q
slender well-moulded neck, which the
black bearded man seemed to find pleas
ing.
The omnibus labored heavily for.
ward in the gale, which had laid its
lash of raindrops sharply across the
closed glasses. All at once, with q
fearful lurch, it came to q momentary
stand, hesitating apparently upon the
verge of a catastrophe; while the flicker
ing ray cleaned brokonly upon the
agitated Surface of body of water OF
Undetermined extent. The young lady
started up, grasping her satchel, and
looking about her for some means OF
escape.
Don't he frightened, ma'am," said
her fellow traveller in deep bass
voice. "Just fordin' one of the city
ponds; keep your seat"
lis there no danger? The driver
hasn't gone into the gulf by mistake,
you think ?" painted she in sweet ire
mulous treble.
"Oh, no; we're all right. I'll be dog
goned if the omnibus oughten to be a
schooner rugged, tho, or tho city ought
or keep ferries on their lakes. They
never know whether they're afoat or
ashore in this town. I'll he logged et
I'd live in itef they'd give me tn hol'
layout"
The numbering vehicle resumed its
dark and painless way, the young wom-
an sank into her seat and the burly
man into silence, still combing his
whiskers with his brown hand, and
nursing the heavy foot on his knee. Z
Here We are," he said cheerful]y, as
with final lurch, and a jolt, the ark
rested, and gathering his valise in one
hand, and laying the other upon the
door, he seemed to dive headlong into
space. As the young woman timidly
followed, however, she saw that he was
waiting for her, his figure indistinctly
outlined against luminous doorway
opening into huge, square shadow
which she guessed rather than saw tc
be hotel.
cts mos too wet for them there shoe.
of yourn," he said by way ofexplanation
and without further speech he cast NJ
arm about her waist, and crossing ir
two strides the Intervening strip O.
water and sand, set her down upon thu
gallery in front of the open door.
A waiter pounced upon them, ant
taking the sttchel and valise INTO ont
hand as if satisfied that they belonged
together, led the way to the ladies par
lor.
Heres a fire." SAID the burly man
come set by it and warm you'se't. You
must be pretty nigh froze."
She yielded quietly, though with ,
little air of reserve, to his direction, ant
accepted the chair he placed for her be-
fore the open fire, which was doing it,
inefficient best to warm the large empt,
room. She looked like woman &C
customed to being taken care of, ont
toward whom every man would natural
ly experience the protective impulse
and her present self-elected guardian
regarded her with an expression at ono,
critical and approving, and she Leaned
back and put her two shapely, we'll shoe
feet upon the fender,
Il s'pose better go an see bout my
room an some supper" he said. "AinI
you hungry"
Il think could eat semething."
Il think so. You'll want room, too
reckon"
why yes, to be sure. l forgot thai
must register"
:. Il 'spose I might register for yor
9lss we'll ss not, eff you'd give me your
IF you would be so kind, I should b.
ever so much obliged" she assente :
SWeetlv, INV name 10 Houorc;rr ~