The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1888-10-18

down to their own meal. explained 70
them that he had ridden late the
night before and had camped out
and was given cordial invitation TO
draw chair up TO the table and help
himself" which he very promptly did.
Breakfast eaten. he offered TO pay.
but was refused; gave thanks instead
OF money. and hurrying back to the
place where he had left his horse.
fastened h.s blanket to bis saddle,
placed both upon the roam. and mount
ing. resumed his journey.
just before noon he stopped at
little town. put up at the hotel. fed
and rubbed down his steed, got his
own dinner: and did not mount again
until tho greatest heat OF the day was
over. Then he pushed on at rapid
pace until an hour after sunset. when
he again tethcrcd his horse and slept
upon the ground. IS he had doac the
night before.
The day following was repetition
OF the one which preceded Il. brit its
close found him well up IN the foot
hills, and he put up ut tic cottage q
a rancher. with whom he Lad sta-.d
over night when on his way TO tho
Slough the year before.
In the morning. he arose with ono
thought throbbing in brain end heart.
tonight | shall see her, tonight /
shall know my fate.
He fed md groomcd his horse rs
usual. but could scarcely wait for
breakfast. which was not yet prepared
when he returned from lie stable Ia
had eaten cold lunch for supper, bmt
his impatience conquered Al, desra fcr
food. lie was counting til, hours now.
and the moments would drag them
selves SO until be -as ID the saddle
again.
Rather than appear d;scour,eous or
strange, he waited for the morning
meal TO be prepared, but was oil almost
before his host had ARISEN from the ia
BILE.
lie had ridden sesentv-fvc miles the
day before. and had feared the Ioan
might feel little stiff and sore nj start.
ing. but wien lie saw him come ont OF
the stable with head up. apparently "a
anxious rs himself TO be of. this icsr
vanished, and he determined 10 pusa
through tie remaining forty miles wi Ii
ont hating. Eut to found the roads
not SO good as he had anticipated.
He was now in part Of the foot hi's
with which he was unacquainted, for
he no longer followed the road over
which he cane the year before. Int
struck acro-s the country by d rou Q
which left the old Eomc off to the le.t,
and threw him further up towards 80
mountains. and when neon came -
was still. from the best Information g
could get. fully fifteen mics from .,oi \
Parsons shaatv. and coiapn sion :r
his horse induced him to stop a. ranc i.
er's for feed and rest; so that with this
delay and the trouble which he exp--
r,enccd in learning exact. where ,hs
shanty was. even when within few
miles of il. the afternoon was we'll ngn
worn away when Ee reached the point
where the by-rosd VIII ch led to il
turned of from tie main track: ;nl
even then he was not certain Of this bs-
ing The place.
He had stopped his horse and was
debating with himself whether Ia turn
of or follow tie main roa, yet further.
Of the mountain, and into c road over
which lie had just passed. her Tor love
Of whom he had come. and the sight
sent all the bloc, in his body sursins
to his heart and for tho moment .
could Meth n have spo'scn nor moved.
Evidently Lucy had not seen hi,a
pass, and was not now aware Of his
presence
She lad gone to find the cows ard
drive them home to be MIXED. and was
following along behind them - tayy
lazily moved homeward.
She was dressed as Era had seen
her oftenest in tho olden time. in
light print dress ard sun-bonnet In
her hand che carried little crooked
stick. which she Lad picked UP to drive
tie cows with, but was paying very 1T
tie attention to them. Instead she WAS
gazing off upon the hills which
stretched away and away, che above
another, until they became snow
capped peaks that IN the lisi.. Of the
falling sun looked like amethysts set
into the cerulean blue OF the heavens.
Had not tho cows paused at sight OF
the man and hos standing in thcr
path she might have reached his side
before becoming aware OF his presence,
but when the cows stopped and stood
with their great eyes staring with 10
least BIT OF surprise at what was not .
very common sight to them in their
mountain pastures, she raised her stick
and bid them ''go-!ong." Then seeing
for the first time \ gentleman sanding
by the roadside holding his horse by
the bride. she blushed little beneath
her sun-bonnet, and dropping her eyes.
followed closely after the cows. which
had again lazily taken up their line Of
march.
The blush which suf'usei her cheeks
was not. however, owing to her having
recognized the ho.seman. for she had
not done so. She had only glanced at
him and then dropped her eyes with =
feeling Of embarrassment for she sell
dom met gentlemen now, and however
much poets may sing the charms o:
milkmaids in calico dresses, they will
never be abe to convince any member
of the sex that they look their best in
that role, any more than can be taken
from them their womanly desire 10 ap-
pear we'll in the eyes OF the opposite
sex, even though he he I'm entire
stranger, as she supposed this one to be
who stood waiting for her approa h.
presumably that lie might inquire tile
way to some reigboring rancher' )
shanty. or possibly il her parents would
entertain him for the night.
When within q few PAGES she raised
her eyes and turned her face towards
him.
As she did so he spoke her name aud
took step towards her.
'Lucy!'
She stopped suddenly and tile little
crooked stick fell TO the ground while
both hands wen: 10 Der tace pushing
back the sun-bonnet
Lucy, don't you knownae9 I've come
all the way back TO sec you: started the
moment got your fathers lct-t'a: is
the moment ! learned you were not go
ing to marry Mr.. Annelssy I love
you, Lucy-love you better than any.
body or anything in al the world. I
have always loved YOU ever s:lce We
were children together, and want you
TO be my wife"
And she only said: 'Oh' 'Ras" aud
put her hands to her facc and bsgau to