The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1891-04-11

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He setzcd Ravcllt bv the throat.
Two names were used for the only girl
at Overlook. In addressing her the men
Of the place always said Miss War
riner." In mentioning her they often
aid MARY Mite" The reason for this
distinctive difference was revealed by the
eight Of Miss Mary Warmer herself as
ahe sat ON high stool behind rude
desk. under o roughly boarded shelter,
and with rapid fingers clicked the key Of
\ telegraphic instrument. There was Q
perfect poise Of quiet self possession
which would have been very impressive
dignity in an older and bigger person,
and which, although here limited by
eighteen years and ono hundred pounds,
still made q demand for respectful treat
ment. Therefore the men when In her
presence never felt Ike calling her any
thing else than miss Warmer" II she
had been less like stately damsel in
miniature, and more like such child ~
che was in size only; If her employment
had been something not 90 near to
science as that Of telegraphy, and not 80
far OF from juvenile simplicity; il her
brown hair had been loosely curled in
stead Of closely coiled, and IL her skirts
had stopped at her ankles instead Of
teaching to her feet then she might
have been nicknamed "Mary Mite with
in her own hearing, as she was beyond
it by those who described her snallness
in sobriquet. There may have been
variance Of opinion among those dwell
ers at Overlook who had made any esti-
mate of her composure, but If there was
ono who believed that she merely as
sumed q reserve Of manner because she
was among two hundred men he had
not yet tried his chances of exceptional
acquaintance.
Overlook was crude and temporary.
The inhabitants were making roadbed
for new railway at spot where the
job was extraordinary, requiring an un-
commonly large proportion of brain to
Drawn In the work. Those who were
mental laborers in the remarkable leat
IT engineering, or were at least bosses
Of the physical toll, were the ones who
had errands at the telcgraphic shed, and
for whom Mary sent and received mes
sa9es over tho wires. The isolated COL
Ony of workers was . hundred miles
deep, in o wilderness of mountain and
forest. but not as many seconds distant,
measured by the time necessary for cleo
trical communication from the construc-
ton company's headquarters in q great
city:
Must you wait Tor an answer Mary
said, as she clicked the last word of q
message. Its an hour since your first
telegram went, and they seem in no
hurry to reply"
Polite indifferen 70, and nothing else,
was In her clear, gentle voice. There
was neither boldncss nor shyness in the
eyes that opened wide and blue as she
lifted them from the paper to the man
whom she questioned. There was NO
moro Of smile than of a pout on the
mouth that worded that inquiry. She
did not indicate tho faintest interest AZ
to whether he went or staid, although
she did suggest that he might as well 60.
I'D rather lounge here, If You don't
mind" was Gerald Heath's answer.
Here the alertness CT the placid girl
was family shown by a quick glance, but
it was So furtive that the subject of her
warineSs did not know his face was being
scrutinized, and she was quickly con.
WINGED that she was not the cause of his
remaining. for he said, I'm tell You why
I'm anxious about the telegram and in a
hurry to get it,"
Gerald Heath had been lazilv leaning
against tho malieshift desk Of the teleg-
raphcr as he waited. and for pastime
had whitfield the smooth birch sapling
that formed its outer edge. He had
Clipped and shaved after the manner of
those to whom sharp pocket knife and
apiece Of wood provide solace. There
had been no conversation except few
words concerning the message. But
now he heightened himself to six feet by
standing erect, and took ON the outlines
Of a magnificent physique. His proper
lions had not been realized before by the
girl at the other side of the counter. She
comprehended, too, that if his somewhat
unkempt condition We're changed to one
which included face cleaned of stub
born beard, a suit Of modish clothes to
replace the half worn cortluroys, and
the shine of a silk hat and polished boots
ut his now dusty extremities, he would
become o Young gentleman whose dis