Evening journal., 1892-11-04

IM6tu ntL anu OOntAAA
All but the smallest cobwebs had been
swept from the sky when Pueblo was
reached, and the sun was pouring down
with blazing persistency which seems
especially reserved for that bustling
burgh, which flourishes as if finding oc-
cult favor in the heavens hot partiality |
Here Anita was to change cars for the
south; perhaps she would be compelled
to wait; she did not know. Would it be |
a clever scheme, she pondered, to battle
Donald on her track, to purchase a ticket
but for another little piece of the way? |
or should she boldly name her destina-
ton at the ticket Office and get the tire
some details of ticket and trunk check !
off her mind for good and all? Irreso- |
lutely she threaded her way among the
motley crowd ON the hot unshaded plat
form of the station, pausing, because it
seemed to bar her way, before the sec
tion Of Pueblo's king of cottonwoods
which advertising ingenuity has erected
there-fit monument Donald had once
said, for a city's crime of arboricide.
Ever the thought of Donald in every
thingl impatiently frowning while she
read the black lettered legend of the
tree, the surprising figures Of its girth
and size, what celebrities had camped
under its shade, and how many unfortu-
mates had been hanged from its branches
idly read with her eyes, while her mind,
not grasping word, still wrestled with
the problem of the ticket. All, why
should she make herself petty trouble
seeking to mislead him, when soon or
late, he was sure to find herr a sudden
hot shame burning all over her with
a sneaking consciousness that she want
ed him to find her soon. Great heayenl
was she then so weak in spirit that
she could run away, but hoping to be
followed? And could it be-with bitter
self contempt-that already she was
nursing fancy of one day taking him to
her heart again, when he came pleading?
Let her go buy her ticket and away
And yet she hesitated to take this final
step, realizing, with fierce impotent an
ger, what her hesitation meant. In the
enforced quiet of her journey, some
where, somehow, in those hours of brood
ing thought, the hot flame of her fury
had gone out, and now the reaction was
come. She had not grown tender or
forgiving; she was sore and sullen. feel
ing how weak she was, how helpless to
/ keep her heart from turning back to
him; her anger burning but the more
! furiously in the consciousness that, how
ever she despised him, she yet could not
break free from the love Of him. But at
| least she would not yield herself to the
despicable weakness; she would go on.
setting her teeth hard and resolutely
| turning back toward the ticket Office.
a step had faltered beside her un-
needed, and now a hand was suddenly
put out to detain her.
"Nita--Cousin Nita, what luck to meet
you herer exclaimed young man eager
| ", yet with a certain diflidencc as if not
quite sure Of his welcome.
Gray Van Zandtl you?" in breath
less surprise, staring at him with wide
eyed incredulity. 1T is not possible9
thought you were in Paris"
al MY a que les morris qui ne revien
nent pas, be gayly retorted, seizing the
hand sho surprisedly held out in a close
caressing pressure. 81 was in Paris; but
now am here 1t is not my ghost,
can assure you. And how do You happer
here? Is your husband with your"
The surprise was the one touch OF
nature needed upon her overwroughf
nerves "Oh, how glad-how glad
ami" she exclaimed, in a tone that lef
no doubt Of her sincerity, even though "a
she spoke she covered her face and bursi
INTO passionate weeping.
Gray Van Zandt, who had been font
Of her from his boyhood. who had once
indeed, thought his life ruined through
hopeless love Of her, was as distressed "a
amazed "Nita, for heavens sake
what on earth is the natter Don't
dear-please don't" he begged, while
with great presence of mind, he caugh
her sun umbrella and held it to shielt
her from curious eyes.
1T is nothing but the surprise. Yor
came upon me so suddenly And--O
course you know that people sometime
cry for JOY, smiling tremulously up a
him.
"WeI, it never happened to come un
der my observation before" regarding
l EcI uulN9unll NAb "a 40 40 III bAl o%AAA'
to you, Nita, / must say | would rathe
be greeted with smiles.
"Well, so you shall" with little con
Trajectory sob And is Aunt Marth
with yLuy
with mei Heaven Forbid But
, that was your idea 1 can understan
: your tears" he returned lightly. bu
searching her face with earnest, anNou
eyes. "And is Donald with youY
: 1T would hardly do for me to sa
q Heaven forbidr would it," with an el
a fort at playfulness that sat but lamel
I. upon her But he isn't"
4 "And how do happen to find you i
: this out of the way place? Where al
4 you bound%
9 "'Out Of the way placer this-'th
. Pittsburg Of the West! Pueblo woul
4 hang you in efiigy if your blasphem
!, were overheard"
Gray shrugged his shoulders with
| comprehensive glance of contempt at Il
?, visible town But would you min
= saying whether you are travelling towal
:. ! home or away
t.I am roinsr home. and of cOursp yc