Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-12-29
Written for THE REFLECTOR.
Rancho LoCHINVAR.
TON A norman.


eastern born and bred. A volume Of
Blackstone lay upon the table before
him but his eyes we're closed. lie sat
rejecting He thought Of his latter
school days and how nicely he had
given graduating GRAFTON before dozens
OF sworn admirers; he remembered his
many friends at the station bidding
him goodbye, and how one year ago
this very evening - Christmas eve he
had stepped of the train in this west
ern pioneer wilderness, putting out
his shiDgle "attorney at law" on the
following day. -
But, the wheel OF fortune had turned
his way, and although he had tried no
criminal cases he had realized nice
sum from his claim contest suits.
A vigorous knock and voice was
heard: Hey, mister are you imp
Half scared, Mark opened the door
and peering into the darkness Inquired
"W--what tonight sirYr
"fiers's a note for yer. It's from
Houston's rancho" replied an elderly
man as he entered.
Marx read
ut will happen tomorrow morning
You must come tonight. You will
return with Old TTusty. our superin
tendant, who carries this message.
He has our swiftest horse and will get
you here In good time"
~ BINNIE HOUSTON"
"By Jove, old man." exclaimed thu
reader, I'm 60 back with you. 1t
means nor" :han dollars and cents 10
me. We must get there by morning"
Hum" answered Old Trusty, "if /
can't git you there no man on the
range can. I've Travelled the trail fer
ten years and ! tell yer my horse cant
be beat, she's true as steel"
1t WAS terrible night to make n
ride of twenty miles against the cut
ting wind and binding STOW, with the
m.rcury lowering around the Zero
point. But no weather could nov
stand between Mark and the writer of
the hOmely message.
In few minutes Mark was on the
well trained horse behind the accom-
pllshed western rider, making remark.
able speed down the badly drifted
trail, at midnight with no guidance
save the ever reliable instince OF man
and horse.
We'll, say rrusty, they have forced
this marry ing business little haven't
theyS Crinnie don't want to MARY
that ranchman, does sheY Ii she don't
and will have me, III marry her III
spite of the old folks and the -"
MARI paused AS lie excused himself fol
being ~ earnest.
"Oh, she wants you all right, and
thars Why AIN after you this kind OF
a night. | told her to marry the Teller
she loves AMI II hs MAS within foriy
miles vi there, I'D ye; him around IN
time TO beat that rancl man. She's
been AS u daughter IA my wife and me.
She's made OF good stuff and II you lel
me Tx things for you, you'll have the
incest little wife 10 sixty counties be-
fore noon to-day"
"Very well,n replied Mark wonder
ing what plan the old man would take.
The rising Christmas snn found the
riders within the boundary line Of Col.
H"uston's large rancho, The wind had
gone down aud tho snow had ceased
drifting. Mark ami Old TIusty,
although quite sun and cold, consider
ed themselves fortunate that they had
Jared 81 well aud were nearing the end
Of their ride.
Now" said Trusty AZ he rode up to
his oS0 cabin, nearly mile from
Colonel Iluustpn's. nov begins III,
real work and l'm Just the man TO do
II. Rest easy until you hear from
me-"
In Crinnies homo the inal prepare
lions had been made for heT wedding al
half past ten O'Clock VI that day aud
now II WAS nearly nine. Colonel and
Mrs. Houston loved their daughter
and were anxious that her future
should be.a HAPPY Que. they had chosen
husband for her Instead OF ALLOW ing
her to wed the man of her choice, the
young attorney Of Buffalo Lodge, bs.
cause they thought they knew best.
Crinnie had spent the morning iu her
room. She was.not gay aud bright rs
one should be on Christmas, although
II was TO bs her wedding day. Her
thoughts were wandering, turning first
TO Marx then 10 the ranchman whom
she was about to Marry and lastly to
Old Trusty making herself Deiisye that
Mark would return with her lover.
"Merry, merry Christmas, Colonel, "
came from outside.
"Its Old rrusty, good! 1 bops he's
come" shouted Crinnie as she cldpped
her hands aud started for the wr, hut
hiding her JOY as she neared Mrs.
houston.
christmas gift, Trusty, Christmas