The Portland daily press., 1892-12-13

Union side, and had taught Lois her
war songs. which he had learned while
far away from home and kindred, III the
soldiers camps or marching to meet the
Confederates.
Very often, too, the girl took her knit
ting with her, and while the pony grazed
near the cattle she sat, like a veritable
prairie princess, in her saddle and ma
nipulated the long needles as skillfully
as if she were seated on her favorlte
bench in the sod shanty.
This picture was indelibly stamped on
the mind and heart of certain young
stockman, whose father had large
ranch about twenty-five miles south of
Nose Gilbert's claim.
Gilbert had purchased his stock at the
Hutchins ranch, and in that way an ac-
auaintance had sprung up between the
two families.
Several times that summer Lee Hutch
ms, lured by a pair of dark eyes, had
ridden away from his fathers range,
ostensibly to search for strays. but in
reality to ride up some deep hollow or
place himself behind some hill, where
unseen he might catch the notes sr
words of Lois clear, birdlike songs or
watch her busy fingers ply the knitting
needles.
That was to him like glimpse of
paradise and he would ride off, his soul
in a tu4ult of hopeless passion
He rarely ever approached Lois as she
watched alone her fathers cattle. He
was brave, fearless young fellow, and
could ride the most fractions pony at
the ranch or face the widest stampede
of cattle, but somehow Lois bright eyes
stripped him of all courage, and he
usually acted like nervous, laundering
schoolboy when he found himself in her
presence.
Lee Hutchins was not by nature bash
full, and had he been sure that Lois cared
for him he would not have tried to avoid
her presence, as he frequently did. That
beautiful girl like she was should ever
learn to care for a rough, prairie bred
fellow, as he felt himself to be, never
for a moment entered his head.
He was becoming more hopelessly
fascinated every day, and more thickly
wrapped up in his fear to declare his
love.
So the summer had blossomed and
faded, and hazy, golden October found
them farther from an understanding
than ever.
Hero was munching away contentedly
at the tenderest sprays of grass before
him, while his mistress carelessly
hummed love tune, as her fingers in
dustriously knitted away on large blue
mitten Of Germantown yarn, which,
with it's mate, finished some days ago,
was to form present for her father.
Suddenly her attention was attracted
toward a solitary horseman coming
across the prairie. She stopped her work
to watch him.
He was riding at wild rate of speed,
and showed every evidence of being on
an errand of great haste OF Importance.
AS he drew nearer she recognized Lee
Hutchins, and pretty crimson quickly
flooded neck, cheek and brow.
He was handsome young fellow,
about twenty-four, with clear blue eyes
and light brown hair. The boyishness
of his round, fresh face was relieved by
a small light colored mustache. He
was of athletic build, and sat on his
pony like one born to the saddle.
Hating before Lois, he said good
morning in strangely agitated voice.
His old embarrassment seemed to
have given way before the excitement
under which it was evident he was Ia
boring. BY strong effort he con-
trolled himself, and then asked:
"Where's your father, Miss Lois?"
ssHes gone to Scrub Station, Lois an
swered, drawing her bonnet down over
her eyes that young Hutchins might not
see how flushed her face had grown at
his abrupt arrival.
The eyes of love have a distinct Keen
ness all their own, however, and some
thing in the girls pretty countenance
thrilled him with hope he had never
felt before.
Could it be possible that Lois was
growing to care for him at last?
The thought almost drove from his
mind the important mission on which
he had come.
In6Te are OCCdS1Oao WAOA AONO AAuob
be rudely jostled aside for the perform
ance of duties that will not endure put
ting off. Lee Hutchins felt this to be
one Of them, and RELOCATING his nearest
feelings by the exercise of his strong
will, he said:
"When did your father go to Scrub
Station|
Yesterday" Lois replied.
"When will he get back?'
1--WE don't know exactly. He couldn't
tell us when he left. It's nearly sixty
miles from our place to the station, and
father had a great many things to attend
to. We don't often get to town. and IA
Their intends to make this the last trip
until spring. But he will come home
just as soon as he can, probably tomor.
row evening"
'sI'm very sorry he's gone, - remarked
Lee Hutchins, cloud crossing his face,
| as is the case when we are forced to tell
disagreeable or alarming news to one
whom we would gladly shield.
Ibid you want to see him on particu-
|