The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-01-12
A WESTERN STORY.

ooAA AOlus d. COns p1cuOus pOSlGlOu III
most cities OF the vigorous, impetuous
West.
Some years ago Sheriff Black of
Cheyenne was much annoyed by the
persistence and determination of sun
dry suitors for the hand of his daugh-
ter, Miss Helen.
As is always the case in mining dis
tricts, the male population far out
numbered the gentler sex, and Miss
Helen, who was handsome brunette,
would have been belle among far
severer critics than the youths of
Cheyenne.
She had graduated at st. Louis, and
besides being a gifted musician, was a
devout worshiper of nature, and fond
OF outdoor exercise.
Almost any fine evening in summer,
a passer-by might hear her rich p1ezzo
voice accompanying her guitar to some
ringing "Ballad OF the Plains"
Unconscious was she of thefa that
the melody f1oated out from the
shadows of the cottonwood trees, and
mingled with the broad, effugent
moonlight, and that many q luckless
youth dated a hopeless love from the
first evening when he had dropped in
to help the Sheriff and the old servant
in making an audience.
miration of men, but accepted it as q
matter OF course, having been brought
up among them. She enjoyed herself
in afashion of her own, with her books,
guitar, sEetch-book and her spirited
horse, Wildfire.
Two of her lovers, however, seemed
to gain more favor than the rest. In
fact, popular opinion was puzzled as
to which would win.
One of them was a tall, athletic
young Westerner, who was as bright
and invigorating of presence as the
air he breathed, and in whose clear,
blue eyes not q shadow of deceit was
visible. Handsome, for true, but so
sturdy and Independent that he inn
pressed one as a young giant. ,1-
He was an ardent geologist, could
analyze q 'fnd" as we'll us an ex-
pert, loved his mountains and wor-
shipped-Miss Helen.
But with all his devotion Joe was a
discreet youngfellow and held..his curly
head up in defiance of mankind in
general and his rival in particular,
and he never let the fair Helen feel too
sure Of her conquest.
The afore said rival was a wealthy
young mine-owner from Chicago-all
| that is conveyed in the term, "a
polished gentleman!" Hehad laughed
heartily when, on departing for his
new home, his Chicago friends had
jokingly predicted that he would lose
his heart to some Western beauty.
Bot here he was, eager to lay his fate
and fortune at the feet of the Sheriff 8
! eueenly daughter.
One bright, breezy day in September,
Helen cantered off soon after dinner
with her sketching material, osten-
sibly to make some sketches of the
autumn scenery, but really to CON-
mune with Nature, the only mother
she had ever known, and to decide
what answer she should give on the
morrow to her wealthy lover, who
that day had asked her to be his
wife. She told him that she must
read her own heart before she could
answer, and he hoped for a favorable
reply,
! Joe had been offended by one of her
hasty speeches a week before. They
were talking about Russell, and she
had asserted somewhat warmly that
she knew of no one whose society she
preferred. As soon as the impulsive
words were spoken she repented, but
Joe rode away with a look in his blue
eyes that had haunted her ever since
i Somehow, Joe's naughty head
flung back like a stag at bay, KEEP,
Booming up before her mental vision
when duty demanded that she b.
thinking OF Russell and his fatterins
offer.
The hours wore on, and so pre-
occupied was she that she did not OBJ
serve the heavy clouds that were rol
ling black and massive down tn,
. mountain sides. .-s.. ...~. ~.
Suddenly q large drop plashedin he
face, and she looked about her il
alarm. A heavy equinoctial storm
seemed aim st upon her.
Wildfre sprang forward at tn
touch OF the whip, and literally flew
in the direction Of the house. y y.
The great clouds came rolling oye
: Thunder and sharp, vivid lightnin
! followed. and then the deluge.
Wild6re dashed on until they cam
to the creek, and then the girl DIRE,
back in dismay. Be
The creek was foaming torrent
and she could not see the bridge,
J, Suddenly she heard mans. voic
t shouting to her, and in q few minute
Joe, on his tough little mustang
:, was beside her. He wore q buffal
overcoat, and threw a, large cloak {
8 j her own about her shoulders. Sh
t lsdid not wait to ask how he happene
e to come for her. She forgot that b
d was angry and hurt. She reached GU
her firm, white hand and caught Joe