Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-07-24
A DESERT CLAIM.
By MARY E. STICKNEY.
Copyright 1884, by J. B. Lippincott Company.
CHAPTER I-CONTINUED.


Left alone, with alert curiosity, she
went about examining everything in de.
tail, relieved to find that locks and win.
dow fastenings were all secure. She
happened, in her restless movement, to
catch a glimpse of herself in the mirror
above the dresser and stopped with q
desultory interest that had nothing to
do with vanity, idly surprised at the
unaccustomed brightness of the dark
brown eyes which now seemed almost
black, with touch of pleased appreci-
alton for the brilliant color borrowed
from the winds, which had roughened
the nut brown hair to a disorder only
the more becoming. A whimsical ques-
tioning sprang up in her eyes as she
looked. She wondered what measure Of
admiration this man Brown had given
her, this horse trainer, whose orbit
could not often have been crossed by
women Of her world. And yet she could
not be sure. Her thoughts reverted tc
him in puzzled inquiry as she removed
her hat and gloves. She was aroused
from her musing by a knock at the door,
which, when opened, revealed a grin
ming fellow whose clean white jacket
told that he was the cook, even had not
the tray he bore spoken more eloquently
to that effect.
''Mr. Brown thought you might like
a cup of tea, even if you did not care
for supper, MISS" he said. moving the
lamp aside to deposit his burden upon
the table. "Mrs. Cameron often likes a
cup of tea in her room when she is
down, and I just brought little bread
and cold beef and bit of jelly to help
the tea along like, and Mr.. Brown sent
you the magazines, thinking you might
like something to read, and I'll just
fetch you some fresh water, if you
please" snatching up pitcher from
the washstand and vanishing through
the inner room.
A low laugh broke from the girls
lips as she looked at that improvised tea
table, whereon was provender sufficient
for couple of hungry men. "Well, if
one must be wrecked on desert island,
one could hardly do better than this, y
she murmured, luxuriously inhaling the
fragrance of the tea, which was per-
suasively appealing to latent appetite.
Gas a desert island it could hardly be
improved, after all-with thanks to my
man Friday, whose real name isl
curiously reading the penciled inscrip.
tion on the books, Paul Brown
Paul Brown, breaker of horses, who
writes his name like gentleman of ed
ucation, who talks like gentleman Of
education and whose taste in literature
is evidently that of gentleman of edu-
cation. Really, Mr.. Brown, of all the
delightful features of this desert island,
think you are quite the most mysteri-
ously interesting"
There was moment Of new discom-
future the next morning when, the buck
board at the door, Miss Ellery, prettily
expressing appreciation Of the hospital
ity she had enjoyed, asked Mr. Blythe
for her bill.
"Billp' he repeated surprisedly, with
queer grin. "Well, really, Miss Ell
lery, I guess there amt any bill this
trip. We don't generally charge ou1
friends for a meal of victuals in Wyo,
ming. Being sort of Oh the outside edge
of the world, so to speak, we don't have
much company, but such as comes
along are welcome to what they get
you bet. "
The girl drew back, glancing around
vexedly. Although recognizing Blythe
as the actual representative of the alb
sent proprietor, she yet instinctively
turned to Brown as the one chiefly con.
cerned in her entertainment, and there
was something that Jared upon her
curiously In the growing sense of obli'
CATION to him. The most careful hostess
could not have been more punctiliously
mindful of the comfort of favored
guest than had been these rough men.
The same thoughtfulness that had sent
the lunch to her room the night before
had spoken in the bot water for her
bath which the cook had been inspired
to bring to her door when he came to
call her in the morning, and later, when
he came to show her the way to the din
ing room, where she breakfasted alone,
it was to find the table laid with all the
luxury and daintiness which the re-
sources Of the establishment permitted,
not even forgetting bunch of fresh field
flowers in glass beside her plate. But,
while fully apprectating each smallest
attention, the more that they were all
somewhat piquantly spiced with unex'
pectedness, she had yet rather accepted
everything as matter Of course, to be
paid for in due form. having gathered
that it was part of the regular bust
ness of the place to provide entertain
ment for such travellers as happened
that way. There seemed suggestion
almost humiliating in the manager:
simple speech. She felt drawn dowr
nearer the level of these men that they
had received her simply as friend
that she had been really their guest.
''But this is preposterous!" she quick
ly protested. 81 was perfect stran
ger''-
"Mr. Ellery's sister couldn't be con
sidered stranger at Cameron's ranch
and besides don't see who you coult
pay anyhow, seeing that 1 amt au
thorized to collect bills, while Mr.
Cameron ain't here himself, don't yor