The DeLamar nugget. [volume] (DeLamar, Idaho) 1891-1900, 1896-05-30
FATE OF THE AUSTINS.
BY ewENDoLEN ovEEroN.


his head, giving sigh and passing his
hand across his brow. at is the Circle
\ ranch. 1t belongs to Everette Austin.
Can l be of service to you?"
"E-eh-%ell, yes; at least the boss
can. I'VE famed my horse, and as I'm
a small matter of so miles from my
destination, can't walk it in this
weather"
ut is rather warm" . he assented.
Slightly. Is Mr.. Austin in, or any
where around?"
Hes not in, but he's around. I'm
Mr.. Austin"
ooh! indeed. Well, am Mr.. Brant-
William Il. Brant-Mr Austin, and /
must ask you if you can let me put
Up my horse until its foot is rested, CT
until find some way of getting to
Miles City,"
Mr.. Austin stepped forward, lifted
the ragged sombrero, and put out his
grimy hand. I'm happy to meet you,
Mr.. Brant. I am sorry I can't call a
man to take your mount, but ifyou viii
turn him over to me, I'll stable him and
attend to his foot, and you can 60 up to
the house and ask Mrs. Austin to make
YOU comfortable The men are all off
on the range"
'rll go with you," [ answered, and
we set off to the barns.
They were beautifully kept, as few
but Englishmen keep their stables, and
was glad that my weary stced should
lie so well installed. saw in moment
that my host was accustomed to being
his own veterinary surgeon. 1t puz
zlcd me to reconcile the fact OF his man
ual labor and ragged working clothes
with his large possessions, his perfectly
appointed stable, and his yet mere TeI'
feet language, so unnistalcably British,
Tor was new to Montana and it's peo
pie; though not tendcrfoot, by many
years Of Arizona experience.
The doctoring of my -l4oree finished, !
Austin led the way to his house-a long,
low, Imprinted board structure, set up |
a foot or so from the ground on posts. |
There was a wretched attcni pt at q he'd |
o. flowers near the door, hut the sun and |
wind gave it small chance OF succesa. |
4 few etunted petunias, a struggling |
lire of mignonette, and several bushes
of saPless red and pink geraniuEs were |
oil that rewarded evident patient care. |
NV host was not communicative. nor
did he expect me to bc So ! started to |
give him Il reference, but he cur me OF
br changing the subject. In lnoEcn;
more we had gone up the steps ard stood
en- the P8rch, which boosted OF neither
roof nor railing. Austin handed me L
feather buster, and we brushed thu
white dust from our boots. Then we
went in
"Sit down and viii arnounceyou to
Mrs. Austin" he said, with no apparent
perception of the incongruity Of the
language and his attire. ii was q tidy
little drawing-room-as [ did NY host
the honor of calling it ali through my
yisi1-with some well chosen colored
PRINTS from English papers on The rough
Board wall, clean white curtains, a few
cane chairs, and a box covered with
crctonnc, which served as 4 divan
There were no new books or papcr9, tlt
the old and much-used ones were of the
last. There was pot of WANDERING |
jew" in the huge fireplace, which made
Il very pretty effect.
1 was just looking at my travel
stained countenance in small mirror,
when a door opened, and Austin, hold
ing it back, stood aside TO admit his
wife
I'VE IRE very glad to see you, Mr..
Drant," she said, with the most delight
full of well-bred English accents. Mr..
Austin told me of your accident. am
sorry for the horse, of course, and fer
you If you had need to make haste, but
for ourselves it cannot be looked upon
as misfortune"
"Your husband has treated the poor
animal so sllillfully that fancy may
promise not to encroach upon your hos !.
pitality very long" !
please put aside the idea that you are /
not, or may not be, welcome. We are i
most happy to have you" {
"Now, Grant" said my entertainer, =
Mrs. Austin will give you your room.
We cannot do much for you, but there is
plenty of water, both hot and cold, and :
that will not be amiss, as 1 know by ex- !
after O midsummer ride in :,
his country. will see you at tea"
He went back to his digging, and Mrs. .
Austin conducted me to my room. The !,
.ciling and floor were of solid boards, ;,
ike the rest of the house, but the par =.
itions were of white manta, and every i
,ound in the place was perfectly audi
lie. However, it was clean and dark =
ned and cool, and there were no flies, ..
which I took as the browning blessing
# Providence sat upon the chintz- :,
oveSed potato box, which served for my
hair, and gazcd at myselfin the mirror
gain, and wondered, profanely, what q
he woman must think of me. l sighed -
or my calling suit, which was safe in IT