Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-02-18
CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER XVI
he GOES 10 THE MOUNTAINS FOR TIL
CATTLE.
Miss Dora Thistle did not call at thu
store the next day, and the day after .
bright young man from the city arrived
and quite absorbed her attention for thu
rest Of the time she spent at Ashton
Alec was evidently great puzzle to her
and she felt that 1t was best to let him
alone. Besides, he had grown very stu
pid, and Mr. Melton. with his white fan
mel suit, brown shoes and very broad
brimmed hat with red band, was al
ways interesting. Mr.. Melton did not
know Alec, and once or twice was rath'
er rude to him, until Miss Thistle whis'
pered in his ear; then he only stared
hard at Alec and shook his head.
But before the summer was past the
young men Of the village made shy ad.
vanoes to Alec, and be got on to very
friendly terms with those he met every
Sunday in his Sabbath school class.
One day Alec decided to con6de BID
personal doubts and difficulties to George
Marston, the blacksmith. He was quiet.
ly looking about to see II he could find
any remunerative employment OR occu-
patton, and thought that George might
suggest some idea. Mr.. Higgins still
gave him only his board and lodging,
though be had freely allowed Alec to
take things from the store on credit.
"Ask him for % 4 week, " said George
when Alec mentioned this. "You de-
serve 1t, and be will never give 1t to you
unless you ask him.
Alec asked Mr.. Higgins for the add.
ton Of tb week, and the request was
promptly accorded.
II thought You was queer chap to
work all Summer on nothing week, "
said Joe, but il you wanted TO do it
wasn't saying nothing"
The sharp October frosts had turned
all the maple leaves scarlet and oil the
elm and chestnut leaves yellow, and the
ivy leaves yellow and scarlet together.
1t was time to bring home the young
cattle from the mountains, and George
Marston and Alec were deputed to 60
for them for the neighborhood. George
Marston was considered the best hand at
coaxing cattle in the village, and he in
turn asked Alec to go with him. Joe
Higgins readily let the young man off,
for he had cattle Of his own to be
brought. They were to take George
Marston's Concord wagon and bay mare.
a first rate roadster. In the wagon were
plenty Of blankets, 80 that they might
sleep a night on the bottom Of 1t II need
be, and oats for the mare and big
lunch basket that 'Lisbeth prepared. 1t
contained, Alec knew, q lot Of her good
things-ginger cookies and currant jelly
and huoklebery jam, besides more solid
nutriment, and there was big jug Of
gweet cider.
They would be gone no doubt for three
days, II not four or five. for 1t was 80
miles to the mountains and hunting cat
tie and driving them home are very slow
work. They would start early On Mon
day morning and reach the pasturage by
evening. The next day would come the
hunt for the stray ones, and there was
no telling how long that would take.
Then 1t would require not less than two
days to drive the cattle home, even II
they travelled more or less steadily dur
ing the intervening night.
Alec liked the idea Of taking such
trip with George Marston, for a fond
ness had grown up between the man
and the lad which was clearly recog-
nized by both, though never spoken OF.
Perhaps 'Lisbeth was the mutual bond,
for she had become like very sister to
Alec, and he had done all he could 10
forward the suit Of Marston, to whom
also he looked for sort Of protecting,
brotherly interest which is consoling to
think of, even il it does not mean very
much practically.
'Lisbeth took great pains in getting
the two off comfortably. Mary little
thing was added for their welfare which
they would never have thought Of. At o
O'Clock in the morning the old, dirty,
rattling wagon, with its rough floor,
that had wide cracks in IL, stood before
the veranda Of the store, and on this
special occasion the store door was
standing open. But though rather i'll
looking, the wagon had good springs
and good wheels, and the bay mare was
fresh and sleek in her substantial
though scarcely elegant harness. Ev'
erything had been put into the wagon
the night before except the lunch basket,
and 'Lisbeth had been up for an hour
past preparing that Alec now appeared
at the door bringing it, and George and
'Lisbeth were close behind him. He pp,
the basket in behind, and George go,
on to the seat and took up the reins'
When all was ready, Alec jumped NJ
on the low veranda, and, taking Lis
beths hand, said hearty goodby ant
kissed her on the cheek. He blushet
slightly, but affected an uncommon east
Of manner and Inconsistencies as hi
swung round the wagon and proceeded