The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1900-02-01
4 MATTER OF ENVIRONMENT. ::
She Thought Her Sutton Was q ,
Mere Dancing Mmn-After- -
ward She Changed Her -
Mind.
:,
BY w. R. ROSE.

::.:::s::::e::.sss:ss.s
When Roger Hepdricks suggested to
his only daughter that she might find
it pleasant to accompany him on
Journey across the continent she eager
ly agreed with him. When he added
that she would have to rough it for
week or more she was delighted.
81 must stop at our new Midas mines
In Nevada. and there'll be wagon ride
of 35 miles from the railway and no
telling what rude accommodations aft
err we get there"
Don't say another word, daddy"
she cried. I'm just dying to get away
from all these commonplace luxuries!
want change Pm Sick of the effete
east. want to lose myself somewhere
beyond the odor of factory smoke and
the glare of electric lights
you'll be glad to welcome both,"
said Roger Hendricks little grimly,
when you find yourself where there
isn't the slightest tint of smoke on the
dismal horizon and where your electric
light is an evil smelling lamp or sput-
tering tallow candle"
'Trust me-" laughed Grace. You'll
find my romantic views have very
practical background. And we are to
visit the mines, are we?'
"Yes,' replied Roger, ''the new
Midas. want to look them over my
SELF They are the coming wonders of
the mining field and I'm anxious to see
just what shape they are in. By the
way" and he looked at her narrowly,
IAN old friend of yours is our assist
ant superintendent at the mines"
"a friend of mine? Who?'
"Robert Conklin."
"Robert! | knew he was going away,
but had no idea where. It's certainly
strange environment for the prince
of the german. Daddy, l want to tell
you something. Robert asked me to
be is wife just before he went away"
"Did he? Well, there are worse
young men than Robert"
care there, daddy? l thought they
were all n1onotonously alike, the same
clean shaver faces, the same dress suits
and white ties and patent feathers and
languid drawls and inane small talk.
Robert was a charming fellow-of the
conventional type-and he had beauti
full white hands and lovely complex
ion, but he was too much like all the
others to please your fastidious child"
"What did you tell him, my girl?"
'When he popped? Oh, l told him
biuntly that he wasn't my ideal, and
sent him away"
Roger smiled.
"And he came to me-" he said, land
I sent him away still farther. But it
will not embarrass you to meet him at
the minesY
mot in the least, daddy. Why should
it?"
II don't know" He laughed and
turned away.
He did not tell his spoiled darling
that he was Roberts sworn ally or
that he was plotting at that very mo-
ment to secure what he thought was
her happiness.
Three weeks later a two seated wag-
on drawn by a team of stout though
very tired, horses mounted the last hill
that interviewed between the railway
station and the Midas mines. In the
wagon were Roger Hendricks and
Grace and an extremely taciturn,
though highly skilled, driver, who had
been sent over to meet them.
AS they mounted the crest Of the last
long hill Roger Hendricks turned to
the driver.
SIS Superintendent Ingersoll well?"
he asked.
Dunno" said the driver
"Don't known echoed the capitalist.
isn't he at the minesY
"Nope. He's across in Californy."
what for?'
Health"
II didn't know he was ILL.," said the
capitalist. whats his trouble?'
"Knife in ribs. Couple O. fellers from
SINNERS Flat came over an started a
fuss. Superinten'a ant tried to stop 'em
an got jabbed. Bobsy run in an 1oored
the fellers biff! bang! an then he toted
superintendent over the line to a doc
fellers."
"And the mines?''
"Mines is runnin all right Bobsy's
runnin 'em."
"Who is BobsyY'
"Dunno his other name. That's him
| COMM"
He pointed with his whip at an ap-
preaching figure.
1t was the figure of tall young man
in SLOUGH hat, coarse flannel shirt,
| rough breaches and long, clay stained
boots. He had a plentiful crop Of hair,
face extremely sunburned where it
wasn't covered by brown curly beard,
and his arms, exposed by his rolled up
shirt sleeves, were brown and sinewy
He took off his hat to Grace and ex-
tended his hand to her father.
"By George" cried the latter, cts
Conklin-it's Robert! And he leaned
over and vigorously shook the young
mans hand. Grace gave little gasp.
Was this rough young Adonis, bearded
| and tanned, the white handed darling
of the ballroom?
Then Robert quickly stepped to the
wagon, and reaching up swung her
lightly to the ground