The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1901-01-18


probably with that end in view that
he rode almost at once TO the Halloran
place ard explained to the haciendado
that he would like to be shown how a
ranch was run. He met Miss Halloran,
and her father told him that she WAS
engaged to a lieutenant at the neigh I
boring post, but that severe cod was
combining the officer to his house He
expressed a wish that Lovatt might /
meet the lieutenant some day, and
Lovatt hoped that he would. 1t was
possibly in this hope that he called at
the ranch for six successive days, but
always-had he known it-at an hour
which 1t was quite unlikely that any one
would be coming over from the post.
After that they saw him no more.
On the evening of the seventh day
Chester was in charge of Strathmore's
quarters again. Strathmore was recov-
ering from the cold, and he told Ches-
ter that he had missed him profanely
much. Everything had gone wrong. He
asked what the striker had been doing
with his time.
Chester threw an armful Of wood up
on the fire, and stood up, brushing the
chips from his sleeve. "Well, sir" he
answered, Il have been getting en-
gagged"
Strathmore's jaw fell That meant
that he would have to hunt up a new
striker, of course. Then he remem-
bered Mamie Pearle. That's rather
coincidence, Chester; so have l."
Chester's congratulation was respect
full, but not so cordial as it m ght have
been. Il shall ask your permission and
the captains to marry. sir" he said.
Strathmore accorded his own. But
shall be sorry to lose you, Chester,
very sorry. What is the girls nameT
Chester grew red all over his nice.
boyish face. He was finding out that
saving another is not all herolsm, nee
essarily. He produced 4 piece Of paper
from his pOcket-a piece of fimsy,
ruled, pink paper stamped with a white
dove. Strathmore gave a little start.
But Chester was doing this because he
thought 1t best to deal the final blow
at once, not to mince matters in the
|
smoothed out the sheet That's the
name, sir" he said
Strathmore read IT, 1t was Mamie
Pearle.
The last name" Chester explained,
sis Halloran. She's the daughter of
Halloran OF the ranch"
"Ohr' said STathmore, dryly His
Of enduring love- OBJ he repeated;
'and may | ask if she knows who you
areT
Chester grew more red st.n. "Well''
he reflected that an entirely honest
intent could never be prefxed by that
Yankee word-"well, sir, l began by
letting her think that my name was
! Lovatt-part of it really is, strand
that l was titled and rich-which l am
not-but"-he plucked up courage as
l. he went on-"if she loves me, of course
,, it will be all right"
Strathmore handed him back tn,
note. "And if she doesn't"
Tit will still be al right"
Strathmore did not try to understand
His opinion of Chester had fallen yer!
; low AS for his opinion of Mamie
l. Pearle he realized, suddenly, that it haC
not dropped half so far.
+ 1t was almost retreat, on the follow
v ing day, when he took to Chester
!. room a bundle of London papers tina
h had just come by the stage. He cast I
quick look around. q see you've go
!. the photograph of the girl out again,
he commented.
y Chester nodded, but added, with tn
= faintest shadow on his face: "She's
y married woman, sir"
= "Yes?" said Strathmore, and turne
to leave the room.
"Oh. lieutenant" Chester called
Strathmore stopped. Il thought 20
: might like to know. sir, that I'm nc
engaged any more"
For full half-minute Strathmor
:. looked into the Englishman's impen'
= trable blue eyes; then there came
:. twinkle in his own. 1T seems to
- another coincidence, Chester" he sale
!, quietly, "for neither am I."-Argonau
Accommodating.