The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1903-12-12

much as he had y
posed after all. All the arts Of ~.
talk and airy persifage wbic, se'
found to be the expected ana os az u
thing with the city girls of his av
ences he found to be of no ava. aye.
this western maid. except 70 wy
himself with the uncomfortable co ,ssa
ton that he was an object O, s .vp'e
ment, if not of contempt Az
more ardent love-making no
one attempt one moonlight Ide
on the broad veranda-bp, ss
more. The response was o. u
expected and decisive that h.
ceived what he termed "the io,t 49,.
life" They became very good t,is.
however, and enjoyed many a riSa
the hardy little ponies over the rorr
prairies and many an animated ny
on the veranda. He began IN o.
new life of which he nevs,
dreamed and to catch a glimn,.
things which had hitherto had M u.
in his scheme of life.
Finally he discovered that n,
had made place in his life nevo,
cupied by any human being before
that his life before he met her s.s
been hollow and gray, and the tbora,
Of a future without her became ,r,"
cradle. Being given by nature =,
training to prompt action he prono..,
to her and was not much surnri,s
when she refused him with a good A.
OF emphasis.
81 do not know how serious Won a.,
Mr. Mason" she said. In fact von
sincerity always is a matter Of .or.
doubt to me-because you are 50 a,
ferent, you know. If you are I'M,
oughly in earnest | am very sorry, =
not you are trifing with a very ssr,s
subject and should be ashamed
He protested his entire sincerity IN,
spoke with so much less fippancy M,
usual that she begged his pardon h,
the suggestion and said:
1T is impossible. Our lives ,a
ideals are so far apart that wonas,
that you do not see the impossbIity
| could not live in your world and VA,
could not live in mine. | am very Nm.
ry, because like you so much As /,
friend and | hate to lose you"
ooh, you cant lose me-" replied h,
cheerfully, but his face was ruefu ana
he did not regain his cheerfunesS n,
many days. In fact he took to Gov.
punching with a vigor that did yo.
ders for his health.
Spellman, at his request, put hin o.
regularly with the rest OF the punch.
ers and insisted on paying him tD
wages, He worked like demon and
soon mastered the art. He still occv.
pied his old partments, when not TOO
far to return at night and saw COZ.
siderable Of Dora He plunged into
reading with zest he never had feii
before and he followed her suggestions
closely in the matter OF a choice d
| books. A new world began to unfold
to him and the narrOwness Of his Old
life and the futillty Of all the rush and
feverishness of the city grew upon
him. His health and strength In,
proved apace He was better than b
ever had been. but still he fingered on
One day he received letter from BIZ
old firm urging him to return and Of.
fering him a largely increased salary
with promise Of a partnership ID
the future. He took II 10 Dora and she
was delighted with his good fortune
But | don't want to 90 without
you" he said.
Don't, please" she replied "ltcai'
not be"
So he went back TO the city, but Be
carried with him new impulses and
bigger ideas OF life and ideals very d.
ferent than he had brought with hin
His friends maryeled greatly at ts
change.
After he had gone Dora was sur
prised 10 find how lonely the ranc,
was. She missed his CHEEKY, bright
bree2iness, She had been greatly W.
terested in watching his nature unloa
and had felt battered, quite naturap'
at his submission to her as a prec'f
tor, Then, too, the honest love ~
good man Is not dlspleasng TO N
woman. In fact, she thought OF bin I
great deal-rather too much for M
peace OF mind.
One day about six months after y
left she was surprised and not whoIl
dIspleased to see him dismount al u1
door. i.
what, broken down again ALREADY
she said greeting him,
mo" he replied, "Am better 'hS
ever. But there's no use tryIDs
simply can't stand IT, ! wOuS
rather be cowpuncher where
can sec you now and then, than
be n merchant prince where you Nv
no part Of my life I'm golns
strike your father for n job WON"
you associate with me II ! was q fesu
lar cowpunchor and lived down " "
quarters7" :,
Maybe father would sell us par
tho ranch and let you help 10 ma.
ago It," she replied dropping her gO T
Mason go2cd at her in utter OcN"
ormont She flushed from neck 10 wI
pie, lie sprang to her side Win ~"
cry, w
"Dora'S he cried, "yon nre no. W
fling? DO you-is II trueI wv
hcavens' am | dreaming7
He gathered her unresIstIng InV "
arms, A
"a girl has things 10 learn I" v"
~ n man" she whispered.
SHERLOCK HOLMES IN LIFE