Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-31
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spare time very pleasantly, Nothing bike little irritation to add spice to life. She's simple little thing. She's been away to school and seems to have an idea that she knows 1t all. I'll have to put on little city lnesse and take Ia fall out of her nerve Hope she won t take it too hard, as I'd hate to pass a cold deck to these good people. who are certainly using me white.
 So Joe began his summer Irritation, but before he had gone very far he ceased to waste any sympathy on the girl and began. to wonder if he really amounted to as much as he had sup posed. after all. All the arts of small talk and airy persifiage which he had found to be the expected and effective thing with the city girls Aof his experi- ences he found to be of no avat1 with this western maid, except to leave himself with the uncomfortable convic- tion that he was an object of anuse- ment, if not of contempt. As to the more ardent love-making he made one attempt one moonlight night on the broad veranda--but no more. The response was so un- expected and decisive that he re- ceived what he termed, "the jolt of his life" They became very good friends, however. and enjoyed many a ride on the hardy little ponies over the rolling prairies and many an animated talk on the yeranda. He began to see new life of which he never had dreamed and to catch glimpse of things which had hitherto had no place in his scheme of life.
 Finally he discovered that the girl had made a place in his life never oc- cupied by any human being before and that his life before he met her had been hollow and gray. and the thought of a future without her became intol- erable. Being given by nature and training to prompt action he proposed to her and was not much surprised when she refused him with good deal of emphasis.
 1T do not know how serious you are, MT. Mason she said Tn fact, your sincerity always Is matter of some doubt to me-because you are so diff ferent, you know. If you are thor oughly in earnest I am very sorry; if not you are trifiing with a very sacred subject and should be ashamed
 He protested his entire sincerity and spoke with so much less fiippancy than usual that she begged his pardon for the suggestion and said:
 Tt is impossible Our lives and ideals are so far apart that I wonder that you do not see the impossibility. I could not live in your world and you could not live in mine am very sor- ry, because I like you so much as friend and I hate to lose you"
 "Oh, you can't lose me-" replied Joe cheerfully, but his face was rueful and he did not regain his cheerfulness for many days Tn fact he took to cow punching with a vigor that did won ders for his health.
 Spellman, at his request, put him on regularly with the rest of the punch CTS and insisted on paying him full wages. He worked like a demon and soon mastered the art He still occu- pied his old apartments, when not too far to return at night and saw con siderable of Dora He plunged into reading with zest he never had felt before and he followed her suggestions closely in the matter of a choice of books. A new world began to unfold to him and the narrowness of his old life and the futility of all the rush and feverishness of the city grew upon him. His health and strength irn- proved apace. He was better than he ever had been, but still he fingered on One day he received a letter from his old firm urging him to return and of fering him largely increased salary with promise of partnership in the future. He took 1t to Dora and she was delighted with his good fortune. But don't want to go without you" he said.
 Don't, please" she replied "It cam not be-"
 So he went hack to the city, but he carried with him new impulses and bigger ideas Of life and ideals very diff fefent than he had brought with him His friends marysled greatly at the change.
 After be had sgone Dora was sur I prisedFto find how lonely the ranch was, She missed his cheery, bright i breeziness.F She had been greatly in- l terested in watching his nature unfold and had8elt fiattered quite naturally, at his submission to her as a precep- l tor. Then. too. theshonest love of a good man is not displeasing to any woman Tn fact she thought of him a grea8 deal rather too much for her l peace of mind
 One day about six months after he left she was surprised and not wholly ! displeased to see him dismount at the door
 What, broken down again alreadyi" she said, greeting him.
 fssNo, he replied, Am better than ever. BIit there's no use trying, II sfhlply cant stand, it. would rather be a cowpuncher where I E ean see you now and then, than to De uaerchant prince where you are no part of my life, I'm going to strike your father for job. Would svsoiat asSociate with me if Tluas O roo,,-