Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-01-22

Then they played at a botany lesson
in which they both were students under
the professor. The train stopped in the
open prairie tina the engineer might
fix something, and Ransome made a
hurried trip afield for specimens. The
desert yielded little but tough, brown
ish-colored plants of several varieties,
tho he did find one or two bright flow
ers in a little spot which nature had
not blfghted.
They pulled the flowers apart, learn
ing the old botany story over again
from sepal to anther. Plain, everyday
sage brush became Artemisia tridenta
and less significant plants even took on
most dignified names. There was one
which the professor did not recognize,
and they examined 1t curiously.
The rear end brakeman, a rawboned
westerner more used to cowboy buck
skin than the blue and brass he was
wearing, watched them closely. Final
ly he came to the rescue. saying:
THAT there's greasewood."
"Ah, yes" said the professor, II re-
member now-Sarcobatus v~ermiculat-
u.s."
Nav; greasewood!" corrected the
i brakeman, WueTeupOH LIE OOtdIly C1oCS
laughed at the professor.
On another three minute trip for spe-
cimens, Ransome brought in an arm
full of poison oak. The professor recog-
nized it from afar and cried to him to
drop 1t, but too late. Yet the boy" was
not sorry, for presently, when his hands
began to burn and puff in places. she
got some cooling ointment and applied
it with her w hands.
There was but one thorn In his world
of roses-Marina was too utterly fond
of playing with that baby. Zone might
almost think she owned it." he COM
planned to the professor. It cornforted
him somewhat, however. to Think that
she was motherly. That was a neces-
sary trait in the who was to
be his.
isn't she a dream!" he said that
evening as he fingered over a night
lcap' with the man. II love her al
ready" he conflded. "and I'm going to
tell her before we arrive"
Go it, bny!" said the other, with a
knowing smile. you are young y~t."
well, you're not much of a man If
she hasn't got into your blood" he re-
taliated.
The morning found them In Nevada
with the desert well behind, a glorious
section of Goods country" before them
and rugged mountains all around. He
lsaid good morning to her at Reno. and
they paced the platform industriously
for Ave minutes. He helped her feed
mart Of a box Of candy to some Indian
ichildren, and was as happy as tho the
world were his, for she was smiling on
him.
He was with her that afternoon, and
together they gazed at the Sierra seen
cry thru ~aggravating breaks IN tne
snowsheds. Once, when they swung
intola particularly dark tunnel, ne ven
tured to press her hand. HIS was
in his mouth until she answered 1t with
lust a touch Of a finger a strange
little laugh. which was followed by
"You are young!" But he rather liked
1t. for he was sure she hought MN
old in experience and works.
Darkness had settled on sunset land
before the train was ferrted across
the first neck Of the bay ana began
the last short lap between Fort Costa
and the Oakland Mole. 1t was mere
that he had decided to pour out the tuli
story of his beautiful, bountifui love.
He was on his way to find her when
the sound of her voice halted him at
the half open door OF her compartment.
She was speaking softly to something
on the soft seat. 1t was the baby.
How she loves babies" he said to
himself, and straightway became an
unblushing e~avesdropper.
And his is what he heard and saw:
"You darling Dolores. How your
mother loves you" She kisses the child
who, being unable to speak, COOS and
gurgles it's delight. You are the very
Image of my angel, and he's your w
dear father. Brown eyes smile at
mother"
There was more Of 1t, but he had
heard enough to convince him.. He
staggered back to the club a like q
man walking in his sleep,
did you tell herr" asked h man.
who was waiting the result Of the Is
sue with amused interest.
mo, and I can't now he said. Bit
terly. Pound, old man., she's married,
and that's her baby-the cute one with
the big brown eyes; and Doesn't
it beat the Dutch?"
you didn't ask me, or I would have
told you at frst." he said, smiling
wisely.
You knew all the times
"At the Chicago station I saw her
part from the husband, a big. handsome
chap, and never was a parting more
loving
"Two whiskys. steward" said the
boy" Then, turning to the man" he
muttered, Its a hard world" After
that he forced a laugh. The woman
who looked the mother part must have
been the maid"
Here, Pound" he said, holding up
his glass when they were served. drink
to her eyes and that lucky dog OF a
husband."
That's the way to take 1t. my boy.
like a man."
AS he went back to her for. good-by
he kept saying to himself, am
young"
She was waiting in their old corner,
more striking than ever in a blue tall
ormade with navy buttons Of gold to
give martial effect.
s"Thfs has been the most JOYOUS Cross. \