The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1904-05-03

"Heigho!" remarked Joe. to himself
one day after he had been at the Spell
mans couple Of weeks. THAT rs
quite a girl I see a chance to pass. my
spare time very pleasantly. Nothing
Ike a 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 it ali. I'll have
to put en- little city hnesse and take
fall out Of her nerve. Hope she won't
take II too hard, as I'd hate to pass
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 il he really
amounted to as much as he had sup
posed. after all. All the arts of small
talk and airy persifage which he had
found to be the expected and effective
thing with the city girls of his expert
ences he found to be of no avail with
this western maid. except to leave
himself with the uncomfortable convic-
ton that he was an object of amuse-
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 I'M
expected and decisive that he re-
ceived what he termed "the Jolt of his
life" They became very good friends,
however. and enjoyed many ride on
the hardy little ponies over the rolling
prairies and many an animated talk
on the veranda He began to see a
new life of which he never had
dreamed and to catch a glimpse of
things which had hitherto had no place
in his scheme of life.
Finally he discovered that the girl
had made 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 future without her became intol-
cradle. 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
Il do not know how serious you are.
Mr.. Mason" she said. "In fact. your
sincerity always is a matter of some
doubt to me-because you are so diff
ferent, you know. If you are thor
oughly in earnest am very sorry; II
not you are trifiing with a very sacred
subject and should be ashamed"
He protested his entire sincerity ard
spoke with SC much less fippancy than
usual that she begged his pardon for
the suggestion and said:
1T is impossible. Our lives and
ideals are so far apart that l wonder
that yop do not see the impossfbility.
| could not live in your world and Won
could not live in mine. I am very sor-
ry, because l like you so much as a
friend and l 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. In fact he took to cow
punching with. vigor that did won.
ders for his health.
Spellman, at his request, put him on
regularly with the rest Of the punch
ers and insisted on paying him full
wages. He worked like a demon and
soon mastered the art He still occu-
pied his old partments, 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 i'm
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 a largely increased salary
with promise of a partnership in
the future. He took it to Dora and she
was delighted with his good fortune
But l don't want to go without
you" he said.
Don't. please" she replied. at can
not be-"
So he went back to the city. but he
carried with him new impulses and
bigger ideas of life and ideals very diff
! Gerent than he had brought with him.
His friends marveled greatly at the
change
After he had gone Dora was sur
prised to find how lonely the ranch
was. She missed his CHEEKY, bright
breeziness. She had been greatly in
terested in watching his nature unfold
and had felt fiattered. quite naturally,
at his submission to her as a precep-
tor. Then, too, tn honest love of a
good man is not displeasing TO any
woman. In fact, she thought of him
great deal-rather too much for her
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 already"
she said. greeting him.
NO" he replied. "Am better than
ever. But there's no use trying.
i simply can't stand it. l would
rather be a cowpuncher where
can Saa vnu now and then than m