The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-23


the work of another moment. Before
he had fairly realized it he was on the
train and speeding eastward as fast as
steam could carry him.
Practical thoughts forced a way, and
his first act was take account of stock.
Jim will take the horse back" he
reasoned tits all right. Luckily 1
have Just about enough for my ticket
to New York. Somehow he had de-
cided that she lived in New York And
as for meals Well. who knows what
may turn up?" with cheerful optimism
At the next stop he sneaked forward
to the smoking car and sat down to
think things over. She was certainly a
mighty pretty girl! Atherley, feeling for
the rose hidden in his breast pocket.
concluded that he would probably not
regret his action.
But I've got to get busy on the food
question
There were three or four other men
in the car. the younger ones chatting
together. and another. rather older.
reading in a corner. All eyed him
curiously, and Atherley had an inspi-
ration. If he worked them right.
amused them. told them queer expert
ences, they might supply him with food
and drink. and as for cigars, we'll he
must husband those he had carefully.
In pursuance of this idea he moved
nearer, and soon held the grouD en-
thralled with his breezy frankness.
so you really just jumped on the
train and came" asked an older man
al length, when Billy had grown
aweary of his talk and moved away.
land for no other reason than that you
wanted to see the world?' Atherley
laughed rather shamefacedly.
That's what 7 told those fellows.
But don't mind tell ing you the truth.
1t vast was on account of a girl he
said, haltingly. The older mans lips
twitched.
"A girl! How SOP"
II saw her on the car STEP confess
ed Atherley. "And-and 1 liked her.
he ended lamely, not even to himself
did he care to mention the rose. 81
wonder of you have seen her?" he ad-
ded, eagerly. "She had on some kind of
a blue skirt, with a white waist, and
carried some roses. They called her
Marion
The older man started.
"Marion!" he exclaimed, f'why,
that my daughter unthinkingly. Then
he stopped, rather annoyed. A young
ranchman, no matter how charming
and gentlemanly, was hardly a person
to be presented to the carefully guard
ed Marion. But Atherley was too abb
sorbed to notice the hesitation
Your daughter!' he cried. Really
your daughter, oh, 1 say, what lucki
That will save me an awful lot of time
and trouble. I expected the deuce of
a job in locating her. Though I knew
that should do it in the end" he ad-
ded confidently. do you mind telling
me your name?"
My name?" divided between indig-
nation and mirth. 81 am James Ar
buthnot," he declared rather POM
pously. But Atherley was clearly I'M
impressed.
Better and BETTER he cried. 'I al
ways was a lucky devil" joyously. The
elder man leaned back and stared at
him.
MY dear young man. began he in
his most formal manner, II think we
must understand each other. I certain
ly fail to see where the luck comes in
Atherley, staring in his turn, became
suddenly enlightened.
"Of course You mean that you don't
right" easily. I've heard dad speak of
YOU hundreds of times I'm Billy Ather-
ley, and I've just been out looking up
some properties in the west"
The old mans brow cleared somehow.
Not William H Atherley's SOM"
Atherley nodded.
THE same So now won't. you intro
1T would save such lot of time.
looked at the young fellow quizzically.
IF you are much like your father and
1 think you are, you would be hardly apt
to wait long for my services he remark
ask of you is please not to get married
before we reach New York. The tone
strove to be stern, but young Atherley
laughed happily
4 make no promises he declared with
gay defiance. rOh. here. hold a mo-
ment," as a sudden recollection of his I'M
mailed letter required to him. Pulling
out the envelope, he tore it into fras-
ments. letting the pieces float out of the
1T was to say that I wasn't coming
from Chicago. Now, if you are ready
A. NJ. D. Ogden, in San Francisco Call.