Middletown transcript., 1904-07-30

AhN SOfl6 SlAbt otiOhS, a. -
MON line of surreys headed by
W. stage-coach. This was
a regular old Deadwood
affair, drawn by six horses, and it was a
matter of pride with everybody that
bygone driver had once been shot on the
box. 1t gave'us something to talk about
at the start and helped to break the ice
i mean as far as was concerned-iol
the others all seemed to know one another
and firstnames and pleasantries flew about
me on every side. l felt somewhat out ol
it, a man Of thirty, in such pack ol
youngsters, and though tried, as in duty
bound, to make myself agreeable, it stole
over me that was somewhat OF heavy
weight on the party. However, was
happy in my way and took comfort in
the glorious mountain air and the wood
land scent of the redwoods and pines.
1t was a delicious morning, the blue
of the mountains enhanced by a sort
Of smoky haze, and in the bottom oil
woody canons we could see splashng
streams threading their way far below
like silver. However, there was nothing
for one to do but to sit tight and take 1t
all in and enjoy, somewhat perfunctor-
lily, the companionship of the pretty girls
and jolly young men who were all bunch
ed in together. Though | had little part
in the universal gaiety, it pleased me none
the less to play spectator. l began to no.
tice that there was one girl, beautiful,
tall, blonde creature, on the box-seat,
who seemed as much out OF it as | myself,
and whose smile, when she turned her
head our way, betrayed similar lack OF
responsiveness. Her wide, questioning
ewes met mine more than once, and felt
dimly that she was i'll at ease, and under
some constraint amongst SO many strang-
ers. She was less good-natured about it,
too, than l, and wore little air OF dis
dain as the merriment grew fast and bois-
ferrous. l made an inward resolution that
she and I should spend good part OF that
picnic together and took the first occasion
to inquire her name from the girl next
me.
ELLA Jayes," she returned, snatching
a moment from fascinating young man
named Charlie, whose arm-well-was
resting on the backsof her seat.
"But who's Ella Jayes ?" l persisted.
'sOld Jayes's daughter" was the an
swer.
At the risk Of getting myself disliked, |
pressed for more information.
Charlie, seeing that the only way was
to make the best of it, made hast to en-
tighten me.
"Siskiyou County was good enough for
old Jayes to live in," he said, Sand good
enough for old Jayes to make barrels of
money in; but when it came to raising
daughters Las Twas Ranch wasn't in it
with the East She's out here now on a
visit, with nine trunks, and that air of
seeing you to blazes. :"
''She's to stuck up for anything" said
Charles little friend.
l looked again at this paragon of exclu-
siveness, and was struck afresh by her ex
treme beauty. Our eyes were constantly
meeting as she turned to listen to the
talk, and once it was very evident she
had asked the driver for my name and
made him repeat it to her several times
l watched her covertly for the rest of the
trip, managed to pass the time very agree
ably, and was surprised when somebody
said it was eleven O'Clock, and that we
were nearing our destination.
We branched off from the main road to
follow an old trail which carried US deep
into the heart of great canon. The trees
seemed to close behind us and hem us in
the track grew steadily worse and worse
the horses dragged us at walk. Far be-
low, unseen through the undergrowth
and the spreading tangle Of wild grape
vines, there rose the horse murmur of a
stream. We were all hushed by the no.
BILE Loneliness and the haunting sense of
hidden things that overawe one in the
primeval forest. The loud voices sank to
a lower key; the giggles and the laugh
ter ceased the drivers whip, cracking
like pistol, alone dared shiver the still
air with its startling explosions. Instinc-
lively the talk turned on gloomy subjects.
when we reached big, open
glade, and begun to unload ourselves and
a tremendous cargo of lunch, we were in
a state of mind to properly appreciate
the uncertainty of mans lot here below,
and the awful things that could unexpec-
tedly befall the very best of us. l was
not so overcome, however, that l did not
run round and help Miss Jayes down from
her high seat, and make this the means
Of becoming acquainted with her and
putting in sort of claim for her society.
We wandered off ourselves, with no very
precise idea of going anywherein particu-
lar, and set on log and talked.
81 hardly know why l came to-day"
she said. 81 hate rustic picnics, and this
Western two-and-two idea jars on my sus-
capabilities"
"Its the very essence OF all picnics, >"
said. "You ought to throw yourself more
into Western life. Besides, it's all very in
nocent and gay. 1t made me downright
envious to feel myself SO out Of it,.
"Oh, the spirits all right" she return
ed, ''only don't like to see girls making
themselves SOL" She broke off with a |
title smile. you know what l mean,"
The added.
"Ofcourse, it's so different in the East"
remarked ironically.
"Tm sorry you didn't find somebody |
more to mind" she said.
"Oh, there's lots like in you," Isaid.
81 didn't know you were that kind OF |
nan at all, she remarked, in tone that
vas shade unkind.
"There's wild heart hidden under
his striped waistcoat," remarked.
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