The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1904-05-04

HON iopeu easily ulOnS tne WIDE
"a -dng aloud for very joy OF light
heartedness. Out here, away from
% cities and crowds, how good life was.
The train was in, and Atherley hur-
ried around the corner, then halted
suddenly, dazzled by the vision which
confronted him. On the lower steps of
car near the middle Of the train stood
q girl, her fair hair blowing in the
wind. her hands full of pink roses, her
eyes gazing straight into his. For
second neither moved. Then, as voice
from within called Marion" the girl,
with a quick flush, turned up the steps.
and Atherley, stricken with the con.
seriousness of his dusty CHAPS" huge
spurs and sombrero, slipped back. He
mad quite forgotten his letter. The en-
CINE gave preliminary snort, the con-
ductor yelled "All aboardv but Ather.
ley still stood motlonless, his eyes fixed
on the car wherein she had disap-
peared. As the slow length of the train
began to move the girl slipped back to
the platform for moment, and on the
ground almost at Atherley's feet fell a
pink rose. To spring forward, seize
the flower, then swing aboard the last
car as 1t passed was to AtherIey but
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 way and
stock.
Jim will take the horse back" he
reasoned. ITS all right. Luckily
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 OPP
tmism.
At the next stop he sneaked forward
to the smoking car and sat down to
think things over. She was certainly u
mighty pretty girl! Atherley, feeling
for the rose. hidden in his breast pock-
ct. 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 corner. All eyed him Gu.
riously, but Atherley had an inspira-
ton. If he worked them right. amused
them, told them queer experiences,
they might supply him with food and
drink. and as for cigars, well, he must
husband those he had carefully. In
pursuance Of this idea he moved near
er, and soon held the group enthralled
with his breezy frankness.
$50 you really just jumped on the
train and cameY asked an older man
at length. when Billy had grown |
aweary of his talk and moved away, |
"and for no other reason than that you
wanted to see the world?" Atherley |
laughed rather shamefacedly.
That's what 1 told those fellows. !
But l don't mind telling you The truth.
1t was-it was on account of girl"
he said, halLingly. The older mans I
lips twitched.
"A girl! How SOP
Il saw her on the car step" con.
fessed Atherley. ''And-and | liked
her" he ended, lamely. NOT even to
himself did he care to mention the rose.
81 wonder If you have seen herY' he
added, eagerly "She had on some
kind of blue skirt, with white waist
and carried some roses. They called
her Marion"
"Marion" he exclaimed, why. that's
my daughter" unthinkingly Then he
stopped, rather annoyed 4 young
ranchman, no matter how charming
and gentlemanly, was hardly person
to Oe presented 10 the carefully guard.
ed Marion, But ,Atherley was too alb,
sOrbed 10 notice the hesitation
Your daughter he cried Really