The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-03-11
LOVES
TICKET

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r. OUsABY said things to himself and
the atmosphere. They old not
II sound as badly as he latended, for
they were strained through a huge
black beard which Rousaby had
accumulated during a three years
stay near the top Of the Shintone pass
Rousabys conversation. though adj
dressed to the rarfied mountain air. was
directed toward young wOman-at least
Rousaby gathered that It was a young
woman-on the train some hundred feet
below
Now Rousaby had come to the top Of
Shintone trail partly because he hated
women in general and partly because he
well.
For four years Rousaby had watched
her develop from the raw girlhood stage
into womanhood mt to command atten-
tion In royal drawing room.
Being In Democratic country. royal
drawing rooms were not convenient, but
the stir Ruth Girtons debut had made in
society was only equaled by the an
nouncement three months later that she
was to marry John Hayes
Hayes had a reputation that was un-
speakable. hut his bank account was
heavy and he virtually bought the at
tractive Miss Girton.
Then Rousaby had decided that his
heart was broken and made for Montana.
Three months later the mountain air had
ical vision. and he was content with
things as they were.
He lived a very happy life atop Big
Hin mountain. where he had located a
mineral claim He did not take out
much gold but he made enough lot cniy
70 provide himself with food and cloth
ing. but to permit the addition Of little
iuxuries such as an occasional box OF
blackened briar
He worked the claim alone and gloried
IN his solitude. He had first built a camp
shack. but this had been replaced by
neat three-roOm hut Of square logs.
Rousaby had had a man up to help him
but the ideas were his own, and it was
noted as being the only log hut in that
part of the country in which the meals
another II was really a very comforta-
bic place. and even in winter Rousaby
suffered small Inconvenience.
He had been living this all over as he
watched the figLEe on the trail below
Presently turn In the road brought her
to the little plateau on which tine hermit
hid built.
AS she drew near Rousaby knew her to
be Miss Hawkins who had been imported
from the East to teach the youth Of Big
Hin city the three RS and other educa-
tional tricks. Big Hill city, at it's last
census numbered 727 people.
There had been one shooting scrape
since then. but Miss Hawkins had arrived
and that still made the count correct
The last time Rousaby had been down
10 the Wells-Fargo Office with his cleanup
he had heard much talk Of Miss Hawkins.
Indeed the little woman had Immediately
become a person Of greater Importance
than the mayor.
His honor had lived in Big Hill City all
his life and had been one Of them. Miss
Hawkins was being from another
world. She wore trained dresses In the
schoolroom, and insisted that the chill
dren wash their faces every morning.
Big Hill City admired the dresses. but
all agreed the latter innovation to be too
radical
Miss Hawkins swung on the burro be-
fore the astonished Rouseby could re-
call himself and assist her.
Good morning she called in a CHEEKY
for some photographs. They all told me
that the best place for pictures was up
here. You certainly seem to have picked
your claim with an eye to the beautiful
1 never saw such magnificent view.
Now tsiss Hawkins might have said a
great many things TO ROusaby. Nothing
else would have been half as effective
He thawed instantly.
1T is pretty place" he said "and
assure you that you are most welcome
Let me help YOU"
He unloaded with some surprise the
heavy package slung on the burro's back
Il TINS was a camera i was no toy snap-
shot machine.
ne led the burro to the little stable in
the rear Of the cabin, unsaddled il and
shook down some feed.
When he came around front again the
competent young woman had already set
up the heavy 1ux12 camera and was TO-
cusing on the very view that appealed
He came up and stood beside her. She
smiled pleasantly as she emerged from
under the black cloth and reached for a
plate holder.
Il suppose" she said pleasantly. that
" would be better II / were introduced
to you In due form. Permit me to an
nounce myself as Alice Hawkins"
Somehow Rousaby was relieved I'm
very glad it's you he said simply, II
thought you might be some tourist. L
didn't know teachers required cameras as
large as that
But why are you glad that l am Miss
Hawkins?"
because then you win be here all
winter
Miss Hawkins flushed slightly. This
was rather dsquietsng, but his next
words relieved the situation Of anything
personal.
''You see. he continued. II get down to
see a real woman sometimes. l can't
exactly explain, but
II think l understand" she said quiet
ly.
frowsy women-and had heard somewhat
of his story. She turned to her photog-
raphy. and for a moment he stood quiet
while she made the exposure
Then she turned to him brislkly This
is not my camera she said Back
East / made quite success with some
small pictures. / took several prizes for
landscape work, and when l came West
an art firm loaned me my camera. sup
Piled me with plates and promised to pay
me well for all the good negatives l sent
back e them SO out every clear Sat
urday and | felt that l must simply in
wade your domain
I'm glad you did, he said heartily
You are more than welcome"
She laughed lightly. why. l thought
YOU hated all wOmen2'
"Do you know" he said ingenuously,
"that ! thought the same thing until
twenty minutes ago."
The flush mantled her cheek again. but
as rapidly faded. There was something
OF the imperaonai in Rousabys compli-
ments which robbed them Of direct sig
nifcance.
Rousaby insisted that she must let him
cook the lunch. and she stared as she
surveyed the table with hot venison
steak broiled over the Goals, delicious
coffee, skillet bread a tin Of preserves,
a jar OF cheese and a tablecloth
This last caught her eve. II was rather
odd to find refinements of civilization
here on top of Big Hill mountain. Rous-
ably guessed her thoughts.
Its not hard to be decent" he said |
simply, even In the Wilderness
She looked at him curiously She had
been somewhat afraid OF venturing to
Rousabys cabin, even for the sake of the |
coveted photographs. Now she was glad
that she. had come.