Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1905-05-12


clear after the rain of the night
before, and young Atherley, as
his horse loped easily along the wide
range, sang aloud for very joy of
Nshthoartedness. 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 a car near the middle of the train
stood a 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 a
voice from within called Marion" the
girl, with a quick flush, turned up the
steps, and Atherley stricken with the
consciousness Of his dusty Chaps
huge spurs and sombrero, slipped
back. He had quite forgotten his let
ter. The engine gave preliminary
snort, the conductor yelled "All
aboardP' but Atherley still stood mo-
tionless, his eyes fixed on the car
wherein she had disappeared. AS the
slow length of train began to move
the girl slipped back to the platform
for moment, and on the ground, al
most at Atherley's feet, fell a pink
rose. TO spring forward, seize the
flower, then swing aboard the last car
as it passed was to Atherley 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 thought forced a way, and
his first act was to take account Of
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 op-
t1miSm.
At the next stop he sneaked for
ward to the smoking car and sat down
10 think things over. She was GER
tainly 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 corner. All eyed him
curiously, and 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 came" asked the older maj
at length, when Billy had growI
aweary of his talk and moved away
"and for no other reason than tina
you wanted to see the wOrld" Ather
ley laughed rather shamefacedly.
That's what | told those fellows
But don't mind telling you the truth
IT vast was on account of a girl,
he said, haltingly. The older man
lips twitched.
"A girl! How soT"
81 saw her on the car step" cor
fessed Atherley. "And-and | like
her." he ended lamely, not even to hin
self did he care to mention the ros,
II wonder if you have seen herr" h
added, eagerly. "She had on some kin
kind OF blue skirt, with a whit
waist, and carried some roses. The
called her Marion
The older man started.
"MarionW he exclaimed, "why, that
my daughter unthinkingly. Then b
stopped, rather annoyed. A youn
ranchman, no matter how charmin
and gentlemanly, was hardly perso
to be presented to the carefully guar,
ed Marion. But Atherley was too al
sorbed to notice the hesitation.
Your daughter! he cried. "Reall