The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-11-09

ter, presented himself at the
~ OAK ranch just twenty-four
hours after he was due. His mien COM
bined vagueness with hostility, and he
harnessed up the stage that Peter
Hamilton had driven over the day be-
fore, when his prospective passengers
were looking, with a graphic panto-
mimic representation Of take it or
leave it." Under the circumstances
Miss Carmichael and the fat lady con-
sented to be passengers with much the
same feeling Of finality that one might
have on embarking for the planet Mars
in an airship.
Here's some bread and meat and a
bottle of cold coffee, if you live to need
it" was Mrs. Dax's grim prognostica-
ton of accident. Leander, being of an
emotional nature, could scarce restrain
his tears-the advent of the travellers
had created welcome variation in the
mOnotony of his dutiful routine he
felt all the agitation Of parting with
lifelong friends. Mary Carmichael and
Judith promised to write-they had
found a great deal to say to each other
the preceding evening.
Chugg cracked his whip ominously,
and the travellers got inside, not daring
to trust themselves to the box.
The journey with Chugg was but a
repetition of that first days staging
the sagebruSh was scarcer, the noun
tains seemed as far off as ever, and
the outlook was, If possible, more DESC
late. The entry in Miss Carmichaeps
diary, inscribed in malformed char
acters as the stage jolted over ruts
and gulies, reads: Il do not mind tell
ing you, in strictest confidence, .Dere
Diary'-as the little boy called you
that when I so lightly severed my con-
nection with civilization had no idea
to what an extent I was going in for
the prairie primeval. How on earth
does a woman who can write a letter
like Mrs. Yellett stand it? And where
on the map Of North America is Lost
Trail?'
The fat lady had never relaxed her
gaze from Chugg's back since the stage
had started. She peered at that broad
expanse Of flannel shirt through the
tiny round window, like careful sail
ing master sweeping the horizon for
possible storm clouds. At every por-
ton Of the road presenting a steep de-
cline she would prod Chugg in the back
with the handle of her ample umbrella
and demand that he let her out, as she
preferred walking.
do you think you are a-picnicking,
that you crave nominating round these
yere solitoodes? And he cracked his
whip and adjured his team with caba-
hstic imprecations.
Did you notice if Mrs. Dix Civ him
any cold coffee, same as she did us?'
anxiously inquired the fat lady from
her lookout.
Mary hadn't noticed :
'Hes drinking something out of
brown bottle; seems to relish it a heap
moren he would cold Coffee" reported
the watch. "Hi, there! Hi, Mr.. Chuggv'
"Unl-m-m" he grunted savagely, ap-
plying watery eye to the round win
dow. -.-
Nothing" answered the fat lady,
quite satisfied at having her worst
fears confirmed.
Chugg returned to his driving as one
not above the weakness of seeing and
hearing things.
"'Tain't Coffee
'Could you smell it?" questioned Ma
~ anx1ously.
"You never can tell that way when
they arc plumb picked in it, like him"
''Then how did you know it wasn't
coffee?''
ellis eyes had fresh watered."
Mary collapsed under this expert tes-
timony. "What are we going to do
about it?"
appeal to him as gentleman said
the fat lady, not without dramatic ill.,
tonation.
"You appeal" counseled Mary. II
saw him look at you admiringly when