Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1905-09-16
YOUNG ATHERLEY'S LUCK.

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
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 girl, her fair hair blowing in
the wind, her hands full of pink roses,
her eyes gazing straight into his. For
II 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
consciousness Of his dusty chaps
huge spurs and sombrero, slipped
back. He had quite forgotten his let
ter. The engine gave a preliminary
snort, the conductor yelled "All
aboard!' but Atherley still stood mo-
tlonless, 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 1t 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-
| timism.
At the next stop he sneaked for
ward to the smoking car and sat down
to think things over. She was GER
talnly 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 n corner. All eyed him
cuIiously, and Atherley had an inspira-
ton. II 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.
80 you really just jumped on the
train and came" asked the older man
at length, when Billy had grown
aweary of his talk and moved away
land for no other reason than that
you wanted to see the world?" Ather-
ley laughed rather shamefacedly.
That's what l told those fellows
But don't mind telling you the truth
1t vast was on account Of girl,
he said, haldngly. The older mans
lips twitched.
"a GIRL How sol"
81 saw her on the car step" con
fessed Atherley. "And-and | liked
her." he ended lamely, not even to him
self did he care to mention the rose
"I wonder If you have seen herY he
added, eagerly. "She had on some kind
kind Of blue skirt, with a whit,
waist, and carried some roses. They
called her Marion"
The older man started.
Marion he exclaimed. 'why, that.
= my daughter" unthlnkingly. Then h,
stopped, rather annoyed. A younl
p ranchman. no matter how charming
and gentlemanly, was hardly person
to be presented to the carefully guard
ed Marion. But Atherley was too alb
sorbed to notice the hesitation.
your daughter he cried. Really
your daughter. oh. / say. what luck
That will save me an awful lot o.
time and trouble. l expected tn,
deuce of n JOB in locating her. Though
knew that l should do 1t in the end,
he added confidently. do you mint
telling me your Manner
2 MY nameT divided between lndig
} nation and mlrth, II am James Ar
2 buthnot," he declared rather pompous
2 ". But Atherley was clearly unlm
) pressed.
. Better and better" he cried. 4"
5 always was a lucky devil" joyously
2 The older man leaned back and stare,
S at him.
E MY dear young man." began he Il
5 his most formal manner, Il think W
= must understand each other. l ceI
tainly fail to see where the luck come
in" Atherley. starting in his turn, be
came suddenly enlightened.
"Of course. You mean that 20
don't know me-" he cried. "Oh, that
all right" easily. 1--WE heard da
speak Of you hundreds Of times. III
Billy Atherley. and I've just been on
looking up some properties in tn
4 Waat {"