The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-31
TESTIMONY OF AN EXPERT
BY GERTRUDE E. LAMBERT. Copyright, 1905, by Daily Story Pub.

BY GERTRUDE Es LAMDnnHs Ifcopyright, 1905. by Daily Story Pub. Co)
 It was their last climb.--their very
 lasti The thought persisted in re- beating itself over and over, to the exclusion of more interesting ideas. Of course 1t wasI Why shouldn't 1t be? She had spent a most delightful | vacation out here among the noun tains and forests of washington; but l 1t was over now. Tomorrow she would
 start eastward.-back to the burdens of life and work again. Pshawt She mentally shook herself. It wasn't burden, when she came away. only few months ago. 1t was the pride and ambition of her life.---what she had dreamed of, and worked for. through hard. toflsome years at school and college, and afterward. It was the i'll health that had sent hex here, that had been the burden, such a mis- erable, discouraging burden to bear. But that would be left behind. in her going back. what more could she aski Gcing back, well and strong. to the long coveted position, which she had gained by months.-yes years of earnest, conscientious. effort. She ought to be the happiest, most thank full girl in the world.--and she was. It was only that Curt. her guide. friend and comrade of the past months, Curt Burrows was so glum and moody, lately, 1t made her nerv- GUS and morbid. She wondered If he were sorry-then she stopped. She was no foolish. sentimental girl. this independent bachelor maid. She glanced up at the tall, muscu- lar figure in rough cowboy attire. stalking around by her side. just as he looked down at her, and their eyes met. He put out his hand to as- sist her up a sharp incline, then, reach ing a level space, they turned to look back at the little group of ranch build ings in the valley below. "Sit down." he commanded abrupt | ly, indicating by a slight gesture, a large, flat rock, and she obeyed. why don't you sit down, too?' she | asked, merely for the sake of making conversations; and he threw himself down beside her.
 tomorrow at this time I shall be on my way east" she remarked with l assumed cheerfulness.
 Are you glad to go?" His eyes
 were so searching,-so wistful that | they, some way, proved disconcerting. "I-why-yes. of course-I must go," she stammered.
 Don't go, Miss Randalls,-Olive, we have been so happy together. You will be sick again if you go back stay here with me. He had risen to sitting posture. and laid his strong,
 brown hand over hers, as 1t lay beside her on the rock. She hesitated. He was so alluring, so compelling, as he sat there
 watching her with eager. pleading eyes-so capable and re1iable.-sO
 much Of the glad, free west as she had learned 1t, and--yes. loved 1t.
 Then she turned her eyes to the val ley below, and the moment of weak
 ness passed. She drew her hand
 away. 'T can't, Curt" she said stead
 fly. T won't try do deny that I like you. for I do and you know 1t; but I cant stay. I must go back to my work
 Why? he persisted. If you love me. why don't you stay with me?'
 She pointed at the valley below
 That Is why" she said, almost tragi- cally.
 He looked and saw the little group of ranch buildings. the trail leading away beyond. Plainly he did not un- derstand.
 T mean the way the woman live here. No. society; no recreation: the nearest store or shop, and railroad ten or twenty miles away. Look at your sister down there. She does not see a woman's face. outside her mir TOT. often for weeks at a stretch.
 She had fallen far short of saying what she felt, what such an existence meant to her: but her arguments were silencing if not convincing
 The pat. pat of horses hoofs on the trail above, drew their attention to a woman on a pony. coming down to- ward them. She was dressed in the regulation western riding costume. for her sex: divided skirt: stout shoes and gloves: modified sombrero hat, dle and managing her spirited pony with the ease and skill of long ex- perience.
 Do you want our picture?" she called merrily. as Olive reached for her camera, to catch a snap shot Shall we pose, for you?' Then, in accordance with few direction from Olive, she took the desired position, with ready good nature.
 Billy Boy and I get accustomed to being photographed she laughed, as she swung herself off the pony, after greeting Burrows and acknowledging the introduction of his companion.
 How delightful 1t must be to ride as you can," said Olive almost en- viously
 Don't you rider" Inquired the new conner.
 No. I never learned; I don't SUD- pose that could"
 Learn! You don't have to learn" laughed the other. "All you have to