The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-12-23
pRuSILLA,S CHOOSING.

4n.y .s4l ' ..t tf l -sa H 1l
 Gordon keItt and rod Rogefs were eating supper in what they called the living room of the s'shack" when the stage, dnst-covered and numbering, drew up in front of the door. There was girl on the seat by the driver. She leaned forward impetuousIy.
 This is El Paso. MT, Keith's ranch, isn't ftT' she demanded by way of lfi- 1 troduction. I'm Drusilla Cameron, and I've come to surprise my brother Ned-'
 And before the astonished Keith could reply. she had scrambled down over the wheel, while the stage driver grinned widely in delight at the sit- uaticn and admiration of the girl She was all in brown. from her pongee dust coat to her low shoes: her hair was chestnut color. and so were the eyes that looked out frankly from under the rim of her smart travelling hat.
 aBesides,~ she continued. T knew that if telegraphed beforehand. you'd have everything all hxed up for me. and I wanted to see you fast as you
 "You've certainly done thht. Miss Cameron,T laughed Ksith. with a rue ! ful glance at the heIter-ske. ter supper table. and the walls where leather saddles and skins and gayly colofed magazine covers jostled for promi- hence. Rogers, who sat speeches., cof- fee cup in hand, at her -hrst sntrance, now went to help the driver with her 1 luggage. while Keith. rising to his duties as host, badef her welcome. and hung up her hat and coat on a peg on the wall. He apologlEed profuselS for the appearance of the sup CT table, the heavy China, and the plated knives and forks from wh.on every vestiEe of silver was fast disappearing; but Drusllla laughed. and said that 1t was just as she hoped lt would be, and please. since she was rayenonsy hum | gry. eouidn't she begin right away?" And where was Ned all th.s times she questioned and when would he be in7 She was dyJns to see htnt Hs had told her how well and tanned he was. and~sow good Keith and Rogers had been te him ens.ing ial his f., four s,r them enough for what they had done for the boy, and--oh. there he was now!
 And she rushed out the doorway as a pfairheaded young fs low of eighteen came gailoping up on his broncho. "we'll clear out and let them have supper together" said Keith 10 Rogers. And while that's going on I'll Ak up lmy room for her, and you ean ride. over to J9ssop's and get Mrs Malone. gnes& she will be willing to cooK for us for a couple of weeks. She isn't equal to the Waldorf-Astoria. but she can get a good, plain meal '"This sure is the most excitement since Big Pete shot up Las Gorros" drawIed Rogers. I'm Offfs Later in the evening prus'lia. dis- claiming all fattsue, sat outside with Keith's banto on her knee, and sang them all. Ithe latest songs. till. as Ned deciared:f' could Jusr see the lights of Broadway, and hear the clack -cIack of the hansoms rolling by Seems strange to think of 1t 0ut here." he added. half beneath his breath. From where they were slttilg they could see the Texas plains rolling away to the skyline. shaaowy. inma- table, full of the mystery of the nfght The wind blew past them sweet with the breath of great Rapaces. The stars shown very large and bright and clear. DrusiIla's lips partep.
 No. this isn't very much like it" she echoed.
 sAre you gIadg' Keith challenged l T don't know---yet," she answered slowly. "It's the first time that I've ! ever been away from the metroWlis, for summer resorts full of city poopie don't count, do they?'
 They do not" said keith decidedly, For an instant their eyes met and
  of man who seemed as 9mulutab.e as he plains themselves. He was above the average height, bronzed and deep- chested, and his gray eyes had the dir rect searching gaze of these accustom- ed to looking at great distances. Tn the days that followed, it was Gordon Keith who mon0pol'ze the greater share of her time and thoughts, and 1t was with him tshe talked and tramp ed and rode. oh those rides--with the horses. feet tEiudding under her, her face glowing with the axhlliration, and her hair loosening and streaming out ike a bright pephant
 fTt's wonderful. Isn't .it2,- she said breathlessly refining in that she might sasten her rebeI'ious shairpins. Moth ing bet .vsen you end the sky. o." with you and the etfve of fine woPld.'
 Keith turned to her.
 ''Theu you are beg inning to feel the -a'l of It." he said quietly, Pas houed YOU would. And now I can say what I've been wanting to say ever since T first met youi will you marry me, nrusilLa.E
 she shook her head
 "Tm sorry" she sad softly "oh so sorryi if would be ve7al to tell you how r,@ah your friendship has meant 'o ne--you must have guessed that already. But what you ask is impos- sible"
 'sThen you do not--care7"
 Carer Her vo'ce wavered on the word. "Ah. you don't know how near I've come to loving you. ard how I've soueht H down. for knew couldn't give up what's ealing to me from the citv I've left-all the cotilIions and the 1lvners' and teas of the life love, And YOU once belonged to lt, too. You've confessed as much Why" she made a little beseechinz gesture, why did you ever give 1t up?'
 Because was sick of being a pup- pet in evening clothes. because ! was fired to death of the shams and the tinsel and the faIsenesG. and I wanted and look rp to the stars md feel that [ was n man pfustll s-~----"
 "Nd, no" she begeed Don't ask me, for I eovidn't. couldn't.
 | Tn silence they rodO towards the shack The long light of the sunset glow were piled in the west Against the moi.en sky of red sud Rold a cowboy rider lored ir plcturesdue sIih9utte.
 ''It's big ard free and beautiful" Drusllia rourmured to herself, "but it's not for nie."
 the three mon at El Paso. Ned, perhaps missed her least of all for he was to 20 home In November. Rogers openly mourped at her denarture,
 Don't seem natural" he complain ed. mot to hear her step about the house. or her sougs in the evening,
 But Keith. who felt her going most. kept silent, carrying with him a long ing that would not be stifled.