Red River prospector. (Red River, Taos County, N.M.) 1900-190?, 1906-08-09
By CHARLES EDMUND BARKER.

ried q friend or two with him ca these
excursions; but they were rarely any
of his old friends of the bar.
At least once he asked Miss Mitch
ell to ride with him, but she met the
proposal with a cheerful mo, thank
YOU" that left 10 for doubt
about her decision.
A morning came on which he at
tended to his correspondence with
more than usual care. In addition to
the regular grind of business he wrote
some long delayed missives to old col
lege demonstrating, brilliant, uncon-
ventioual letters they were, full of
the boyish spirit which the major still
held, Notwithstanding his acknowl-
edged IS years. When he had quite
finished, he drew from his pocket an
important looking paper.
Miss Mitchell, / have a very par
ticullr matter l wish to speak about
No, you needn't take my words down
on paper-Tm not debating. The fact
isl am-thinking of-well, giving yJ1
the chance of debating some to me, II
you think proper"
"Why-what do you mean, Mr.. Eds
bourne she asked, her large, heavy
dashed eyes looking the utmost Won
der.
TITS a very simple matter, Miss
Mitchell-at least / used to think it
was when l observed the symptoms in
other folks. But-don't look at me
like that-you might pretend you are
taking notes; some one will see and
wonder what we are talking about
"Oh, if it's anything-improper, q
mustn't say it, Mr.. Ebsbourne." She
was plainly agitated.
Not the very least improper, little
one, but the most natural thing that
ever occurred to me in all my wild,
harum-scarum life. No, listen calmly;
if what l say is not pleasing you, l
will stop, and we will not talk about
it any more love you. Don't start
so, Miss Mitchell. l have loved You
ever since the first time you looked
at me with those clear, liquid, honest,
pure eyes of yours. l have read in
their depths more than l ever discov-
cred in my wanderings over two conti-
ntulHs L VIII uOL uGWlluGI gOu ny lly-
ing to tell you all l feel; for in so
doing I would only bewilder myself. !
want to give you just the idea and
leave you TO think it over and get used
to it. l can't help loving you, any
more than l could help breathing or
living if l didn't breathe"
'Why-Mr. Ebsbourne," she replied,
ct don't fhful Cara for Won in nnW
way like that"
Il didn't expect you to, little me-.
But you can give me a little hope,
can't you? You don't dislike me, do
your
Il think o are very kind"
That's enough that's enough
Don't need to say another word. I'll
go now and let you get used to the
idea of having a lover"
Thank you" was all Miss Mitchell
could think of to say.
True to his word, the major did not
urge his attentions upon the little
stenographer.
The sequel was none of the majors
planning. He only knew that he was
speeding down the river road one
afternoon, when a young horse driven
by a market gardener took fright and
plunged about, backing the heavy wag-
on directly across his way at the no
ment When he supposed the driver was
going to be able to manage his team
without further difficulty.
There was a crash ant the major
felt a sharp twinge of pain. When he
again Cponed his eyes, they were car
rying him in at the ladies' entrance OF
the Windsor,
A girlish form and white face
pushed through the tangled Grove of
people about him, and a pair of soft
pink arms slipped about his neck.
The reactionary pains were settling in,
but the presence of those arms seemed
to lift the tension from his CULVER
ing nerves, aud he felt as comfortable
as a baby on it's mothers breast. And
there came flowers every day, and
many little home comforts that the
major had not seen or thought much
about since ne was a chunk of a boy.
AT last there came a day when the
doctor told the major he might see
his friends. The major said something
in the strictest confidence 20 his nurse,
and after a very long time Miss Mitch
ell came up accompanied by a sweet
faced, notherly little woman in black,
whom the major knew by instinct
must be Miss Mitchell's mother.
Mr.. Ebsbourne,' said Miss Mitchell,
timidly, Il didn't know l cared in that
way, but / TO-"
Copyright, 1906. by Daily story Pub. Coz