The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-09-06
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"But she's forty II she's a day"
plcaded Culver. Surely, Blake, you
don't want to marry woman seven
years older than yourself"
II shan't haye amy woman saying
that | broke faith.' hc said soberiy.
''The train from tho mines Ia going
down tomorrow. shall 20 with It."
iIs was NJ good M his word. When
tho train toiisd back across tho sandy
wastes the foreman declared that he
had seen Nnrbei board tho cnstbound
limited. and Culver gave up his time
to 9xing up the house,
There was little 10 do In tho orchard
Tho plants would not bear before the
following year. by which time there
would be- n spur OF track 10 the mines.
and they could ship the fruit. Mean.
while Nil no had 10 do was 10 500 that
the trees were irrigated aud that no
stray cattle got In. II was easy
enough, with tho help OF tho men. TO
set up n shack for himself and leave
the old house for Nnrbel and his bride.
He even had time 10 ride over md
toll the men nt tho mine OF the Joke.
and when nj last word came over their
wire that the pair was due 10 come out
with tho train they all gathered at the
ranch 10 welcome the new Mrs. Narbel
They rode ont 20 meet tho dust cloud
which marked the track Of the long
line OF wagons across the nlkali, but
tho figure In the buggy beside Nnrbel
was 40 Hwathod In duster and wells
that no hint OF her appearance could
be gained. and the men. with many
nudge and smile, fell in behind and
rode along.
They all turned In at the ranch gate,
but Nnrhel swung his wife ont OF tho
buggy and took her into the house.
"Mrr. Narb-l will be glad to meet you
when she has had chance to tidy
up" ho said. with grave face. but
che wants the dust on nrst."
Culver took the horse TO the stables
aud then rojoIncd the waiting group OH
tho grass plot In front Of the house.
Culver knew now why Narbel had In,
sisted upon graas plot.) They had not
long TO wait. for presently gasp from
the crowd caused Culver TO turn. and
there on The step stood Narbel and
the very girl OF tho picture. She was
smiling now ns she acknowledged the
various introductions. Culver was the
last to come up, for he had not recov.
cred from his amnzement until Narbcl
called TO him
Il feel that ought TO be very CRATE
full TO yon." she said In low voice.
even though you were trying TO play
Joke"
The Joke seems 10 be on no." he
said lamely,
II don't think there Is any Joke" she
said decidedly. 1T was just the work
ing Of fate"
Ile turned TO receive the farewells
OF the men from the mine. and more
than one jokcd him on his vivid imagi
nation. II was clear that they thought
no had been foollng them and he was
glad that he was nj least saved their
jeers, but II was with no pleasant an.
ticlpntIon that he followed Narbel and
his wife into the house.
"fou bulded better than you knew
Jack. when you sent that letter wrote
In Jest"
"But this Is not Lucy Mears," he
stammcrcd. II thought you were go.
Ing 10 keep faith at any cost"
Aunt Lucy died year ago" smiled
Mrs, Narbcl Il suppose no one wrote
you As was the only Lucy Mcars |
got the letter"
And | got the sweetest little woman
on earth" supplemented Narbel.
"And l." wound up Culver, 81 don't
know whether should be praised or
kicked. | think I'd prefer the latter"
But instead he received the praise.