The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-09-06
|isabol'sMissioj1:
Ey .Al4ii3 HElLMAN.

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up"
jim rose and, limping slowly over to
where the girl sat. stood looking down
upou her intently. She shifted uncom-
fortably under his gaze and finally
Slipped from her chair and fied igno-
miriously TO the farthest window,
where, she felt sure, Jim. suffering
from his swollen ankle, would not fol-
low her.
"And, BESIDES" she continued loftily
as he subsidized into the chair she had
vacated-"hesldas. | have no Intention
of ever marrying. feel that have
a mission which is altogether too i'm.
portant''-
"Huh,
"Oh. of course You are shocked
scandali2ed. In fact. Tom and Sally
were both seemingly outraged when |
told them what ] had decided ON. Ev-
cry one seems to think it's plainly a
girls mission in life to marry the first
man who con,lescends to ask her. but
| have entirely different ideas on the
subject, and l really feel that II Is my
mission to go and help teach those
poor. ignorant Chinese
ITO lie and cheat alice samee Mel.
lean man instead of guile!ess hea-
theu."
Jim Rrinsoa had never before pro-
posed to girl. aud her calm refusal
hurt. .-z
where are you geing? he asked
presently as Miss Amber In naughty
silence commenced to pin on her hat.
ITO the postoilice.' icily. The letter
announcing EIy appointment has Ger.
tainlT arrived by this time
you surely amt going 10 attempt 70
ride over 10 Ejnwa aud back today"
Il surely am"
But look at the weather. Can't yOu
see there's STERN coining:"
mo. cannot" answered Isabel. don.
ming 4 light jacket. The day is beau.
.ifu,."
wait until tomorrow. and one ~
the boys can 20. And. besides. Tom
has taken your pony out on TIE raage.
There amt Il nurse left that you can
ride"
Il Intend to ride FREELY" said Miss
Amber shortly.
Don't attempt To ride that cayuse."
warned ice. lie needs firm hand
or he's liable 10 take the bit In his
teeth any old time and 70 looping or
after any stray horse he'd spy gEuzing
on the range. He amt got a lick OF
sense and would be sure to balk and
pitch You or SONS the storm strikes
him. And there's a blizzard coming.
and that right soon"
AS ! said before" replied Miss AM
Der. "the day Is perfect-a tribe hay.
hut that Il caused by smoke. Firehy
Is as gentle as one couh wish. lie
suits me-"
"SOme people appear to have as little
knowledge about Weather and horses
as they have common sense" returned
JIM IN no genial tone.
swell. as the weather and horses and
cattle evidently comprise the extent OF
a cow puncher's knowledge one ought
not 70 be expected to excel them In
their limited sphere" answered the girl
taun:ngly as she abruptly le'; the
r6cm.
IT, air was deIlcI0Usiy fresh and
cie"r '.s"t ':'a slightest Indication OF
a storm. and lie 90 warm as nao could
wish" Isa:spl uurmuresl q h.rxelf as
she cant"ret hll;heiy along :'ie deeply
marked trail How contrary n man IA
IL he's thwartei In any little thing.
And Tom and his wife are Just rs
unreasonable. They think ought 10
consider myself In great luck to marry
n prosperous cattleman AMI settle
down as thpi- nearest ne'ghbor. Well.
must admit III hate 20 l"lve them
80 soon. How quickly 'Is.tap two
months hare passed.. | never though;
I would Ike Colorado 80 we'll" glanr.
Ing approvIagly around the unduIat.
Ing country. How near the noun.
talns seem: Yos. rs biz mud free and
inspiring but It's not for me- aud slIa
sighed unconsriOusly.
Absorbed with her medltatl0us. lisa.
bel failed 20 notice that a misty veil
was sudIpaly drawn before tile far
foothills She was rudeiy brought 20
a realization ~ her whereabouts as the
storm swoOpe,l down upon her maIIg
nanily. FIfrGy was aimlessiy picking
bis way up the yiae Of decidedly IN.
familiar looking Hill. Not q sign Of the
trail was 10 BE- seen. "And il was 30
plain a child could follow IT," his rider
reflected.
The earth became blankctel with
white. aud surrounding objects grew
DINNER. Il was q new w0rId-a threat.
enlng. confusing. shifting white world.
40 the top of the hin they met the
full fury Of tire FIRST blizzard u the
season.
"JUc was certainly right about the
weather" isabel admitted shIvprlngiy,
'bUt be wis entirely wrung about Fire.
~. Tie behaves admirably. II was
rot his fault that We are IpSt. lie
hasn't the slightest disposition 90
buck
The storm gave a whistling shrek.
suddenly there was a tumultu0us ~.
heaval Of something sOmewhere-a
brief. bTeathless sensation of dying