Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1907-12-05
THE BUILDERS =
.
By Willis Go. EmrSon,
CONTINUED from last week.
CHAPTER XVIII.
FRED RETURNS TO wATERvILLE.

vile, 1t was a beautiful October
morning. morning made for hap
piness-both invigorating and crisp
with a touch of hilarious brisllness
in air and sky. There had been a
slight frost the night before, but
it rapidly disappeared before the
genial warmth of the sun, while
the russell leaves, stirred by the au-
tumn winds, sang brokenly the
coming of old age,
October is the scenic month of
the mountains, and when amid
them, you are in Natures picture
gallery. The sumac leaves are as
changeable in color as a blushing
maiden or a chameleon, and from
the low green foothills to the tim
ber-line fsombre gray far up the
mountains, the pines and spruce,
the Gins and boxelders, the poplars
and oaks grow in abandoned pro-
fusion. The leaves, like Joseph $
coat, vary in colors from deepest
green to brightest scarlet, from
golden yellow to soft, dull brown.
This medley of color intermingled
in the gorgeous panoramic scene,
lends charm and beauty that
would battle the skill of the most
talented artist to produce on can
vas.
Fred was seated by the side of
Gideon Gibbons on top of the stage
coach as they whirled along. In
his face was a look of unspoiled
faith in God and woman. He was
thinking of the evening when Ruth
first sang to him. It was music
fit for the Gods-so rich, so deep,
so plaintively low, so inspiring
He could even see her how stand
ing on the wide old porch of the
billiard home as she waved to
him at parting. The mild October
breeze had stirred the ringlets of
her golden hair, ahd they in some
way seemed laden with promise for
him, for he interpreted her every
word and smile as reciprocal of his
own earnest admiration.
One evening she had said, when,
perhaps, he had shown all too
plainly the great admiration that
was growing in his heart, "He that
goes slowly goes safely and he that
goes safely, goes far" She was
smiling while talking, ahd looked
archly at him as if ,uttering pro-
phecy. =
Fred was thipging of this when
he was suddenly brought out of his
day dreams TO present affairs by
Gideon Gibbons remarking:
"Things amt so powerful brisk
down at Waterville jest now"
tbHow. is that ?" asked Fred.
'"Oh, I don't know, replied Glib
bons, as he started his leaders with
a ringing crack of his whip. < Can't
say jest what is the matter, i m
mighty glad l am not n the real
estate business. In my opinion
them real estate agents down thar
will be jumpin' sideways for
sandwich before the winters over.
Already they're beginning to look
lank, like a lot Of South Sea Island
ers clamoring for feast of baked
missionary"
Fred was decidedly depressed
about his town lot investments, and
Gibbons remarks merely strength
ened, in a way, his fears. He was
going to Waterville for the express
purpose of disposing Of his friends
property, in which they had invest
ed upon his recommendation. He
cared very little about his own
money which had been put in town
lots, for he was willing to wait or
lose all, if his friends, who had
trusted so implicitly in his judg-
ment, could be prevented from
sustaining loss.
Once a man said to woman who
had bitterly and heartlessly de-
ceiyed him, and when they were
about to part forever; 81 do not
care for the love I once gave you,
because was deceived into loving
that which never existed save in
my own imagination, and with the
awakening it died. With the dying
of the myth love came back in my
own heart, but / am truly sorry