The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1907-02-04

slowly ITS the first time I've ever
been on the plain. In fact, It's the
first time that I've ever been away
from the metropolis. for summer re-
sorts full Of city people don't count. do
they?''
"They do mott. said Keith decidedly.
For an instant their eyes met. and
Drusilla was conscious OF the strength
of man who seemed as isam.rable as
the plains themselves. fSe was ADORE
the average height. bronzed and ds-ep
.hested, and his gray eyes bad the d.
rect searching gaze OF those accus-
toned to looking at great distances. In
the days that followed it was Gordon
Keith who Elonopolized the greater
share of her time and thoughts, and it
was with him she talked and tranped
ana rode Oh. those rideswith the
horses feet thudding under her, her
face glowing with the e1hilaration and
her hair loosening and streaming out
like a bright pennant.
ITS wonderful, isn't lit" she said
breathisssiy. refining in, that she might
fastsn her rebsllious hairpins. Moth
ing between you and the sky, OF" with
a wave Of the whip, nothing between
you and the edge Of the world"
Keith turned to her.
.'Thsa you are beginning to feel the
call Of IT," he said quietly, "as hoped
you vouA. And now can say what
Eve been wanting to say ever since
first met you: win ysu marry ma. Dru-
silla!'
She aheok her head.
I'm sorry" she said softly, "oh, so
sorry! 1t would be yenal to tall you
how much your friendship has meant
to ms-yeu must have guessed that al
ready. But what you ask IL impos-
Mbls'
Then you do not-cars!
Carer Her voice waverod On the
| word. "Ah. yen don't know how near
I've come to loving you and how I've
| fought 1t down. for knew l couldn't
give up what's calling to mo from the.
city Tvs lsft-all ths eotiilons and din
GERS and tsas Of tins hfs l love. And
you once belonged to It too You've
confessed n much. Why" she made
littb bessschiny gesture, why did
you ever give 1t upY'
"Becsuss WAS sick Of being a pup
pet in evening clothes. because | was
tired to death OF the shsns and the
tinssl and the falsensss. and wanted
| to get out where could breathe deep
| and look up to the stars and feel that
was 4 man. DrusiIIa''-
"No. TO-" shs begged. Don't ask
me. for couldn't. Couldn't"
In silence they rode toward the
| shack. The long light Of the sunset
| glow was across the plains. Bright
clouds were piled in the west Against
the molten sky Of red and gold a cow
| boy rider loped in picturesque silhou-
| site.
"It's big and free and beautiful"
| Drusilla murmured to herself, "but it's
| not for me-
A week later she went east. and her
soIg left great gap in the lives of
| the three msn at FL Paso. Ned per
| haps missed her least OF all. for he was
1
| ~ mourned her departure.
| "Don't seem natural" he complained.
| mot to hear her step about the house
! or her songs In the evening"
| But Keith. who felt her going most
kept silent. carrying with him 4 long
| Ing that would not be satisfied.
| Drusilla had given her promise to
write. yet she was slow In fulfilling it.
Even Ned grumbled r. day after day
went By and no word came from her
save . telegram saying she had ar
| rived safely and a few picture postal
carcs covered with hssty scribbling
Rogers made excuses for going to the
mail oftener than was really necessary.
and bis persistency was at length re-
| warded, for one day he returned with
three letters in Drusilla's handwriting
His was full! Of amusing incidents,
Ned's of gossip and sisterly affection.
| but to Keith she wrote:
| You are right after all. l am smoth-
cred with conventionality and weary
Of riding my prescribed length In the
park. It's all such social circus. And
| 1t isn't the call of the plains that's
drawing me- It's the call of the heart
| Do you hate the metropolis too much
| to come here to marry me%
| WELL" observed Rogers standing
in the doorway few minutes later
and watching Keith galloping into the
distance For sheer hustling that
beats all Eve ever SEEN He sure de
serves to catch that train