The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1907-12-05
CHAPTER NI.
Becoming Acquainted.


Becoming Acquainted.
Once within the cool shadows OF the
living-room. Mrs. Herndon again be-
thought herself 10 kiss her niece in a
fresh glow Of welcome, while the lat
ter sank into a convenient rocker and
began enthusiastically expressing her
unbounded enjoyment OF the west. and
Of the impressions gathered during
her journey. Suddenly the elder wom.
an glanced about and exclaimed,
laughingly, why. I had completely
forgotten. You have not yet met you
roommate. Come out here, Nadia;
this Is my niece. Phoebe Spencer"
The girl thus addressed advanced,
a slender. graceful figure dressed IN
white, and extended her hand shyly.
Miss Spencer clasped it warmly. her
eyes upon the flushed, winsome face.
And Is this Nadia Gillisl" she
cried. 4 am so delighted that you
are still here. and that we are to be
together. Aunt Lydia has written so
much about you that I feel as II we
must have known each other for
years. Why. how pretty you are!-
Naida's cheeks we're burning, and
her eyes fell. but. she had never yet
succeeded in conquering the blunt in
dependence Of her speech. Nobody
else ever says So she said. uneasily.
Perhaps It's the light"
Miss Spencer turned her about so
as to face the window. "WeT. you
are" she announced. decisively, Il
guess I know; you've got magnificent
hair. and your eyes are perfectly won
derful. You just don't fix yourself up
right; Aunt Lydia never did have any
taste in such things, but III make a
new girl ont Of you. Let's go upstairs;
I'm simply dying to see our room. and
get some Of my dresses unpacked.
They must look perfect rights by this
time"
They came down perhaps an hour
later. hand In hand. and chattering
Ike old friends. The shades Of early
evening we're already falling across
the valley. Herndon had returned
home from his days work. and had
brought with him Rev. Howard Wyn-
kOop for supper. Miss Spencer viewed
the young man with approval, and i'm
mediately became more than usually
yiyacious IA recountng the incidents
OF her long journey, together with her
early impressions Of the western o
try. Mr.. Wynkoop responded with an
interest far from being assumed.
Il have found it all so strange. so
unique. Mr.. Wynkoop." she explained.
The country is like a new world to
me. and the people do not seem az an
like those OF the east. They lead such
a wild. untrammeled life. Everything
about seems 70 exhale the spirit Of ro-
nance: don't you find a so?'
He smiled at her enthusiasm, his
glance OF u~ndisguised admiration on
her face. Il certainly recall some such
earlier conception. he admitted.
Those just arriving from the environ
ment OF an older civilization perceive
merely the picturesque elements: but
my later experiences have been de-
cidedly prosaic.
why Mr.. Wynkoopl how could
they be? Your work is heroic. Il Is
perfectly grand! Why. the very men
/ met seem TO yield me a broader con
ception Of life and duty; they are so
brave. so modest, so active. fs-is
Mr.. Moaat a member OF your church2 90
Tho minister cleared his throat his
cheeks %Feddeniug afr Nonatg An.
no; not exactly Do you mean the
mine-owner. Jack Monat2'
YES, / think so; he tJld me he
owned a miDc-the Golden Rule the
namc was; the very choice Ia words
would seem 10 indicate his religious
nature. You have the only church In
Glencaid. / understand. and / wonder
greatly he has never joined YOU But
perhaps he may be prejudiced against
your denomination. There Is so much
narrowness IN religion. But I left
every prejudice east OF the Missouri.
she declared. laughingly. every one,
social and religious, I'm going TO be
a true westerner, from the top of my
head 70 the toe Of my shoe. Is Mr..
Mcneil ia your church,"
The minister hesitated Il really do
not recall the name" he confessed az
last. reluctantly. Il scarcely think /
can have ever met the gentleman
ITO BE CONTTNUEDD