Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-07-31
CHAPTER XII.
Becoming Acquainted.


thought herself to kiss her niece in a
fresh glow of welcome. while the lat
ter sank into 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 your
roommate. Come out here, Nadia;
this is my niece, Phoebe Spencer"
The girl thus addressed advanced,
b 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 Gillis!" she
cried II am SO delighted that you
are still here and that we are to be
together Aunt Lydia has written SO
much about you that feel as if we
must have known each other for
years Why. how pretty you are!"
Naida's cheeks were burning, and
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
e. to face the window. well, you
are" she announced, decisively. 4
guess l know; you've got magnificent
hair, and your eyes are perfectly won
derful. You j''st don't fix yourself up
right; Aunt Lydia never did have any
taste in such things, but I'll make a
new girl out 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 frights by this
time"
They came down perhaps an hour
later, hand in hand, and chattering
like old friends. The shades of early
evening were 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
vivacious in recounting the incidents
of her long journey, together with her
early Impressions of the western coun-
try Mr.. Wynkoop responded with an
interest far from being assumed, 81
II have found it all SO strange, so
unique, M. Wynkoop," she explained.
1.-The country is like new world to
me, and the people do not seem at all
like those of the east They lead such
a wild, untrammeled life. Everything
about seems to exhale the spirit of ro-
nance; don't you find 1t so?"
He smiled at her enthusiasm, his
glance Of undisguised 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.. Wynkoop! how could
they be? Your work is heroic. 1t is
perfectly grand! Why, the very men
l met seem to yield me broader con-
ception of life and duty; they are so
brave, so modest, so active Isis
Mr.. Moffat member of your church ?"
The minister cleared his throat, his
cheeks reddening. Mr.. Moffat? All,
no; not exactly Do you mean the
mine-owner, Jack Motfat?"
Eyes, think SO; he told me he
owned mine-the Golden Rule the
name vas; the very choice in words
would seem to indicate his religious
nature. You have the only church In
Glepcaid, understand. and l wonder
greatly he has never joined you. But
perhaps he may be prejudtced against
your denomination. There is SO much
narrowness in religion. But l left
every prejudice east of the Missouri"
she declared, laughingly, every one,
social and religious. I'm going to be
true westerner, from the top of my
head to the toe Of my shoe. Is Mr..
Mcneil in your church,"
The minister hesitated. II really do
not recall the name" he confessed at
last, reluctantly. 81 scarcely think
can have ever met the gentleman"
"Oh, you ought to; he is so intense
ly original, and his face is full of char
acter He reminds me of some old
paladin of the Middle Ages. You would
be interested in him at once. He is
the foreman of the Bar " ranch,
somewhere near here"
do you mean Billy Mcneil over on
Sinsiniwa creek?" broke In Herndon.
Il think quite likely, uncle; wouldn't
he make splendid addition to Mr..
Wynkoop's church,"
Herndon choked, his entire body
shaking with Unsurpassed enjoy
ment 81 should imagine yes" he ad-
mitted finally. BILLY McNeil-oh,
Lord! There's certainly fine open
ing for you to do some missionary
work, Phoebe"
We'll, and I'm going to-" announced
the young lady, firmly. Il guess can
read mems characters, and l know all
Mr.. Mcneil needs is to have some
one show an interest in him. Have
you large church, Mr.. Wynkoop%
Not large If judged from an east
ern standpoint" he confessed. with
some regret Our present member
ship rs composed of eight women and
three men. but the congregational at
tendance is quite good, and constantly