The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-04-07
BY ANNE HEILMAN

had sch00imates there who we're always
glad 10 see her. and possibly other In
teTests drew her IN that direction. Il was
the town Charlie Keith called home and
in which lie spent his brief vacations.
Here Marcia had met him often in tie
past two years 81 her happy school life.
and here she mad. seemingly, irrevoeably
offended him BY one of those sudden,
girlish freaks so lnexplicable % a lover.
She had neither seen nor heard from
him since Her father noted the cessation
OF certain frequent letters. and the sadness
on his dsrIings beautiful face, and ionged
10 comfort her. When she asked the next
morning Ii she might spend the rest 0f
the week with Efiie barrow. ia Prairle
city. he gladly gave consent.
The next two days would have tested
the resolution Of most nseH. and did sap
the strength Of many. az they stood 30
line under the blazing Nebraska sun, bis
tered with heat. parched with thirst.
gritty and blind with the powdered dust,
waiting their SLOW turn az the registration
booth. But Marcia was a determined gil,
and was accustomed TO hardahips. Sins
had galloped miles over the sun-swept
pralTies, she had slept more than once
with no roof above her head and no couch
beneath, and she knew what endurance
meant She had started on this mad
scheme in a mood Of strained excitement.
Her lovers continued silence, her hateful,
nonoton0usly barren existence had
wrought her feelings % a pitch where
almost any act was possible; nor did the
strain loosen until her registration was
accomplished al sunset OF the second day.
Il was five minutes to twelve on that
brassy. sand-sWept Saturday. and Marcia
.Irr
stood with many thousand others In that
mighty line Of battle, ready for the
charge.
Hark-a gun. the Tag at the military
barracks yOnder drops 10 the ground II
IS the signal
Instsntly~th is an answering yolley
from hundreds OF TevOlvefs discharged
into the air. Then. amid the roar, the
smoke and the yells from thousands Of
Threats, the line of battle starts forward
al a run.
Marcia is nearly paralyzed for an in
st8nt bat Bonnie Belle Is not She is of
like a bolt from a catapult pounding
through the dust straiuing at her bride.
leaving the lurching prairie schOOners ami
ungainly farm vehicles rapidly in the rear.
They soon outstrip the honest household
ers and are among the reckless cowboys
in the lead. These men greet her pres
ence with rough cries of gallantry which
make her heart beat thick and fast. II
she had only stayed In the safer crowd
behind, but Bonnie Belle is quite beyond
her control now. The mare has settled 10
her gait. and has no thought Of anything
bat first place IL this heat
Marcia turns her head uneasily for "A
glance over her shoulder. catches one
swift, hazy glimpse Of face that is IA
hears the sudden exclamatiOn-"M Marcia
The next instant the ether riders horse
is at her side. his hand is touching hers,
and for one blissfui minute she cannot see
for tears. as she murmurs, "Oh. Charlie.
am so gladi'
II is the only explanation necessary.
The glance, the tone of perfect trust, are
enough for the most eXacting heart, and
from that moment the hard ride is FOR
both but swift rush Tor Eden.
Side by side the two riders leave the
seventeen miles behind them, and their
good steeds, reeking with foam. but still
sound in wind. bring them 20 the govern
ment quarters which mark the center Of
Kiowa, just exactly sixty minutes after
the signal gun.
Charlie quickly stakes out two desirable
claims which viii soon be worth their
thousands. Marcia cares for the horses
as best she can. when Charlie stations her
beside him 10 hold their own against the
rush.
II is a wild. tumultEous moment, bat
they are close together. and his hand
clasps hers, while he bends closer
Marcia, dearest, you can give your
claim 10 the old folks Mine is for you.
ThereTl be a minister along pretty soon,
and nay tent is coming by the first pack
train Why should we wait? Let Us be
married, and begin right here-together.
VIII you. darling2
And clear. amid the wells the shooting,
the mad rush of Incoming settlers, half
crazed with thirst fatigue. and excite
ment, he plainly hears her honest ~ es.
Copyright, 1857. by {. Il. sutclias.)