La Junta tribune., 1907-04-06

II GUESS THAT WAS ONLY a DREAM TOO
smoke. all that could be seen of the
afternoon express on Its downward
journey through Great Darlington to
the city
"why are you so lugubriousi" she
veuturcd
do you really want to know why
am cynical today? Perhaps ! would
better tell you-in fact. l brought you
here to explain and to ask your ad.
vice"
why. what has gone wrong. jim
my" At once her voice and manner
were warm with sympathetic interest.
Il just heard from dad this morning.
and nice sort OF letter 1t was. He
wants me to start for San Francisco
tomorrow. You see. his western bust
ness IL badly snarled, and he has tick
eted me through to unravel the knots.
II go 1t may mean big feather In
my cap, while IL stay He shrug-
sed his shoulders.
You would have to leave ON the
morning train:" demanded valeria.
That's about the size OF II"
"And miss all Of the good times we
had planned for this week.
Jimmy nodded.
Then don't 60. oh. what have
been saying? Yes, go-of course you'll
Co." she insisted. what right have
to keep you from success? And. when
you are miles away. remember that
did not try to turn you from your
duty"
She shivered us the shadow crept
over the mountain top.
Lazily Jimmy rubbed bis eyes.
Come TO think of 1t. guess that was
only dream too" he metlitated aloud.
Jimmy Castleton, do you mean to
tell me that-that''- She could get no
further
Confession is good for the heart.
but you must remember that you II
was who taught me the trick of bor-
rowing from between the covers It's
the first real benefit I've ever derived
from magazine stories shall take
more interest In future. watched you
narrowly-that's what the hero does.
isn't it?-and saw my heroine turn
pale. as sure as fate.'
Il didn't! Besides. it's only the vii
lain that watches narrowly. / wouldn't
be such a copy cat" she concluded,
with whitening scorn.
.'You did turn white. though" he
persisted. In no way abashed. And
then he went on to add. using her very
words with deliberate aggravation:
, Now l know that you really do care
for me. silly girl. didn't think that
you. Of all persons. valeria, would tum-
BILE into your own net 10 easily"
ut was just horrid Of you to take
such a mean. spiteful revenge on me-"
she cried. her gray eyes flashing storm
signals that awakened Jimmy, to sud
den misgivIngs. -.
''Oh, come now. let's call it quits" he
urged. 'I'il forget the whole after
noon. II you say so."
She turned away In silence.
With . childish gesture Of disgust he
hurled the innocent but offending mag
asines over the cll6.
Still she would not speak.
"Just my luck to make almost q
home run and then be put out Of the
game for talking too much. The devil
must have been preaching to me from
yonder pulpit" he said resentfuily.
Then, Strengthening up with fresh reso-
tuition. he added: II win 30 to San
francisco now. II that win do any
good. Will that do any good. won't
you tell me. valf'
He was 20 wistfully In earnest that
yaleria dimpled into smiles.
Even there you would know that
that Lyon ought to be aalla med Gf
yourself for soaring me into giving
myself away before you had learned
TO ask me In the proper spirit" she
1nisssti lapnejy bpts this time her grpy
syss were kindIed With i liEht tH4t por-
tended NO storm.
And then-and then But, as Jimmy
has contcnded. the real love Of every
day people isn't interesting enough to
spread over paper. like 70 much honey
eDou broad.