The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-21
ISABEL'S MISSION.
By Anne HelIman.

Copyrighted, 1907, by E. c. Parcells.
 It's no use talking to me-" Isabel exclaimed. My mind Is fully made up." Jim rose and, limping slowly over to where the girl sat, stood looking down upon her intently. She shifted uncom- fortably under his gaze and finally slipped from her chair and fled igno- miniouslyl to the farthest window, where. she felt sure, Jim, suffering from his swollen ankle. would not fol- low her.
 And besides" she continued Ioftily as he subsided into the chair she had vacated. besides. I have no intention of ever marrying. I feel that I have a mission that is altogether too im- portant-"
 "Huhw
 ''Oh. of course you are shocked! Scandalized in fact Tom and Sally were both seemingly outraged when I told them what had decided on. Every one seems to think it's plainly a girls mission in life to marry the first man who condescends to ask her; but I have entirely different ideas on the subject-and really feel that it Is my mission to go and help teach those poor ignorant Chinese--"
 ''To lie and cheat alice samee Meli- can man. instead of guileleses heath en-"
 Jim Brinson had never before pro- hurt
 Where are you going? he asked presently, as Miss Amber in naughty silence commenced to pin on her hat
 ITO the postoffice," Jelly. "the letter announcing my appointment has cer- tainly arrived by this time."
 You surely ain't going to attempt s1 d. AO day?"
 T surely am."
 But look at the weather! Cant you see there's a storm coming"
 No, I cannot" answered Isabel don ming a light jacket. "The day Is beau tiful."
 Wait until tomorrow and one of the boys can go. And besides Tom has taken your pony out on the range. There ain't horse left that you can ride"
 T intend to ride Firefy." said Miss Amber shortly.
 Don't attempt to ride that cayuse," warned Joe. He needs firm hand or he's liable to take the bit in his teeth any old time and go lopin' off after any stray horse he'd spy grazing on the range. He aint got lick of sense and would be sure to balk and pitch you OH soon s the StorIH StrlkeS nm. And there's a blizzard coming, and that right soon."
 As said before," replied Miss Am Der, the day Is perfect-a trihe hazy, but that Is caused by smoke. Firehy is as gentle as one could wish-he suits me"
 Some people appear to have as lit- tie knowledge about weather and horses as they have common sense," returned Jim in no genial tone.
 Well, as the weather and horses and cattle evidently comprise the ex- tent of a cowpuncher's knowledge, one onght not to expect to excel them in their limited sphere" answered the girl tauntingly as she abruptly left the room.
 The air was dellciously fresh and clear. Not the slightest indication of storm, and it's warm as one could wish" Isabel murmured to herself as she cantered blithely along the deep ly marked trail. How contrary a man Is if he's thwarted in any little thing. And Tom and his wife are just as un- reasonable. They think I ought to consider myself in great luck to mar ry a prosperous cattleman and settle down as their nearest neighbor. Well. I must admit I'll hate to leave them so soon. How quickly those two Honlhs udFe pass0u' hSNoi lhouShI I would like Colorado so we'll" glanc- ing approvingly around the undulat- ing country. How near the mountains seem. Yes, it's big and free and in- spring. but it's not for me-" and she sighed unconsciously.
 Absorbed with her. meditations. Isa- bel failed to notice that a misty veil was suddenly drawn before the foot hills. She was rudely brought to a realization of her whereabouts as the storm swooped down upon her malig nantly. Firehy was aimlessly picking his way up the side o ia decidedly un- familiar looking hill. Not sign of the trail was to be seen.." And it was so plain a child could follow it," his rider dolefully reflected.
 The earth became blanketed with white, and surrounding objects grew dinner. It was a new world-a threat