Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-02-14

we're already enough Of a plainswoman
to estimate the time by its elevation.
1T is about $780," said Hughes. with
tie old timers accuracy.
Then 1t is time for my lunch. and
I'm as hungry as that wretched coyots
l shot at. 1t is Thanksgiving day. Mr.
Hughes. have beef sandwiches
olives. cheese, crackers and some fia
wafers In my saddlebags. With New
England hospitality l ask you to hslp
me eat them"
while 1t is not the custom of ma csA
tiemen to take lunch at noon," he 70.
turned, looking into the bright eyes Of
the little woman before him, II am
glad to break the custom on this occa.
sion by accepting your invitation"
Under live oak they spread the pa.
per napkins which Ivy had brought
and arranged the lunch upon them.
hughes soon caught the happy spirit
OF his companion, and, throwing his
mask OF conscious restraint aside, he
talked and laughed with her with the
pleasure of boy.
The spring must furnish us tea"
she said. handing Hughes her pretty
silver folding cup. He quickly filed It
from the spring near by. Then he
passed the cup to her. Il did not think
of having company" she said apollo
Getically, touching the rim daintily
with her pretty lips. 81 wish / had an
other"
I'm GLAD you haven't" protested
Hughes heartily. Il like this one best"
taking the cup from her hands and
drinking.
For minute Ivy made no reply.
Then she looked at the man sitting op-
posite her as if in doubt of his mean
Ing. The next instant she smiled frank
ly and said.
well, think / do too"
The half serious simplicity OF her
speech amused Hughes, and, throwing
back his head, he laughed in real en-
joyment.
I'm sure we'll get on all right he
said, still laughing.
Hughes declared there never was
such lunch. The greatest Thanks
giving feast in the land was nothing
compared with this. The cold, pure
water which they slipped in such good
comradeship from the one cup he was
sure outrivaled the nectar Of all the
gods.
All too soon 1t was finished, and they
sat back under the live oak silent, but
happy. Suddenly Ivy realized 1t was
midafternoon and she had twelve miles
to ride back to the ranch. Tomorrow
there would be school and the old rou-
tine Of duties. Today held sunshine,
laughter, Joy; the next would be filed
with the daily grind and hard tasks.
Watching her from under the wide
rim of his hat, Warde Hughes saw the
weary expression begin to settle over
Ivy Norris face, and he understood.
Left an orphan after finishing school,
his loneliness had driven him west.
Here temperate habits and sterling
woman, loving the freedom of his
hills as he loved 1t, had entered his
life. Suddenly he beheld a vision-a
vision Of liberty for both. Immediate
ly he felt an intuition that the lonel-
ness Of both was at an end. The new
life Of sunshine, the sunshine of a
wonderful love. was glowing for them.
He yearned TO tell her, to lift the shad-
ows from the patient face, but the
moment OF realization was too bllssful
for speech.
Come" he said at last springing
up to meet the new life and claim 1t
for them, Gently he took her hand
and lifted her to her feet. Then, look
ing into her beautiful eyes, he said
eagerly, Little woman, | want you to
let me make every day Of your life
Thanksgiving like today"
A soft flush stole into her face, but
she did not leave the strong arms
which hold har