The Ordway new era., 1908-01-31
CHAPTER u.
"On the Trail"

"on the Trail"
s,Hs,op himself came to the door.
Thin. scholarly face looked drawn
worn in the midday glare. A
ness in the eyes told graphically
sleepless night.
m glad to see you. Langford." he
1T was good OF you to come.
e your horse for Mary. She'll
her water when she's cooled OF
l."
Fou sent for me. Williston?" asked
young man. rubbing his face afYec-
ately against the wet neck OF his
did 1t was good OF you to come
oon'
fortunately your messenger found
a, home. As for the rest. Sade.
hasn't her beat In the COW
b,ry. II she is only COW pony. eh.
ie?'
that moment Mary Williston
he into the open doorway OF the
claim shanty set down In the
heart of the sun-seared plain
ch stretched away into heart-chok-
distances from every possible
BIT of the compass. And sweet
was to look upon. though tanned
glowing from close association
b the ardent sun and riotous wind.
auburn hair. more reddish on the
ges from sunburn. was fine and
and there was much OF II. II
med newly brushed and suspicious
glossy. One sees far on the plains,
two years out OF civilization are
enough TO make u girl forget the
OF a mirror. even II II be but
ken silver, propped up on a pine.
rd dressing table. She looked
nngely grown-up despite her short.
gh skirt and badly scuffed leather
Ing leggings. Langford stared at
with startled look OF mingled
nira,ion and establishment. She
pc forward and put her hand on
mares bride. She was not EN-
rassed in the least. But the color
pc into the strangers face. He
pt his wide hat from his head
fkly.
No indeed. Miss williston; I'll
ler SADIE myself"
Please let me. I'd love to-
shes used to II, Langford." said
liiston in his quiet. gentlemanly
&c, the well-bred cadence OF which
PIKE Of training far removed from
harassments and harshnesses OF
IN this plains country. You see.
Is the only boy have. She must
necessity be my chore boy as well
my herd boy. In her leisure mo-
nus she holds down her kitchen
I'm; don't know how she does 1t.
she does. You had better let her
IL; she will hold It against you II
u don't"
but ] couldn't have a woman do.
my grooming for me. Why, the
fry ideal"
he sprang into the saddle.
but you waited for me to do It,"
|ously.
Dld l? l didn't mean to. Yes, I
T. loo. But l beg your pardon. You
say look here; are you the little
~ VINO left word for me this morn.
Yes. Why not?"
.,,o wen. you see." smiling. but apollo.
s. s.e, one Of the boys said that VII.
s.s, ,,s little girl had ridden over and
,0 ,.u her father wanted to see me as
,om.a m az l could come. So. you see. 1
Dad always calls me that. so most
.ne people around here do. too. 1t
very silly"
~. think 80 at all. I only
W. u"1ei thy have not known about
n.. 's'ore,' with frank smile. ut
noh @ M oe because I've been away SO
n a'a a VI the time lately. Why didn't
n, wal. ior me?" he asked suddenly.
NJ ies Is sort of a lonesome
. a girl"
,no..,. u,a walt while," said Mary,
,rrv out you didn't seem in any
,rea expect you didn't care to be
,a,,. mat long way with the silly
'asser .,,, OF little girl"
r.'s "e,, said Laneford, ruefully, .I'm
io"a u did sl q little relieved when
N avs,yY yoY ad not waited. I never
lied 10 beg your pardon" he
he sly, over his shoulder
wh.3 away to the spring. i
q lrned there was NO one
AN ~ but Williston. To-
ered the house, Il was