The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-02
CHAPTER u.
ION the Trail"

His thin, scholarly face looked drawn |
and worn in the midday glare. A
tiredness in the eyes told graphically |
of sleepless night.
I'm glad to see you. Langford," he
said. 1T was good of you to come,
Leave your horse for Mary. She'll
give her water when she's cooled of
a bit"
You sent for me. Williston?" asked
the young man. rubbing his face affec-
tionately against the wet neck OF his
mare.
Il did 1t was good of you to come
to soon."
Fortunately your messenger found
me at home. AS for the rest SADIE.
here, hasn't her beat In the COW
country, II she. is only COW pony, ELI.
Sadie?'
At that moment Mary Williston
came into the open doorway OF the
rude claim shanty set down In the
very heart of the sun,seared plain
which stretched away into heart-chok.
ing distances from every possible
point of the compass. And sweet
she was to look upon. though tanned
and glowing from close association
with the ardent sun and riotous wind.
Her auburn hair, more reddish on the
endges from sunburn. was fine and
soft and there was much OF IL. II
seemed newly brushed and suspicious.
ly glossy. One sees far on the plains,
and two years out OF civilization are
not enough to make a girl forget the
use of a mirror, even II II be but a
broken silver, propped up on pine
board dressing table. She looked
strangely grown-up despite her short,
rough skirt and badly scuffed leather
riding leggings. Langford stared at
her with startled look OF mingled
admiration and astonishment. She
came forward and put her hand on
barrassed In the least. But the color
came into the strangers face. He
swept his wide hat from his head
| quickly.
mo indeed, Miss wiliiston: I'll
water SADIE myself"
please let me. I'D love to-"
She's used to Il, Langford." said
Williston In his quiet. gentlemanly
voice, the well-bred cadence of which
spoke OF training far removed from
the harassments and harshnesses OF
life in this plains country You see
she is the only boy have. She must
OF necessity be my chore boy az well
1 Lxxs v,. h..r lsata mn
ments she holds down her kitchen
claim: ! don't know how she does II
hut she does. You had better let hel
do It: she will hold Il against you 4
you don't"
But couldn't have a woman do
ing my grooming for me. Why, thu
very idea'"
He sprang into the saddle.
But you waited for me TO do II.
said the girl, looking up al him Gu
riously.
did I? | didn't mean 10. Yes.
did. too. But | beg your pardon. Yo'
see--say. look here: are you the 1ittl'
girl who left word for me this morn
ing7"
Yes. Why not?"
We'll. you see." smiling. but apollo
getic, ''one OF the boys said that Wi
liston's little girl had ridden over an
said her father wanted to see me n
soon as I could come. So. you see.
thought"
Dad always calls me that. 30 mos
~ the people around here do. too.
Is very silly"
Il don't think SO Mt all. ! onl
wonder why have not known abou
you before" with a frank smile. Il
must be because I've been away 8
much OF the time lately. Why didn
you wait for mel" he asked suddeni,
Ten miles IL a sort Of q lonesom
run--for a girl"
, Il did walt q while" said Mar
honestly. but you didn't seem In ar
, hurry. expect you didn's care 10
: bored that long way with the all
J chatter OF a little girl
Well said Langford. ruefully. III
afraid did feel little relieved wbe
4 | found you had not waited. ! ney'
will again. l do beg your pardon
called, iAughingiy, over hts should'
az he galloped away 10 the spring.
when he returned there was no ca
to receive him but wuliston. r
: gether they entered the house. II vi
a xmall room into which Langfore vi
|. ushered. II was also very plain.
! was more than that. u vas shsbh
. An easy chair or two that has ~
1 viyed the wreckaEe Of the house
!. Williston had been shipped to ~
:. land OF promise" together with
0 few other articles such zs we're alb.
3 IHteiy indispensable. The table ~
big shipping bon. though Langfo
did not notice that. for II WAS neat
!. covered with q moth-eafsn plum @
ored felt cloth A rug. crocheted O
Of parti-coiored ragS. . relic Of Mar
Conservative and thrifty grsBdmo;h'
served ~ a carpet for the living roc
A peep through the open door into {
: next and only other room disclos
glinpses Of mating On TIE 40
There vas . holy place even In a
eas;Awsy house on the prairie. As {
= young mans careless eyes took
this nsW Eignincsnce. the door clos
SOFTLY The little girl had al
f.