The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-11-10
CONTINUED From Yesterday

f1ancee. After a honeymoon OF hve weeks Fay
son and his bride return to the ranch.
CONTINUED From Yesterday
The two men walked slowly out OF
the room to the corral.
AS Echo galloped across the prairie
in the glorious morning air, the sun
shine, the lowing of the cattle on the
hills, and the songs of the birds In the
along the Sweetwater had ban
ished all depressing thoughts. and her
mind dwelt on her love for Jack and
the pleasantness of the lines in which
her life had fallen.
Only one small cloud had appearet
on the horizon. Jack had not shara1
with her his condolences in the business
of the ranch. He told her he did not
want to worry her with such cares.
True, there were times when he was
deeply distracted; but in her presence
his moroseness vanished quickly. Care
fully as he had tried to hide his secret,
she had, with a woman's intuition, seen
beneath the surface of things and
realized that something was lacking
to complete her happiness.
AS Echo turned toward home a song
sprang to her lips. Polly spied her far
down the trail.
Boys, she's coming" she shouted 20
the men, who were at the bunk mouse
awaiting Mrs. Payson's return. -
they passed the corral they called to
Jack and Alien to join them in the liv-
ing-room to prepare for tn surprise
for Echo.
The party quickly reassemhled.
sGood land!" shouted Allen. get
something to cover the pia1ny with"
The punchers rushed In confusion
about the room In a vain search.
Amt there a plagued thing we can
cover that PLAINLY WITH cried the de-
moralized Allen, renewing his appeal.
Polly came to the rescue of tn" help
less men by pluching 4 Navajo blanket
from the couch. Tossing one end of it
to SHOW Low, she motioned to him to
help hold it up before the instrument
Ike q curtain.
stand In front OF it, everybody
ordered Mrs. Allen. wac had left her
cake-baking and hurried ~ from, the
kitchen. polly, sprsfd your skirts
you, too, Jim"
Allen ran in front of the piano, hold
ing "ut an imaginary dress in imitation
of Polly. (which l amt got none, he
cried
P~arenthesis jumped in front of the
piano stool, trying vainly u hide 1t
with his legs.
"Parenthesis, put your legs together"
Mrs. Allen cried.
81 can't, ma'am." walled the unfor-
tunate p%uncher. He fell on his knees
before the stool, spreading out his
waistcoat for a screen. Mrs. Allen
helped him out with her skirts.
STEADY, everybody" shouted Jack.
Here she isl" yelled Sagebrush, as
the door opened and the astonished
Echo faced those she loved and liked.
Echo made a pretty picture framed
in the doorway. She wore her riding
habit of olive-green-from the hem of
which peeped her soft boots. Her hat.
broad, picturesque, typical of the
Southwest, had slipped backward.
forming a background for her pretty
face. An amused smile played about
the corners of her month.
"WeIl, what is it?" she smiled in
quiringly.
The group looked at her sheepishly.
No one ventured to answer her ques-
ton.
whats the natter" she resumed.
you're herded up like a bunch or
cows in a norther."
Sagebrush began gravely to explain.
He got only as far as: This we're bein'
n birthday" when Echo interrupted
him: "Oh! then it's a birthday party?"
Once stopped. Sagebrush could not
get started again. He cleared his
throat with more emphasis than polite
ness; striking the attitude of an orator,
with one hand appraised and the other
on his hip. he hemmed and hawed until
beads of p~erspiration trickled from his
temples.
Again he nerved himself for the or
deal
"Mebbe," he gasped.
Then he opened and closed his mouth,
froglike, several times, taking long,
gulping breaths. At last, looking help
lessly about him, he shouted: ooh,
shucks. you tell her, Jack" He pushed
him toward Echo. Jack rested his
hand on the table and began: We've
a surprise for you--that is, the boys
have
what is it," asked Echo eagerly.
you've got TO call 1t blind broke in
Sagebrush.
Guess it," cried Fresno.
"a pony-cart." hazarded Echo.
"Shucks! no." said Show Low at the
idea of presenting Echo with anything
wheels.
Echo then guessed. Sewing ma
S~agebrush encouraged her. That's
something like it-go on-go on"