Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1908-07-03

"Yet none of them really cares a rap
for me; and that is not the worst OF
it." he thought with unconscious pa
thos, there is no one for me
to care for. 1 want something, and
don't Know what it Is" and he sighed
deeply. Il suppose am tired out
and need to get away from this hot
place, but l can't think of anywhere
l care to go.r
1t was then that q strange thing
happened. AS Cowden gazed unhap-
PLY and with unseelng eyes through
the sunny window, suddenly vision
came to him through the mist of the
past. In a fash there qulckened from
the depths Of memory scene long for
gotten. SARAH" he heard himself
saying-"Sarah Townleyw A sweet
face smiled at him across the years !;
slender girl stood on vine-embower-
ed veranda and offered him a glass
of milk. He was hot and tired and
thirsty, and he longed to rest In the
shade with the girl, but a countryman
and an old horse waited on the road
below.
For Cowden the door OF his mind
had opened to let In q shaft Of light.
On the instant his heart was the heart
of boy. Life was worth living, after
all. He knew what he wanted!
When, day or so later, he found
himself on train and actually on the
way south, he was not conscious that
there was anything remarkable in his
action. 1t was his nature to go
straight after what he desired, taking
the shortest cut, and now he knew he
wished to WOO and win Sarah Town
ley as soon as possible. Perhaps she
was already married, though the
cranky old father might deter a good
many men. 1t did not make any diff
ference to him about the old man. He
would be glad to make his last days
comfortable. This would please Sarah,
and his heart warmed at the thought.
There was a chance, too, that the
old man had died, and that she had
been forced to seek the protection Of
that unworthy kin of whom Jake had
spoken, and might be living with them
on sufferance. His blood boiled at the
thought.
Then there was the chance, though
he found her still living in the old
place and still unmarried, that she
would have none of him. This really
troubled MIN more than anything.
Heaven knew there was nothing about
him to attract lovely young woman.
Yes, he fully realized that the
chances were against him. Only were
she to remember him after all these
years, would he feel encouraged. Ten
years 1t was and she had seen him
but for moment. True, he remem-
bered her. but that was different.
Arriving at the little town, he or
dered a horse, and started out at
once over the old country road. His
was very sober face as he rode
thoughtfully along. II she only re-
membered him!
The sui was still shining, but the
cool of evening had fallen on the land
when Cowden reached the lane and,
dismounting. tied his horse to a tree.
He went slowly up the hill, but his
heart beat just as fast az 1t had long
ago when he had to run. All his
thoughts seemed to frame themselves
in the one phrase-"If she remem-
bers" He had planned to knock at
the door, and to ask for the major on
some pretext Of business. He had not
thought 1t possible to find the girl
where he had left her, but az he
emerged from the lane he saw her at
once.
She was sitting on the steps, gazing
thoughtfully over the fields. Her sew
ing had dropped from her fingers and
lay on her lap where her hands rest
ed idly upon 1t. To Cowden she SEEM
co unchanged, but a woman's keener
eyes would have seen a difference
the hair was not so bright as of old;
the cheeks less rosy a pathetic droop
to the corners Of the mouth; tired
look in the blue eyes, once so merry
and bright. But 1t was she, the wo-
man he wanted, there III the flesh, lust
as sweet and dear as ever! If she only
remembered!
AS he came nearer she turned and
saw him, and rose to her feet with
the politely inqulring glance of one
who greets a stranger at the door.
Hat in hand, he paused and tried to
speak. But for once In his life, words
failed him. He stood looking at her
intently and beseechingly, SO that she
was stirred by a faint wonder, and
answering his look with the frank and
kindly glance Of old, her eyes slowly
widened, and she drew a deep breath.
Thus they stood for a moment, and
then she smiled.
WELL" she said softly; well. will
you have milk-or waterT
Cowden dropped to the step and his
heart sang a song of thanksgiving.
"Both!" he said, with an answering
smile-"bOth-and l am not In a bit
of a hurry" -Nes-r : rk Weekly.