Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-08
8he Hrgus Daily Short Story
The Taking of Lorena.-By Anne Heilman.
Copyrighted 1908. by Associated Literary Press:

Although it was the secopd week in
May. there were sudden and chill
whiffs of wind from the north, accom-
panied by flying particles of ice anc
snow, grim warning that winter hal
mot yet renowned its sway in the
northland.
Floyd Jordan. striding down the steel
mountain trial. halted irresolutely near
the abrupt turning at Farrell's bluff
He appeared to be meditatirg deeply
Suddenly he threw up his head, squared
his shoulders and hurried on, not liz
the direction of the boarding house il
the gulch, but toward Farrells cabin.
Farrelfs cabin consisted of two log
houses joined together and chinked
with mud. There were other cabins of
the same simple architecture scattered
over the mountain side and nestled IN
the gulches, but white curtains hung
at the Farrell windows. and the wind
ward side of the living room was hung
with gay Navajo blankets.
The brown fur of mountain bear
was on the floor. and its mate was
spread luxuriously beneath the red pill
lows of a couch. And. set like Il torch
in the south window, a geranium
potted in brilliant Indian basket
lifted its scarlet bloom
But Jordan felt without seeing thi,
harmony. He was looking into the
face of the girl who had opened the
door. 1t was a face of light and shad,
which spoke the swift thought before
the voice found words, face to hoIj
mans glance in crowd Closine
the door, she resumed her seat by the
fire without replying to Jordans genia
greeting.
He seemed to fill the room Six fec
two and broad shouldered. he looked
even larger in the clumsy canvas coat
corduroys and high laced boots of th'
iprospector He whipped his ha
against his knee, evidently discon
| certed by the girls hostile attitude
"That you, Floyd Jordan?" inquired
ia voice from the inner room.
| Eyes, Mrs. Farrell. How're you feel
ing?"
| "Some better. I'm glad to say. Sc
down and warm yourself, Floyd
lfTain't to be wondered at that peopl
have rheumatism in a land where
| there is ten months winter If you'll
shut the door. Loreny, I'll get up ant
dress"
II Lorena closed the door.
| "Floyd Jordan. what are you cominj
here again for?" she burst out sud
denly.
"Woudn't be very neighborly not t,
drop in with your mother sick an,
your dad away, would IT."
Didn't tell you that never woul,
Ispeak to You again and that / neve
Iwanted to see youT she said fiercely
talking !: few steps toward him. Eve,
in that critical moment, with her eye
blazing unjust and unreasonable anger
the miners heart throbbed acknow
edgment Of the tall, plant. reedlik
grace before him.
"Yes. Lorena, but have Just III
tie hope that you don't always mea
what you say"
Don't you think mean It when
tell you I've heard how you bragge
to the boys at the store that you coul
take me whenever you got good an
ready?'
Il never said 1t in that way Som
one has garbled my words to suit the
own purpose. Why. I've loved 20
from the first time I ever set eyes o
lyou. I've been thinking OF building
cabin on my claim--if you'll have m
Loena. If you won't I'll sell out an
go to the States
u, "You can't go any too quick to su
Ime." answered the girl. her voice tens
with scorn. And you can tell the
iloafers at the store that I'm not to |
ltaken SO easily, I'd rather die tina
. lmarry You, Floyd Jordan"
Il reckon that settles IT, said 10
dan. rising and buttoning his Goa
s"Please tell your mother goodby Il