Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-01-04

.
reference" he explained. gravely. was
-eh-entireiy to the-eh-looal color,
! the-eh-expert touches"
"Ohi"
YES. miss. Its-eh-bad taste out
here to-eh-doubt anybody's word
eh-pubHcly."
Monat stirred uucasily his hand
flung behind him. bat Mcneil was gag
/ ing into the lady's fair face. appar-
entity unconscious OF any other pres
ence
But all this time YOU have not IA
/ vored me with any OF your own adj
ventures. Mr.. Mcneil am very sure
I you must have had hundreds out on
I these widC plains"
The somewhat embarrassed foreman
! shook his head discouraeingly.
"Oh, but I just know YOU have. only
/ Won are SO modest about recounting
/ them. Now. that scar just under your
/ hair-really &c is not at an unbecom-
| ing-surely that reveals q story. Was
/ it caused by an Indian arrow
Mcneil crossed his legs. and wiped
his damp forehead with the back OF
his hand. "Hoof OF a damn pack
mule he explained. forgetting him
self. "The-eh-cuss lifted me ten
feet"
M0Gat laughed hoarseiy, but as the
foreman Strengthened UP quickly. the
amazed girl Joined happily in. and his
own face instantly exhibited the con-
tagion.
Amt much-eh-cver happens out
on a ranch" he said. doubtfuuy. Eek
cert dodgin' steers. and-eh-bustin'
broncocs"
Mofar had his head Grained out OF
the window once more. in an apparent
determination TO ignore an further
frivolous remarks. suddenly De point
cd directly ahead.
There's Glcncaid now. Miss Spcn-
GER" DE said. cheerfuuy That's the
spiro OF the new Presbyterian church
sticking up above the ridge"
"Oh indeedi How glad 2 ann Co be
hero safe at lastt"
"How-ch-did you happen to-ch
recognize the church," asked Mr..
McNen with evident admiration.
"You-ch--cant see 10 from the sa-
loon"
MoGat disdained reply and tho
lu~ching stage rolled rapidly down the
valley. the mules now dashed into a
wnd ga,iop to the noisy accompani-
mont of fhc drivers whip.
The rcors cIa,tcred across the mar
row bridge. ans. with sudden swing.
AN came to sharp stand. amid
cloud % dust before O naked yellow
house
~f.cres where you set OUT MISS"
announced the Jehu leaning down
from his seat Goo peer within This
we're is the Ecrndon sheb3ur"
The gentlemen inside assisted Niss
Spencer to descend .n safety to the
vecd-borderod Vaik, where she stood
shaking her RULED plumaee into
shape and giving directions regarding
her luggage Then thc two gentle
men emerged. Monat bearing "a grip
case. a handhoE. and a basket. while
Mcneil supported a shawl-strap and
small trunk. Thus decorated they
meeRly followed her lead up the mar
row path toward the front door. The
latter opened suddenly. and Mrs.
Herndon bounced forth with vocifer-
Gus welcome.
why. Phoebe Spencer. and haze
YOU really come, I didn't expect you'd
get along before next week. on. this
seems TOO nice TO see you again: al
most as good as going home to Yer
mont You must Dc completely tired
out"
Dear Aunt Lydia. OF course I'm
glad 10 be here. But I'm not in the
least tired. I've had such a delightful
trip She glanced around smilingly
upon her perspiring cavaliers. "Oh.
put those things down, gentlemen
anywhere there on the grass; they
can be carried in later. II was SO
kind Of you both"
Hey. there" sang out the driver
growing impatient, IL you two gents
are amin 10 30 down town with this
outfit, you'd better be pilin' in lively.
fer ! can't stay here all day"
Monat glanced furtively aside at
Mcneil, only to discover that indi-
vidual quietly seated on the trunk.
He promptly dropped his own grip.
Drive on with your butchers cart" |
he called out spitefully. I reckon it's
no special honor TO ride 10 town"
The pleasantly smiling young wom-
an glanced from Que to the other her
eyes fairly dancing. as the numbering
coach disappeared through the red
dust
How very nice OF you to remain"
she exclaimed. Aunt Lydia. ! am so
anxious for you TO meet my friends.
Mr.. Moffat and Mr. Mcneil. They
have been so thoughtful and entertain
ing all the way up the Bear Water,
and they explained so many things
that / did not understand"
She swept impulsively down toward |
them, both hands extended. the bright |
glances OF her eyes bestowed impair
TALLY.
Il cannot invite you to come into /
the house now" she exclaimed. sweet |
ly. for ] am almost like stranger
here myself. but l do hope you will |
both OF you call. I shall be so very
lonely at first. and you are my earliest
acqnalntances. You will promise.
won't your"
on