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

A sense OF lumOr might nave edSeu
the situation. The haste Of Cowden,
who was grimly bent on catching the
north-bound train due in an hours
time to pass a town ten miles away !;
the undisturbed tranquility of the
eoumtryman beside him, who had left
his work to drive the stranger from
one town to the other; the old nag,
Rmbling along, insensible to all urgings
made up a combination not without
the elements Of humor, but Cowden was
essentially a serious-minded young
man.
The business that brought him there
on flying trip dispatched to his salts
faction, he felt obliged to get back i'm
mediately to the firm with his report,
and to work again. 1t was always
work with Cowden. His father, now
dead some years, had often remarked
with pride that there was no foolish
ness about Henry. His young sister,
from her feminine standpoint, declared
with indignation that he was the only
man she ever knew who could
bury himself In a lot of dry books
when the house was full of pretty girls.
But the girls, poor things, had never
been Of more interest to him than so
many playful kittens.
Jogging along through the dust and
heat, Cowden, in the midst of his dis
comfort became gradually conscious of
an exceeding thirst. He knew they had
no time to spare, and, moistening his
dry lips, braced himself to bear his suf-
ferlngs like a man; but presently the
sight of a farmhouse nearby tempted
him greatly.
"My friend" he said feebly, 81 am
dead for drink Of water. Do you sup
pose l could get one there?"
YES" said Jake: "somebody'll be
around; but don't furgit," he admon-
ished, as Cowden hurried off, don't
furglt that yea amt got no time to
spare If you ketch that train"
Cowden climbed the hill on a run,
coming ut a turn in the lane upon the
house, which he found surrounded by
a garden bright with old-fashioned
flowers. The veranda was covered with
fragrant honeysuckle, and he became
aware at once that some one was sit
ting behind the vines. A steady thud
and splash reached his ears, and COM
ing nearer, he saw a girl in a blue
print gown at churn. On seeing him,
she sprang to her feet and came to the
steps. The sleeves of her dress, which
was fresh and spotless, were rolled
above the elbows, revealing a pair of
round, white arms. A large apron was
tied snugly about her slim waist A
pair Of very kind, bright eyes looked
straight into his, seeming both to ques-
ton and to sympathlze with him in the
stress of the moment, while her cheeks
grew pink. Piled high above a smooth
and innocent brow of milky whlteneSs,
her rudy hair cleaned like a coronet.
Her nose-Cowden could never quite
recall aftcrward, except that it was
small and dear; but the mouth, so SEN
sitIve and sweet, smiling nervousy one
"OLhChL W NhoASC W Il 81 Why
the next-he never forgot her mouth.
II beg your pardon" he gasped, re-
moving his hat and unconsciously star
ing at the vision before him, "but
could you give me glass of water2
1 am in a great hurry, and If you
would be so kind"
water" she exclaimed pleasantly,
"of course! 1 shall be back in a mo-
ment." She turned away and with
little run disappeared in the house,
returning In a twinkling, tumbler of
sparkling water in one hand and one
of milk In the other.
81 brought some milk, too," shs
laughed breathlessly; (which will you
haveT
But for answer he only reached for
the water, raising 1t eagerly to his
lips,
The girl watched him smilIngly as
he drained the glass and returned 1t
with a deep breath of satisfaction and
word of thanks.
"You were thirsty" she exclaimed
"Some more"
"No, thank you," said Cowden, be-
ginning to move away. Il wish 1
might" he replied, 'but 1 must catch
train. 1 haven't a moment" But
he stood quite still and looked at her.
She made a picture for a man to carry
in his heart for many day, standing
in the sunlight. A kind of good COM
radeship beamed from her clear, blue
eyes, and there was hint Of frlendli-
ness, sympathy, and quick intelli-
gence in the humorous little smile
which curved her lips-a sweet and
wholesome woman If one ever lived
In a small hand, half-extended, she
held the glass Of milk lnvitingly.
AZ must hurry" faltered Cowden,
as he moved away. "You are very
kind. Thank you a thousand times"
Then he repeated like an lmbecile, II
have to hurry" By this time he had
reached the turn of the lane, where
he paused and looked back. She stood
as he had left her, sweetly smiling.
Lifting his hat again, he ran rapidly
down the hill.
"By Georeel" he said to himself,
what a pretty grill and l had to
rush of like a beast" He groaned