The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-01-14

"
pf brown hat on tho canyon tran.
simultaneously with Ia appearance q
ngurc emerged from tho shack ON the
aide OF Spur and disappeared among
tho pines beneath the branches Of
which tho rall sigzaggcd down 10 Bear
creek and met the canyon tran. !
sYou'li be sorry some day You ever
left ua for Wyoming" Abigail had re-
marked with n pious droop at tlls cor
ncra Of hcr mouth M sho bndc tho cid.
cst sistcr goodby, and the memory OF
that cheerful parting flashed Into Miss
Lovilla's mind now IN abe arose ana
called, alfred. AlfredW II any harm
should comu 10 unlucky through her,
II shnll lust have TO make the bcnt OF
II alone" sho cried aloud az the only
reply 10 her call was duh boom OF
blast In tho tunnel above.
Across tho footbridgo and through
the willows she hurried. her breath
coming faster and faster M she began
the ascent TO Bear creek. Farther upl
tho trail sounded unlucky'a whistle.
while down among tho willows echoed
the sharp click OF horses lroofs.
III I'm only In time TO warn himW
she whispered. but she was not Near
or and nearer came tho sound Of the
horses hoofs. Dutch 10. lighting
drunk, was gaining on her Tho next
turn In tho trail would bring him into
view,
"Tvc got to stop him" gaspcd Miss
Lovilla. trembling, but rcsoluto.
Now, whatever Dutch JOS original
expectations had been In coming up TO
camp armed aud whisky brave, he GER,
tainly did not expect TO DO hold up byl
any such nonshootable object as al
woman. Neither did his horse. which,
promptly snorted and backed. skirts
having greater tcrrors FOR II than
spurs.
"shtand out OF the way!' vociferstcd
Dutch Jo, listening to the whistle.
II shan't do any such thing" 70.
torted Miss l.oyilla. occupying the mid
die Of tho trail and gathering up her
apron through force Of habit,
Dutch Jo drove the spurs deeper ana
menaccd tho opposition with his CURT
"win you no shtand out of my way,
heinz no urged, his face purpling
with anger.
mo. | won't" declared Miss Loyilla.
The approaching whistle rendered her
desperate. She advanced prccipitatcly
into tho pony's face. waving her apron
frantically. "shooI' she cried. Go
back with your
That settled the matter. unccremo'
niously the broncho showed q pair OF
iron shod heels to tho up trail aud do
parted Meadowward, with tho bit In
his teeth, leaving Miss Loyilla "all
trembly."
"salina always said was bigger
baby than either OF hers she qua
yercd and proceeded to demonstrate the
fact by pumping herself down on thu
nearest log and weeping into tho am
pie folds OF her apron.
Here an instant later unlucky stood
as helpless before her tears as Dutch
Jo had been before her unexpected on'
slaught. Miss scanlon. what's the
matter?' be implored.
II don't know" came In faltering
untruthfulness from behind tho apron.
This weeping over. she knew not
what was the most bewildering propo.
sitlon Unlucky had ever met with.
"IIas anything have you-hurt your
selfT he asked. bending over and lay
Ing hesitating hand on the apron.
mo, I'm not hurt" Miss Lovilla
was glad she was not obliged to lie
this time.
Unlucky's hand fell from the apron.
"Why," he began perplexedly, ut can't
be you are crying just toto pass
away the time"
Then Miss Lovilla's tears gave way
suddenly to smiles She removed the
apron and looked up at Unlucky stand.
Ing straight and tall and honest before
her. 1t was good to see him there.
I'm 30 glad" she burst out between
tears and laughter that you are
alive"
II was strange speech. Dutch 10
q milo down the canyon would have
understood 1t, but not Unlucky. TO
him 1t meant something which filled
him with the joys of courage he had
never expected would bo his, and be
fore Miss Loyilla could protcst--had
she been 10 inclIned--he had taken her
comely face between bis hands and
kissed 1t. a.
The sun had set, and Alfred was
wondering what had become Of his
aunt, when she appeared. followed by
| UnIucky. There was m air abo1t
them both which arrested Alfred's at.
tention before Unlucky spoke.
"Alf," he began, "Pm In luck. I've
4 Just staked tho richest gold find In
wyoming, and no ones goin' to jump
my claim either" f8t9g gs
Alfred glanced at Miss Lovilla's
smiling face, and a pleased grin began
at his bearded lips and was lost In bis
dancing eyes. without d word he