The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-08-07


I owing TO the extreme breadth of his
shoulders and the hearty thickness
OF body from chest TO back. His head
was round, the hair close-cropped, and
his face. though youthful and with
the glow OF health upon II. was face
which had certainly endured hard
experiences and perhaps an adventuI'
Gus life had gnarled at him for mo-
ment or two, but would have said,
Here is a man OF character ana
force"
He went into the shooting gallery
The great show was now III entire
ly by electric light. as the evening
shades had fallen over the multifar'
ious and Changing life OF Mr.. Woom-
hangers domain. The saloon was
brilliantly lit. and concealed arc lamps
threw an even more brilliant radi'
nnce upon the painted vista OF the
Rocky mountains beyond plush-cov'
cred ledge. on which lows OF gleam-
ing rifles lay ready.
There was absolutely no one In the
front part of the saloon. and Hamp-
sons face. which had worn an air OF
resolution and determination as he
enttTtu. DtChm0 PuhhAou ohN eAa&Oy ~
as he looked around. His entrance,
however, had been heard. Tor from
somewhere behind the painted scene
fresh silvery young voice piped on!
message.
Il am coming, Sisnor. II you please.
moment"
The cloud passed away from the
young mans face.
IT'S me-" he said ungrammatically.
but with something glowing in his
voice-"It's me, Lucia. I'm here. Lucy
dear!"
A murmur answered him. and he
stood waiting impatiently by q table
upon which tin boxes OF miniature
cartridges, ramrods, and sponges were
arranged in neat and orderly rows.
He looked round the place. How
familiar II was! For ten days now
he had spent nearly all his spare time
In this little shooting gallery, and
especially this particular half hour.
when nobody ever came there. and he
could be alone with her. Ten days!
II seemed ten years since he had flrss
turned idly into the place and seen
the slim Italian girl. Instantly some
thing within him had leapt up In an
swer to her shy glance OF welcome
In all his wild, wandering life as q
sailor on distant seas and among
strange countries he had never felt
that sudden inexplicable thrill before.
And. again. since good fortune had
come to him, since he had been lucky
enough to be made assistant superin'
tendent Of Dock B In the great ada
cent ship canal, no girls face had done
more than excite a passing interest
with him and during this quieter,
more responsible and prosperous life
which he had led for the last year he
had been entirely without feminine
society or any wish for II.
AS he stood waiting there--waitins
for the girl who kept the shooting gal.
lery-he realized more powerfully
than ever how no was enslaved. and
how for the first time In his eventful
life he loved, and loved passionately
with the wild devouring name that
love Is to strong. free natures such as
his.
His hands were clenched with his
|, eagerness and determination. He felt
that they were damp and hot. II had
not been without q great struggle that
he had overcome the voices OF pru-
dence and wisdom ana decided to ask
her to marry him. She's an Italian;
sho's a little nameless girl who trav'
els about with q show. What sort OF
wife will she make for o strong Ian
cashire man OF the world. such as you
area man who has got his foot upon
the rungs Of the ladder at last-a man
txnsx 90 "a
enc voice. The answer was more mu-
steal, az Il was more etrong-"She's
beautiful. and I love her."
He heard footsteps. a curtain push
ed aside Lucia was there-Lucia
Tavolara--the girl who could break
the glass balls which leapt upon the
little fountain, who never missed the
running rabbits and deer with her toy
winchester repeater. who could make
o dozen successive bullseyes with her
noiseless nickel-plated air gun--Lucia
Tavolara, the shooting saloon attend
ant-Lucy who was husband-high.
A girl who certainly was not more
than II was before him. Her face
was pure oval, the complexion q clear
olive color, save whore, high on the
rounded cheeks, the color mantled
into q warmth like the inside petal OF
Caroline rose. The small and now
er-like head was crowned with q cor
onal Of dead-black hair-hair which
was almost purple In certain lights.
and dark az q southern night when
the honey.colored moon has set. She
was slim and virginia.: innocence and
simplicity made an atmosphere around
her before which the great strong sail.
or felt his inmost being bowed In rev.
erence and wonder.
He made a sudden step toward her
Lucia" he said. al last! Dear
little girl. have como to ask you"
FIe knew little Italian. She an
swered him In her own tongue. "Ho
notizie a darvf'-I have some news
to tell you
But watt" he said, Listen to what
have to say. Darling little girl. I
can't live without you think of you
night and day: want you to marry
me. Will you, little girl?
AS he spoke something dawned IN
her face. II was TRANSPORTED for a
moment. Then her head dropped like
a tired flower.
"Ah!" she said. mon sto bens"-I
am not we'll
you heard what I said. Lucy: l
can't live without you"
She raised her head and looked
straight In his face. The great brown
eyes were full OF yearning; they were
like still forest pools lit by the last
lights of sunset.
Yes. caro-" she said; Il know you
| H..