The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1908-07-09
A ROMANCE
of the
PRAIRIE

1t was sunset, and an old man
standing in the doorway OF a cabin
shaded his eyes as he looked across
the rolling prairie. Finally he ca l.
81, They be com n. and IA tall,
beautiful girl came and stood beside
h m, watching the two tiny specks
he indicated. Larger and larger
they grew. until it was easy to dis
Germ two horses com 'ng at swift
canter. Then the 6 RI turned to the
old man, saying,
Don't tel Rodney am here,
Let the surprise be complete and
went ms de the cabin.
81 beat him. Dad beat him.
An answering smile crossed the
old mans lips as the riders drew rein
and Zerappa. his little girl, his idol,
s.rang II the ground.
That's right" added her compan-
ion; she beat me easy"
Eye didn't expect TO get ahead OF
her. did We Rodney asked the old
man, glancing at her fondly. But
Rodney id not answer instead he
stood gazing at the beaut full face
which had appeared above Zerappa s
IN the doorway With pallng cheeks
and unbelieying eyes he cred:
Blanche Is II it you?"
with a cry of Rodney my dar-
ling" the lovely stranger was In his
arms, For moment Zerappa stood
speech cssly staring at them; then,
taking her father by the hand, she
led him away, asking fever.sh'y;
What does it mean, Dad? Who
Is she?"
But the old man could tell her
nothing except that this girl had
come asking for Rodney, and had
waited until his return.
That's all | know" he said in
conclusion, Come, let us go
back"
No" firmly replied Zerappa, her
face white and set I'm going to
stay tonight at Nan 81 told her I'd
be up soon-I'm goin' now"
Nan, living at the next ranch some
10 miles away, was the only gr'
friend Zareppa had and it was moth
ing out of the ordinary for her 10
spend few days with her once in a
while, so the old man offered no OBJ
iections,
with a sad, heavy heart. Zareppa
started on her lonely ride. Every
little while a sob rose in her throat
and her head dropped lower and low
or as she thought of Rodney and the
stranger, until at last II rested on
the shining glossy neck OF Dick, and
the tears rolled down her cheeks in
spite of all heroic efforts to check
them.
What did II mean. Dick?" she
whispered again and again. ION Y
to-day he told me he loved me-vou
heard him. D,ckie boy, didn't you?
That some day when he made his
frtune he wanted to marry me. Was
he only Joking. Dickie, and is she
some sweetheart he left behind in
the East ?"
On she rode. lost IN thought, until
suddenly staring up she cried.
How dark il isl Why. night has
fallen. | ought to be pretty near
Mans now''-then rapidly CHANGING
about her-'Iye lost my way-I
thought you knew better than that,
Dickie boy but well find it-ve've
been here too often to"
Just then her horse reared, fright
ened at the sudden screech Of a coy
oie, and with a cry Zareppa fell
from the saddle and lay bleeding and
Unconscious on the ground.
Poor little girls she badly
hurt? VIII she live?"
The words. in a sweet frightened
voice, fell on \, rappas ear and re-
called her wandering senses slowly
the big blue eyes opened and looked
mp into two fearful brown ones.
Then she gazed about her In a puz-
z'ed manner she was in her own
little bed, while gathered around
her were the stranger, Rodney and
her dear old dad.
Dad he cried feebly
And with fervent Thank GoIt'
the old man claspod her in his arms.
Dad why didn't you let me DEE"
she moaned.
'Zerappa. my darling" or ed Rod
nev. but she turned from him with
little shudder. as ne continued:
Don't speak Hike that, dear When
Dick came home alone We started
ont and searched everywhere for
you. and all night long my sister has
worked so hard '
He paused, startled by the look in
the deep blue eyes.
Your sister," Zerappa repeated.
rs she your your sister,"
And as he nodded a little brown
arm stole around Blanche's neck
while trembling little hand was ex-
tended to Rodney.