Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-08-28

could sympathize with her longing for
that PARKWAY land Yes. MisSuuln was
sure TO come that way HImurrow.
He was waiting for them ON the next
afternoon. and Teddy was swung ~
on the saddle in n jitfy. But now 1t
was the big policeman who talked,
while Missouln listened In shy silence
His name was Jones. They used 10
call me Shorty down In the Panhan
die because | was so tall" he explain,
ed with II laugh mo, they don't do 1t
here" In answer TO her questioning
look. at wouldn't he healthy for
them. The men on the force call me
jim. | haven't any pals up here"
Jim had come to New York with
some full blood cattle, But the attrac'
tions of the big city proved too much
for him, and after debauch of sew
eral days he had come to himself only
to find that the rest of the crew had
gone back, and he was left alone
adrift. There had been some hard
days. jim spoke of them hesitatingly
and with Il shamed flush on his tanned
cheek.
But then | got on the force-on nc
count of my riding-and I've been on
over year can't complain of the
pay. and the works light enough. But
| get such longing for the sun shining
in a perfect blue sky and my pony
picking his way among the holes of Il
dog town-the little beggars sitting up
and scolding at you as bold as YOU
Ill IA
through the mesquite bushes into a
water hole-and letting him drink as
much as he pleases and then riding on
TIL the sun sets as It never docs up
here. bands of light playing right
across the sky and purple glow over
everything. Well when | get to think
ing Of all that get uneasy-like and
tired of all this crowding. Some fine
morning the feeling will be extra
strong. and then"-he laughcd-"the
force will he losing one OF its orna'
ments."
Missoula was looking up eagerly.
Her eyes were as blue as the Texas
sky of which he spoke and wide with
longing. "You will be going back,
too. some day. Miss Missoula," he said
softly.
She caught her breath sharply, like
one suddenly walked from a dream.
"Yes," she said dispritedly. 81 s'pose
so-when Mis- Bankers ready to go"
The three met often after that. Ted.
dy had come TO look on Jim Crow as
one of his possessions, while Missoula
and his master had become the best of
friends and meanwhile tardy spring
was breathing new life into the half
tina wed slopes of the park. Timd
grass blades appeared.
The afternoon sun shonp down warm
" and showed Missoula engaged in re-
straining Teddy from picking a spray
Of the enticing burning BUSH The
tall policeman came up during the al.
tercstion. AS they walked on together
he preserved an unwonted silence.
Springs about here" Missoula OBJ
served at last. 'I've been thinking how
the prairie must look by now-iest one
big flower bed"
Jim looked off across the treetopS
with eyes unseeing of their delicate
veil Of leaa,-'GGs. I've been thinking,
to-" he said. "and | just can't stand
the city any longer. I'm going back
west" Missoulas face paled.
I'D have gone long ago If it hadn',
been for you. Missoula." He looked
down now aud as he saw her agita'
ton went on eagerly: 81 won't go now
unless you will go too. I've been saw
ing money. and I've written out, sc
there's n position ready. Won't you
go. Muscular"
Missoula's face blushed rosy red,
but she met his ardent gaze frankly
"Yes, I'll go, jim" she said. 81 trust
you. Teddy's getting so old now he
won't be missing me. And. oh, Jim,
Wen be going back to the west to-
getherw There was a choke in het
voice.
Jim drew her to him. and 1t was
well that the path was deserted or oh.
servers might have been scandalized
by the spectacle of one of the force
who had quite forgotten his dignity.