The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-12-01

ton the morning after the storm. Yet
you must realize how disappointing It
is to lose even the slightest hope Of
escape"
We'll, 1 don't know. II it wasn't for
the fever that's bound to come with
the rain. I, for one. would just as
leave stick to this camp right along.
providing the company don't change"
She turned upon him with flashing
eyes. all thought of caution lost in her
anger How dare you say such
thing? You are contemplate! de.
spise you!"
My. Miss Jenny. but you are pref.
ty when you get mad" he exclaimed.
The answer took her completely
aback. He was neither angry nor
laughing at her. but met her defiant
glance with candid. sober admiration.
There was something more than adj
miration in his glowing eyes: yet she
could not but see that her alarm had
been baseless. His manner had never
been more respectful. Suddenly she
found that she could no longer meet
his gaze. She looked away and
stammered lamely: 'You-you should
mt say such things, you know"
why not? Hasn't everything been
running smooth the last few days?
Haven't We been good chummy COM
rades? OF course you've got the worst
of the deal. l know I'm not much on
fancy talk; but l like to hear 1t when
I've a chance. I've led lonesome
sort of life since they did for my sis
ters- No, I'm not going to rake that
up again. I'm only trying to give you
an idea what it means to a fellow to
be with a lady like you. Maybe it
isn't polite to tell you all this. but it's
just what l feel, and never did
amount to shucks as liar"
Il believe l understand you, Mr..
Blake, and l really feel highly com.
plimented."
mo, you don't, any such thing, Miss
Jenny. Own up. now! If met you
tomorrow on your papa's doorstep.
you'd cut me cold"
Il should if you continued to be sc
rude. Have you no regard for my
feelings? But here We are, talking
nonsense when We should be going"
rs it nonsense?" he broke In
What does life mean. anyway? Herr
we can be true friends and comrades
real. free living people. 1t can't be
that you want to 60 back to all those
society shams after you've seen real
life! AS for me, what have l to gain
by going back to the everlasting
grind? l don't mind work; but when
a man has nothing ahead to work for
but a bank account, when it's grind.
grind, grind till your head goes stale
and all the world looks black, then
there's no choice but throw up your
job and go on a drunk. If you want to
keep from a gun accident. Maybe
you don't understand It. But that's
what I've had to 60 through, time and
again. Do you wonder like to fancy
an everlasting picnic here. with q
little partner who wouldn't let me
come within shouting distance of her
in the land of lavender-trousers and
peek-a-boos?"
mfr. Blake, really you are most un.
just! l could not be $3.50 migrate
full, after all your kindness. I've
should certainly be glad to number
you among our friends
Drink and all, eh?"
"A man of your will-power has no
need whatever to give way to such q
habit"
Course not, II he's got anything
in sight worth while. Guess, though.
my folks must have been poor white
trash. l never could go after money
just for the fun of the game. No
family. no friends. no-what-you-call
it?-culture- What's the use?
have a fair head for figures; but an
the mathematics that l know I've had
to catch hot OF the bat. It's true I
grubbed my C. E. out Of q CORE
spondence school; but fellow has to
have an all-round, crack-up education
to put him where it's worth while"
You still have time to work up.
You are not much over go"
''Twenty-seven."
''Twenty-seven! should have
thought What a hard life you must
have had"
Hard work? Well. I suppose Pana-
ma did do for me some. But 1t wasn't
SO much that. Few fellows could hit
up, the pace I've set and come out at
ALL" - -.
Il do not understand"
Just what yon might expect Of =
fellow in my fix-all kinds of gamble
and drink and-the rest of it,
(TO BE CONTINUED)