Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-11-13

rs Vail as he rode alongside the big
irrlgaiing canal that he had been sent
10 inspect.
Jim?" he asked the foreman.
"They are coming now that they see
the canal Is u 20. The nearest one Is
Judge Rand Ills shack's up yonder.
He's IN luck. We go right through his
ranch"
Judge Rand. Vail wondered II 1t
could be the sane man he had known
long ago. He concluded It was not
possible.
(which way do take to his ranchy'
he asked.
"He's generally clearing sagebrush
this time OF day Follow the canal and
you'll likely run on him."
Vail rode on. fitting his sombrero
back and humming love tune. He
was In contemplative mood this
morning. and the word "Rand" carried
him back to the east. where he had
been born and bred. but whose dust he
had shaken from his feet five years be.
fore. At that time he had been In love
with Kate Rand. an impcrious. self
willed girl. One Hateful day she had
announced her intention OF going to a
masquerade In the character and dress
Of page. His young. conservative
scruples were Mortified. He objected,
and when she persisted In carrying out
her intention his dIctatoriai attitude
moved him TO break the engagement.
Immediately afterward he secured an
appointment rs civil engineer In the
west. Lately his love affair viewed at
long range appeared very boyish af-
fair.
When he came upon the solitary fig-
ure digging doggedly at resisting
root he recognized the man who had
come so near being his father-in-law.
There were mutual recognitions Of
pleasure. and then the judge explained
that he had been caught in the finan-
cial coil Of Wall street and had lost all
his worldly possessions.
Just enough left" he said. ito make
payment on 100 acres here. which I
shall put to potatoes. The spirit Of the
west has caught me. Barry. wouldn't
go back into Wall street purgatory for
any consideration"
After Vail had related his own expe-
riences and inquired after the fortunes
Of mutual friends he asked almost
sheepishly:
did Kate come out here with you"
The judge was silent for moment.
Then he said. with sigh:
Can you picture Kate in the print.
tive life? She had an opportune invi-
tation TO accompany some relatives on
a trip abroad"
"And you live out here alone?" ex.
claimed Vail pityingly.
mo. have my helper. Bill. We
are very comfortable-a little shack for
living room and dining room com.
bined, two sleeping tents and an out
OF door oven--a place for these parts"
But Vail was not listening. His at
tention was concentrated on a slender
figure that was approaching In the dis
lance. The figure was clad In khaki
trousers blue shirt, red kerchief and
sunbonnet.
"Who In the world Is that!" he asked.
The judge turned hastily and looked
confused.
"0h. that's Bill! want him to go to
the next ranch on an errand for me.
Excuse me moment. l will be back"
He FASTENED toward the sunbonneted
figure. and after moments CONVERSE
ton the figure turned and went the
way from which 1t had come.
"Your Bill doesn't look equal to
much hard work." observed Vail dryly.
"BilPs all right at farm work or
housework." assured the judge. Hes
wiry. willing. enduring and, best OF all.
intensely interested in the development
Of the ranch"
you see good many queer sights
In Idaho" remarked Vail. but I'll
swear ! never saw a man or lad wear
Ing sunbonnet."
"Bill lost his one and only sombrero
In reckless ride last week. He went
to the nearest ranch to buy or borrow
one. but the only superfiuous headgear
1t had was this sunbonnet, to which
he is quite attached. as he Is a little
fearful Of sunstrokes."
"Well, must return to the canal. I
intend to be neighborly. Judge"
"Of course. Let me see. Come over
tomorrow to dinner"
Vail chuckled softly as he rode
away.
Il wonder II the judge thought he
could string me that way. l have q
very firm conviction that Bill is Kate.
and, remembering my boyish horror Of
male attire. the judge headed her on.
I suppose he thought he had deceived
me with his evasive statement about
her trip abroad and invited me tomor-
row. when he will take pains to have
Bill. alias Kate. absent. I know OF
no reason why we should not meet In
friendly fashion. know ! admire
her thousand times more than ever
did for coming out here and wearing
any kind Of clothes for working pur-
poses. I'll inst go over tonight. wheth-