The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-08-24

could sympathize with her longing for
that PARKWAY land. Yes, Missoula was
sure to come that way tomorrow
He was waiting for them on the next
afternoon, and Teddy was swung up
on the saddle IN a jIfy But now II
was the big policeman who talked,
while Missoula listened In shy silence
His name was Jones. They used to
call me Shorty down in the Panhan.
die because ! was SO tall" be explain
ed, with a laugh. mo, they don't do It
here" 10 answer to her questioning
look. 1T wouldn't be healthy for
them. The men on the force call me
Jim. haven't any pals up here"
Jim had come 10 New York with
some full blood cattle. But the attrac.
tons OF the big city proved too much
for him, and after debauch OF sew
eral days he had come 70 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 a shamed flush on bis tanned
check
but then got on the force-on ac
count Of my ridlng-and I've been on
over a 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 bis way among the holes Of
dog town-the little beggars sitting up
and scolding at you as bold as you
please and then gcrambling down
through the mesquite bushes into q
water hole-and letting him drink as
much as he pleases and then riding on
til the sun sets as It never does 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-hke and
tired OF all this crowding Some fine
morning the feeling win be extra
strong, and then" he laughed 1.-THE
force will be losing one OF its orna
ments."
Mlssoula was looking up eagerly /
Her eyes were as blue as the Texas
sky OF which he spoke and wide with
longing. 'You win be going back,
too, some day, Miss MIssoula," be said
softly.
She caught her breath sharply, Ike /
one suddenly walked from a dream
yes she said dispiritedIy, Il s'pose
so-when Mis- Barker's ready TO 60"
The three met often after that. Ted. I
dy had come to look on Jim Grow as
one Of his possessions, while Mlssoula /
and HIS master had become the best Of
friends, and meanwhile a tardy spring
was breathing new life into the half
thawed slopes Of the park. Timld /
grass blades appeared
The afternoon sun shone down warm
II and showed Missoula engaged IN re-
straining Teddy from picking 4 spray
Of the enticing burning BUSH" The
tall policeman came up during the al.
tercarion. AS they walked 90 together
he preserved an unwonted silence
Springs about here Missoula OBJ
served at last 1--WE been thinking how
the prairie must look by NOVELIST one
big flower bed"
Jim looked or across the treetops
with eyes unseeing Of their delicate
veil of leaves. "pve been thinking
too" 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 II It hadn't
been for you. Missoula." He looked
down now aud as he saw her agita.
lion went on eagerly: 4 won't 90 now
unless you will 60 too I've been saw
Ing money, and I've written out, SO
there's a position ready. Won't you
%, Muscular
Missoula's face blushed a rosy red,
but she met his ardent gaze frankly
Yes, I'll 90, Jim, she said. Il trust
you. Teddy's getting so old now be
won't be missing me. And, oh, Jim,
wen be going back to the west TO-
yetherT There was choke in her
voice.
Jim drew her TO him. and it was
we'll that the path was deserted or OBJ
servers might have been scandalized
~ the spectacle Of one Of the force
who had quite forgotten his dignity.