The Meeker herald., 1910-12-10

glance betray Q deeper knowledge they
regarded each other with the baming.
impassive eyes We keep for the uD-
ever moved 10 slowly.
Then Billy Stoughton. who In this
particular case was the Instrument Of
fate. awakened one morning with AN
unaccountable but imperative yearning
for Broadway. Five years earlier an
equally compelling desire had landed
him on the ranch. where he had btded
contentedly enough up to that particu-
lar morning. The evening OF tho next
day found him In Denver. from which
place be proceeded with A. much haste
a. the railroad facilities would permit
10 New York.
On the day Of his arrival he planned
to dine with Renwick. the closest Of
his college friends. He had just time
to catch him BY telephone before he
left his once. which he did. arranging
to meet him at the elevated station and
60 up town with him.
The first effervescence Of their meet
ing over. Stoughton's beaming eyes
roved over the other passengers. A
slight figure at the far end Of the chr
held bis glance He looked again to be
sure.
Pardon me minute. Jack" be said.
rising and making bis way toward the
girl. with whom a moment later he
was shaking hands cordially and talk
ing with the ense Of long friendship.
Presently he returned to Renwick. and
as he did 20 4 revealing look p9aed
between the two. A bridge at iaAM
"It's Nntitn Aston. cousin Of mine.
you know" he explained to Renwick
Tough luck they had. tell you. But
she's a plucky girl. She has earned her
own living now for four years."
"Win you present mer' demanded
Renwick eagerly.
Certainly. I'll take you up there
with me- Natica will be glad to re.
ceive any friend OF mine"
Thank you, old fellow: thank you"
Renwick paused awkwardiy. He seem
ed to have something else to say. but
scarcely knew. how to say 1t.
when ! said-asked you to intro
duce mel didn't mean the usual thing
I'm going to ask you to do something
queer and to do II without asking too
many questions"
what kind Of mystery is this7"
inquired stoughton. III didn't know
that there isn't grain of romance In
you ] should certainly think
Now. don't think-there's a good
fellow" soothed Renwick. AUST fol.
low instructions. Tell Miss Aston all
about me, and mind that you tell her
everything good that you can or III
wiring your neck. and make an appoint
ment for me to call Don't make any
mistake. want to see her. and see
her alone. don't want you there"
When poor. mystined Bill stoughton
preached the subject to Natica her be-
havior was doubly mysterious No.
she didn't want to know anything
about him., Then q moment later:
ibid you say b. b q bachelorr' TIN:
nocentlyI II thought he was = wild
over"
stoughton. Indignantly. II thought
you knew nothing about him"
II don't. but he wore Mourning"
THAT was for his mother"
10 the dim little parIor Of the small
apartment where she and her mother
lived they met for the 6rst time alone
save for the dead and gone Alstons
that looked down upon them from the
walls. Surely never was such a frst
meeting before.
When the maid ushered him In.
Natica. looking rather more like lily
than usual In her long. soft black
gown. rose with every intention of
greeting him In the most formal man
ner. Then a most unlocked for thing
occurred.
For moment they looked into each
others eyes. Then he stretched out
his hands toward her. and she placed
hers in them. moment later she
was swept up into bis arms as II she
had been n child as he murmured soft.
ly. My dear. dear lover
what shall we tell mamma2" wall
ed Naticn In despair half hour later.
How can We ever explain oursclves?''
I'VE can't" replied Renwick com
fortably. 1--WE might Just rs well re-
sign ourselves to being thought mnd.
1t all comes from the ridiculous super
stitIop that 10 order to know people
you must tnik to them"
And then-well. then they forgot the
world and Its opinions to talk Of far
Nvelier things.