El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-09-26
The Winning Of Dixie
The Herald's
Daily Short Story

ed against the bank for support
II very much obliged to you fol
| the timely warning. You're certainl!
a good shot he said. as he arose.
DiXie's face was as red as the flow
/ ers in her arms as she assured MIN that
he owed her no thanks. The warning
was merely accidental, entirely So He1
! foot had caught on a snag, and she had
/ jerked il loose just at the moment his
car was passing, and somehow the shoe
! had bounded away and struck him or
| the head. They were trifle large and
came off easily She mad frequently
had similar accidents.
Hastings's eyes twinkIed.
Well, 1 hope in return for the very
fortunate accidental warning you'll al
low ne to carry your bouquet and also
to drive you home in the car
Dixie's eyes blazed. Thank you
Mr. Hastings, but I couldn't think of
parting with my roses. I'm quite proud
of my find; and it is not far to the
tramway line; il takes me home direct,
and l prefer going that way" She
made a stiff little bow and, before he
realized what was happening, swept
past him down the hill, giving him
no time for further remOnstrance
Hastings, with a face grown white,
stood watching her as she sped light
the car. released the brakes, and fol-
lowed slowly. When Dixie reached the
crossing it was deserted. She placed
the bunch of glorious blooms on q
bench and waited Hastings pulled up
close to the track, rolled a cigarette,
and also waited.
Twenty minutes. a half hour, three
quarters passed, and still no car ap-
peared. Then presently down the road
trOtted a small pony, on it's back
percned q boy. They drew nearer. then
when quite close. they came to dead
stop.
'Tain't no use waitin' here for a
car, cause this road amt been opened
up yet. mister" the boy volunteered.
"'Tain't quite done. There's another
line about two miles that way, if you're
hound to go on the cars" he said, in
dirating the direction with his thumb.
Angry and inwardly raging, but de-
termiped 70 hide her veXation, Dixie
gathered UP the roses.
That's sensible" Hastings declared.
as he reached her side. Let me help
you put them in the car" But Dixie,
though Inundated, had no intention of
surrepdering.
'Oh, l can carry them. Mr.. Hastings,
and please don't trouble to follow me;
I'm used to the hills, and love to wan
der alone. In fact, 1 much prefer go
ing alone"
you don't intend to walk to the
other car line?" he asked in amaze
ment
Certainly"
Hastings stepped in front of her. and
six feet of humanity barred the way
Sorry, Miss Taylor, but 1 can't per-
nit it; you lost your way once this
evening I'm afraid to risk you a sec
ond time. l feel responsible for you"
With a defiant toss of her head.
Dixie tried to pass, but Hastings was
too quick for her. Without a moments
hesitation, he lifted her from the
ground and placed her gently in the
car
Don't attempt to get out" he said.
IF you do, you will compel me to re-
peat the offense If you call for aid
there is no one near enough to hear"
He gathered the scattered rose
blooms and placed them at her feet.
then Sprang to the seat at her side and
put his hand to the wheel Back over
the fOothill drive they went. For
long time they rode in silence. Dixie.
angry and insulted, drew as far from
him as possible and repealed all adj
VGnceS.
4 received your note this afternoon.
he ventured.
No reply.
You didn't mean what that note i'm
piled, did you, Dixie? I can't believe
you were serious when you wrote it."
Nothing but silence-silence and
gloom.
Cant I persuade you to change your