El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-09-26
By Paul Ralston.

" ASTINGS, smiling in happy an
ticipation, tore open the letter
the servant had just handed
/ him. 1t contained the one word
| ''Nixey," followed by the signature
! Dixie" and below was this postscript:
I have decided to go to China
! Signed, D. T."
THE little heathen,' Jack ripped out
/ as he threw himself into a chair and
| deliberately tore the note 10 bits
He thrust the torn bits of paper into
! his pocked, walked to the window and
! stood lost in thought for few min
utes.
John" he said to the servant at
work on the lawn, L wish you'd nave
! the car brought round as soon as pos
sible. I'll take q little ride"
a few minutes later the car was at
| the door
Under Hastings's guidance it raced
swiftly down the drive and on to the
broad highway. There, in response to
his lightest touch, it flew over the
oiled and dustless road. Here, at last,
was something he could control; some
thing he could WOO and win, and his
heart throbbed in unison with the mo-
tor beneath his hand.
He let out the speed and with head
bent over the steering wheel, eye fixed
on the road in front of aim and, heart
and mind on Dixie Taylor, he was I'M
conscious of all else.
Ahead was a sharp bend in the road.
where it circles steep hill; beyond.
the rails of the main line girdIed
valley A whistle sang out a warn
ing but it was scarcely audible above
the roar of the bounding motor.
The car took the curve like a thor
oughbred, and Hastings was rushing on
49,,
hit him on the head and dropped to the
bottom Of the car. He awoke with
start, and in an instant took in the
situation There was no time to re-
treat His only safety lay in crossing
the track ahead of the oncoming train.
He threw on all the power of the ma
chine and had barely get clear by
yard when the Onrushing train swept
by him.
When partially recovered from the
shock, ne had 6 faint recollection of
receiving a blow on the head. He
glanced down and there at his feet lay
little white canvas shoe.
He glanced over the road he had
Just travelled, but there was no one in
sight Well, he must return that shoe
to it's owner, and he must find her at
once. That was obvious
He whirIed the car about and. max
ing sure that no express tram was
coming this time, recrosSed the track
and swept round the curve. The road
was deserted, but on the side Of the
hill, some distance above his head,
girl stood watching him. She was
gowned in white, and light blue veil
encircled her head and held in place
a soft felt hat. Her arms were filled
with great clusters of bright red
roses
IF you please" she said, I'D like to
have my shoe"
Hastings set the brakes, and bound
ed from the car.
''Dixie!" he cried, Dixie Taylor!"
Then with the next breath he eXclaim-
ed. "Why, Dixie, what are you doing
here?" He went towards her with out
stretched arms and a inappy light in
his eyes.
"Oh. it's Mr. Hastings. Pm surpris-
ed" Dixie's tone was frigid; it simply
exuded cold, and chilled the very at
mosphere.
Hastings paused. In the unexpected
meeting he had forgotten the letter
In an instant, the welcoming light left
his eyes, and in its place came cold
glitter He glanced at the wnite-stock-
inged foot pressed into the dust of the
trail
permit me-" he said, as he sank TO
the ground in front of her.
Dixie nesitated She preferred to do
that service for herself, but if she did,
she would be compelled to drop her
roses. Then he would pick them up
and insist on carrying them, so she
thrust her foot out gingerly and lean