Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-12-30
When
Came Back
|, Brought With 1t Comfort to
Two Lonely Persons
BY MARTHA BURNHAM
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.

but the distant ranges beloved white
against red and purple sunset. Two
horses tracked across the unsullied
Wilderness. kicking up the snow In lit
tie sparkling flurries.
you didn't want to stay all night
at the Falls. Eben?" asked one OF the
riders, with side glance Mt the hand
some, sullen face Of his companion.
"And get drunk as lord by Christ
mas morning?' returned the other con-
'emptuously. II guess I'm pretty des-
perate. Dell. but ! Amt mean and
small enough to do that. I've got
some self respect left"
"So've l." rejoined Deilmore quick
IL. Its darned lonesome at tho
ranch. and II doesn't seems IL l could
sit around all day tomorrer when 9th
or folks are keeping Christmas and
lust hear that chink singing around
In that queer Chinese voice Of his. 1t
always reminds me of how different
things are than they used to be"
You mean when you We're n boyf"
asked Eben Rowe curiously.
Yes. There was big family OF
us. and we always had a ripping old
time They're all dead now except
me. ] got used to knowing ! was all
alone. but whenever Christmas comes
around 1t seems as II had to learn
1t all over again. I'm glad when it's
the day after" Dellmore looked away
and his strong. gray eyes winked rap
idly
Same here" said Ebcn grufiiy.
"Of course I've had dreams OF hav-
ing home some day-gettlng married
and seeing children around-and I've
always had the idea Of Christmas in
mind whenever thought about that
home. could see the tree and the
row of stockings stuffed with things
that I-er-we had bought over TO the
Falls" Dellmore's bronzed cheek red
dened to deeper tint than the vivid
sunset
Same here" repeated Eben Rowe
hoarsely.
Suddenly Dcllmore threw out his
hand and laughed recklessly. but
what's the use OF talking?" he de
manded. 1T all came to nothing"
Same here
Dellmore turned and faced his com
panion. DO you mean that. Eben.
honest? Or are you joshing me-"
"Afean WHAT" asked the other stead
fly.
"That you've had all those expert
ences too? or course know about
your being boy and losing all your
folks same as | dld-that's Il common
case but about having dreams of-of-
home and Youngsters and Christ
mas and having 1t all come 10 nothing
after all"
Every word you've said has struck
home 10 me-, assured Eben Rowe. his
dark eyes on his companions face.
"It's queer too-us being partners
for two years and knowing so little
about each other Maybe maybe yours
didn't marry some other feller." he
suggested shamefacedly.
'She did, said Rowe briefly.
well. he couldn't have been pin
headed schoolteacher from the east"
insisted Dcllmore. as II he were jeal-
Gus OF his own modification.
lie was" came Rowe's astonishing
reply.
They turned startled questioning
eyes upon each other rs questions and
answers flew fast.
Name wasn't Graham?" demanded
Delmorc
1T was
mot Abel Graham?'
That's H."
Eben Rowe's handsome face was
bent downward. when he spoke his
jaw was set grimly rs IL 10 control
some emotion that would have sway.
"IIer name was Lucy Farr," he said
between his teeth.
For long while after that there
was no sound save the thud of horses
hoofs and the distant Growing Of cocks
from the ranch which they were APP
preaching.
"She wasn't 10 blame" blurted Dell
more suddenly. "She never encouraged
me"
"Me neither" agreed Eben Rowe
heavily. "A girl can't help II II n cou-
pie OF eowpunchers get locoed over her.
| amt cowpuncher now, but was
then--lt was down Larrabee way-four
years ago" he explained
Dellmore brushed huge hand across
his forehead 1T was down Larrabee
way with me. too. only II was FIVE
years ago. When found out she was
engaged 10 him | III out and came
here"
Same with me. only il happened a
wear later. and that's how we happened
10 meet up with each other. Queer,
amt it," Eben Rowe turned TO his
partner ms they rode through the gate
into the yard.
The other nodded. "'Tis odd. I
s'pose II we'd talked like this before