The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1911-08-11
IN


read: "'Abram Hewitt IL doing
splendidly. He Is the only money
lender in town. and is one Of the rich
men now. He is building a beautiful
home and is very helpful to your
father and me. You would not know
him for the same Abram. He n
Quires every day when you She
broke OF abruptly.
Gideon WINGED inwardly. Il
wouldn't do as a money-lender. lie
replied: too much sympathy for the
other fellow. I've had to borrow,
myself"
Constraint fell with that. and Gid
con went to the smoking compart-
ment and sat himself down. gloomily,
In a corner.
"Of course" he chided; Il might
have known some rich man would
want her. I'm surprised she ever
got away from New England without
being married" With that he watch
ed a vague and delightful dream
which had come into his life in the
past IS hours fade as the light OF
evening faded on the distant noun
tains.
The rich Mr.. Hewitt stalked into
their conversation and spread him
self around like a wet blanket fire.
quently; after that Gideon tried to
avoid him. and SO did the school
maam girl. But he was evidently
character not accustomed to being
ignored. II was patent to Gideon he
had nominated himself to be the hus-
band of little Miss Serena and that.
furthermore. Serena's parents were
eager to ratify the nomination.
Once. when they were looking over
some Of the girls snapshots they
came to a man posing under a tree.
man with his hat tilted knowingly
back. unaware that he showed a fore
head from which the hair was reced-
ing. He had an upcurled. oily-looking
black mustache. and wore a satisfied
smirk.
Who's that?" demanded Gideon.
That's Mr.. Hewitt" returned Ser.
| emo
Why. he's old," cried Gideon. with
fierce triumph. And then he leaned
forward to look into her eyes. Bun,
don't marry hint He"
Mr.. Rush,"
For the first time Gideon felt the
The humbled Gideon sought refuge
in the smoking compartment. where
he stayed until bedtime.
Next morning he recalled with q
start that they were but IL hours
from Gilesburg. He sought Serena
The schoolma'am girl was encased
in the manner which he knew strange
teachers adopt at an institute. She
was painstakingly polite and pain
fully friendly. and as impersonal as
the multiplication table. For once
Mr.. -Iuwitt did not get into the con
versation.
Even at dinner. a dining car extrav
agance on which Gideon insisted be
cause II was to be their last meal to
gether. the girls armor remained II
place.
The hours passed inexorably. Al
most before he could believe II. tn,
whistle screamed. the brakeman
cried "Gilesburg!" and Gideon wa
standing in the aisle. saying goodby,
to Miss Blythe.
So with heart sore and rebellion
he descended into the soft darkness
Of the little town. suitcase In hand
Mechanically he fumbled In his pool
cts for his trunk check.
The engine was taking water. Gle
con walked forward. for one NOR
look at the schoolma'am girl. He
. seat was toward the middle of tn
car on the other side. The platforr
was high. and by standing on tipto
: he could just see her.
: Her head was turned away: chi
on hand. she was looking out into tn
darkness. There was a droop to he
not at all like the young woman VIII
had hidden him a cheerful goodbye
few moments before. Stealthily sh
dabbed her eyes with her handke
chief.
Just then the train started; SO di
Gideon. He rushed up the steps {
the car. treading on the toes of tn
conductor. and nearly knocking owe
the porter. dropped his suitcase l
2 the yestibule. and marched up th
j aisle.
''Bun." he said. quietly. and 81
: down beside her.
!. She turned. with a sudden catcl
!. ing OF breath. There was Joy /
her dewy eyes. Unconsciously sh
4 stretched out her hand and Gideo
r took II In his own.
+ OH" she sighed. with a tremulou
q smile. 1t seemed SO lonesome. b.
Q the train-we're leaving Gilesburl
= Where are you going?-
s With you." he replied. simply.
But" she struggled to releas
/ her hand. You can't" Her eye
B fell on the trunk-check between h
n fingers. your trunks back there
s your orchard! Why. Cid"
' We will come back to them. II
( tie schoolma-am GIRL" he said. -whe
a the honeymoon's over"
: Finishing she LET her hand ia