Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1911-11-02
THIJRMONT FREDERICK COUNTY, MD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER

'IHtk ShHueTSol lobkeu al utT Will
Gravely watchful eyes Il don't intend
you shall 90 to the Bar Cross" he an
nounced gently.
"What|' gasped the girl. half rising
to her feet. what do you mean?"
. ~ mean you've made a mistake to
come here That advertisement must
have misled you, and | want to say
here that it's shaken my faith In wO-
men to see a girl like you coming here,
and following up that advertisement"
what il the matter with the adver-
tisement?" she demanded haughtily.
count for my actionS?"
I'm Sanderson-Jnck Sandcrson."
he said reluctantly Il didn't put the
advertisement in the paper 1t was
Heavy. Blame the fool. he's always
up to some cursed trick or other. |
didn't get your letter till last night"
The girls face Whitened to the color
of her shirt waist. and she SteaGird
herself with slender hand laid
against the back Of the seat. Her
pale lips parted. "The advertisement
was Il joke-do | understand thatT
Sanderson nodded.
Without another word the pretty
dropping head was hidden in the slen
der hands. and she was sobbing bit
terly.
II wish could help you out" stam-
mered Jack uneasily. fighting back the
strange longing that asSailed him.
longing to gather her into the strong
arms that had never caressed any girl.
Cant you 90 back again?'
She shook her head IL spent nearly
every cent to come here. 1t meant SO
much to me. and now
Sanderson braced his shoulders and
prepared to lift the burden that Harry
Heavy had provided for his shoulders.
Don't you cry, Miss TimSOn. As
soon rs Nixon comes back We'll take
the next train down to Dead Level
and get married r.
Married" shrieked the girl, spring
ing away from his friendly tou h.
"W'hct do you mean? Are you crazy?
Why do you call me TimSon?"
"Isn't that your name?" Sandernon
stared hen' 'ess!y from her to the open
letter in his hand.
"Merry. no! I'm Evelyn Fenner.
never heard Of Miss Timson." She
stared curiously at Sandersons bewil.
dered cOun enance. and n look of hope
crept into her brown eyes. "lf you've
made mistake perhaps the adver-
tisement is all right after ALL"
What advertisement?
"AIr Cross OF the Bar Cross ranch
advertised for a young woman to act
as mothers helper to his wife and
children, and have corresponded
with them about the situation and
have just arrived to I'll it. | forgot
to wire Mr. Cross Just when I'd be
here | cant go back. You see. I've
n stepmother and nobody else in the
world, and as haven't been very we'll
thought II lived out here ! might
get well and strong again. Is the ad-
vertisement genuine or notf"
~ guess 1t is" said Sanderson
sheepishly. II was expecting some
body else on the train. | might as
we'll tell you about 1t so you'll under
stand why spoke to you In that way.
It's all Heavy's fault though" He
gave her the letter and watched her
dimpling face as she read the lines.
"What were you going to do with
that foolish young woman" she asked
curiously
81 was going to lecture her and send
her back to Dead Level" admitted
Sanderson. "but she didn't come"
I'm glad she didn't" said the girl
earnestly II like to think she thought
better of it. after all. Dou't you"
He nodded gravely, and them, look
ing anxiously from the window, he
said: 81 reckon you're not expected to-
day. and you've got to get to the ranch
before sunset. Suppose you ride my
horse and I'll step along at the stirrup.
| don't mind it-sure. don't"
Every well. And they can send for
my things afterward. Here comes the
agent He's just In time, for there's a
message ticking inside"
Nixon painted into the building and
instantly reappeared. waving yellow
paper
Telegram for you. Sanderson" he
yelled.
1t was from Annie TimSon. and 1t
conveyed to the embarrassed Mr.. Sam
derson that she had investigated and
discovered that he was only cow
puncher instead Of the cattle owner she
had imagined. Consequently the ro-
nance was declared of, and she had
resumed her duties In the Palace res
taumnt.
Mutely Sanderson gave the message
to Miss Fenner. and together they
smiled over the closed incident. Jack
trudged contentedly at her stirrup
while Miss Fenner made delightful
plans for long rides across the plains
after she had learned to ride Jack
was positive that Mr.. Cross would So
lect him as a riding teacher, although
he said nothing to that effect. The In.
cident at the station and the long
journey across the prairie had broke0
ground for more intimate acquaint'
ance. and 1t was a triumphant COW
puncher that finally led Miss Fenner's
horse up to the broad veranda Of the
ranch house. where the family awaited
her arrival
As Jack lifted her carefully down
she said to him with an anxious into
nation that thrilled him through,