The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1911-01-14

tng with pen. ana wear good clothes.
Roger had left her at that moment
without even . soodby. and be bad
never seen her since. Now no felt
small and mean In her presence. What
was be but hanger-on In the city.
one whose place could b. better Oiled
BY q thousand waiting men1
A company Of mounted men passed
them. the horses curvetting dangerous
~ close to the crowded curbstones.
The spectators pressed back, and In
stinctively Roger flung his arm about
Amy and pressed her close to him.
She must have felt the heavy throb-
bling Of bis heart. for her own heart
beneath his hand 6uttered wildly a.
be held her. Susie giggied hysterically
and darted backward ~ = heavy black
charger clattered up ON the sidewalk.
Roger gathered Amy in his arms and
fell back. When the horse had return
ed to the street the crowd swept for
ward once more. and Roger released
Amy and faced her alone ON q deserted
doorstep.
THANK you." she painted softly.
That's all right" muttered Roger
They stood In silence for awhile. and
At last Roger turned suddenly upon the
girl. who stood looking out ON the street
with unseeing, troubled eyes.
"You remember that last night be-
fore came to the city. Amy. two years
ago?" demanded Roger.
She flushed and nodded.
you're right. I'm everything you
called me that night" he declared saw.
agely.
"Fve been sorry that l said It" she
murmured contritely.
ats all true. every word. only, I'm
bigger fool than you could believed"
ais tone was bitter, and bis handsome
frown.
"How long have you realized it1
asked Amy demurely.
After the flrst month-one year and
eleven months" said Roger dryly.
"Oh. Roger! How COULD you stand
1t then? You must have suffered. II
took lots Of grit to stay here when you
wers longing for home. could never
have done IT,
ut wasn't grit. Amy; 1t was pride.
I hate to give In"
give in?' repeated Amy. "You
don't call that giving in. do you? Isn't
1t one step on the road to success
when one ands out they've made
mistake? Susie IL looking for Us. Let
us 80 to her,"
The dalrymen from our county are
comingr' squealed Susie excitedly.
"Now. Roger. I'll bet you're too proud
and citi0ed to remember some Of the
country boys!'
Tim country boy myself" return
Cd Roger. with sudden decision In his
tone. watch me and ses bow proud
I amir
Tho organisatiou Of dairymsn swept
down the street. 6ps body Of white
clad men. broussd faces and hands
driving before them q half dozen beau
ttful Jersey cows.
All at once Roger raised bis hat to
the two girls from home and stepped
down into the street, falling into line
with the dairymen. marching shoulder
to shoulder with q man from home.
This u where beiongr' be called
back heartily ~ he passed down the
street.
Late the next afternoon Roger left
the train at Riverside. His trunk
might remain until another day.
He crossed the road, slipping through
the woods. stepping Into well remen-
bered wood roads. following them to
some half defined trail that made
short cut to the farmhouse.
At the clearing he paused for an in
slant and looked forth over the rolling
acres. He noticed with q guilty pang
that the i've acre cornHeld had been
given over to weeds. The hay had not
been cut In the meadows and lay dat
and tangled.
Z He had learned that his father had
reduced his herd Of cows to ten-ail he
could care for now with help 10 scarce.
Roger saw them. gathered about the
brook. ten Holsteins. their black and
white bodies glistening In the setting
sun.
There came long coll from the up
per pasture. and Rogers heart throb-
bed achingly. 1t was his father calling
the cows. In the old days 1t had been
his task to drive them home.
The cows were stringing leisurely up
the slope in response to the call. Roger
cut 4 long alder switch. slipped Oh bis
shoes and stockings. rolled up his
trousers knee high. tossed his hat in
heap with his coat and vest and dash
ed after the herd.
The bell Of the leader tinkled far
ahead. aud the trailers paused and
turned wondering. mild eyes on the
overgrowu boy with rumpled hair and
happy face trudging behind them. He
whiried his switch and they numbered
forward.
Az they neared the barnyard gate
Rogers heart raced madly. He heard
hin fAthnrsa vnicA uffoFlu1 \ vOFs1 IN