The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1912-06-13
A Parallel
Case
A Story Where Truth Proves
Stranger Than Fiction
BY AGNES C. BROGAN

The big westerner was evidently
not enjoying his journey. He appear
ed to be possessed of a hunger for hu
man companionship. and after severa
unsuccessful attempts at conversation
with fellow passengers in the smoker
he stepped out on to the observation
platform and stood drawing long
breaths of fresh air. as though the
proximity of the trees along the way
side stlhed him. Then, turning alb
raptly, he entered the car. Its occu.
pants still sat absorbed In their own
affairs rs his towering figure passed
down the aisle. Then as Boynton
sank into his seat his glance fell upon
a girl who sat opposite. He had not
noticed her before. but now his bored
! expression gave way to one Of frank
pleasure as he gazed admlringly into
her charming upturned face.
There was an indefnable air of Joy
BUSINESS about the girl which curved
the corners Of her lips and twinkled
in her laughing eyes. She regarded
the westerner with good humored in
terest for a moment, then returned to
her survey Of the ever changing seen
cry. But to the man her very pres
ence had changed the dreary atmos-
phere like a breath from the sweet.
! wild prairles. He saw as he covertly
watched the girl her unaffected de-
! light In the new surroundings and
was possessed Of a sympathetic desire
to enjoy with her this passing pano.
rama. He longed to tell her of the
wide reaching lands Of his own be-
loved country and the deep purple of
the sky which bordered all. She
would understand. he was very sure.
what it must mean to a man to give
up all this and start life afresh in
distant land among a strange, new
people.
1t was indeed a great honor to be
numbered among the companys stock
holders and to be named as their bust
ness representative in the southern
city toward which he was travelling.
Boynton tossed his magazine aside
and stared gloomily out of the win.
dow. The train would go rushing on
like this, eating up the miles between.
until certain station would be called:
then the girl opposite would arise and
smilingly pass out of his life forever
And she was so dlfferent-oh, so
ideally different!-from any woman he
had ever known.
III you please" said a voice. low
sweet voice may l take your masa
zine for few moments? | would like
to see that story"
Take it," he answered heartily
We'll. l rather guess you can! You
won't care for the story, though" he
added
MOP" The girl smiled up at him
rs 1t such a poor story?"
Poor he exclaimed disgustedly.
Talk of fiction; there's where you get
it, | wonder the magazines publish
Henry Hobbs twaddle. This thing is
one of the worst he has ever done
Couldn't possibly happen and wouldn't
interest any one if it could"
"lndeedY The rising infection in |
the soft voice invited further informa.
ton, and the westerner. swaying un-
steadily with the cars motion, slipped
into the seat at her side.
Yes" he continued, its awful rot.
Couple meet on a railroad train, be-
come acquainted the first mile or two
out. fall in love the second and leave
the car few hours later to procure a
marriage license. Runs like moving
picture. Now, in the first place. what
fellow but an out and out chump
would ask a girl to marry him in that
short space of time, while the girl who
would accept wouldn't be worth ask
ing unless, of course" he added laugh
lnSly. they were both just plain fool
ish"
The girl Joined In his laugh merrily.
Well she said, perhaps they were.
But the Illustration is beautiful, don't
you thinkT' She was examining 1t
Why" BoyntOn exclaimed, at might
be a picture of this very car. The
girl In the rear seat is Alike you, too
small and dark and happy looking
She's a southerner."
His companion nodded. 80 am l."
she said.
A shadow crossed the mans face.
My home has always been in the far
vest" he confided. I'm afraid I'll
ind myself mighty different when
ry to be one of you"
The girls eyes widened From the
ar west" she repeated wonderingly.
oh, | would love to have you tell me
what 1t means to live out therer
With an almost boyish eagerness he
with her request, and their
aughter rang out often as the train
ped on its way. The train came to a
cry sudden stop presently, with much
Of wheels and brakes, and
he westerner broke off in the midst
# an exciting tale to investigate the
ause. He returned soon with an as
uring nod to the girl
Just little sand slide ahead" he
Explained, but we shall be detained ,
n hour or so while they clear the )
racks"
We shall be very late in reaching
ur destination | am going to sleep. :
'ou must not talk to me any more"
he said.
SO The big westerner obeyed. and the {
tTOug lines of hia faca Soffonad into /