Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-07-26

asked Eden ROWe cuflOISIy.
Eyes. 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 if | had to learn
it 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 Eben gruff1y.
"Of course I've had dreams of hav-
ing a home some day-getting married
and seeing children around-and I've
always had the idea Of Christmas in
mind whenever l 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" Dellmores bronzed cheek red
dened to q deeper tint than the vivid
sunset.
Same here" repeated Eben Rowe
hoarsely.
Suddenly Dellmore threw out his
hand and laughed recklessly. But
what's the use of talkingT he de.
manded ut all came to nothing"
Same here"
Dellmore turned and faced his COM
panion. do you mean that, Eben,
honest? Or are you joshing me"
"Mean whatT asked the other stead
lily.
"That you've had all those expert
ences too? OF course | know about
your being boy and losing all your
folks same as I did-that's a common
case-but about having dreams of-of-
a home and youngsters and Christ
mas and having it all come to nothing
after all!'
Every word you've said has struck
home to me-" assured Eben Rowe. his
dark eyes on his companions face.
'Tts 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 schooteacher from the east,
insisted Dellmore, as if he were jeal-
Gus of his own modification.
"He was" came Rowe's astonishing
reply. -
They turned startled questioning
eyes upon each other as questions and
answers few fast.
name wasn't Graham?" demanded
Dellmore.
'It was"
Not Abel Graham"
"That's 1t"
Ebep Rowe's handsome face was
bent downward When he spoke his
Jaw was set grimly as II to contro
some emotion that would have sway
Her name was Lucy Farr." he said
between his teeth.
For q 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 ap-
preaching.
"She wasn't to blame" blurted Dell
more suddenly. "She never encouraged
me-
ME neither" agreed Eben Rowe
heavily. "a girl can't help it If cou
pie of cowpunchers get locoed over her
| amt a cowpuncher now. but | was
then-it was down Larrabee way-foul
years ago" he explained.
Delmore brushed 4 huge hand across
his forehead. "It was down Larrabee
way with ME. too. only it was hVe
years ago. When found out she was
engaged to him lit out and came
here"
Same with me, only it happened a
year later. and that's how we happened
TO meet up with each other. Queer
amt IT," Eben Rowe turned to his
partner as they rode through the gate
into the yard.
The other nodded. '"'Tis odd.
s'pose If we'd talked like this before
we'd have known"
Between the partners the matter Of
their mutual love for tie same girl was
not again referred TO. Each had spoken
contdcntAlIy in rare moment cngen
dered by the sunset hour and the rac'
that 1t was Christmas eve. when halo