Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1913-12-11
By clAR1ssA MACKIE


The trail to Red Spider postofice was
q dusty streak of white twisting
through the purple sagebrush.
Tony Golf and Bert Reid yanked
their horses aside as the schoolma'am
came flying up the trail on her little
lack pony.
There amt u fire nowheres?" called
Tony loosely as she swept past them.
"No," she laughed. I'm just out for
a breath of fresh air"
"Jes1 like u oma t go tearing
around losing her breath SOS to get a
fresh BREATH" unused Tony as they
watched her graceful, receding form.
YES" agreed Bert.
Tony looked at him narrowly.
You and Miss Nan Laren amt 81
chummy as you was." he said bluntly.
mot so you'd notice It," growled
Bert.
$50 she handed you yours, eh? Jest
as sweetly as she handed me mine and
Mason Pepper his. Well. when l get
to housekeeping I'm not going to put
out a sign Beware of the Dog My
signs going to read, Beware Of the
Schoolma'ams!'"
We're going to have rain,,'' remark
ed Bert.
You can change a subject most deli
cately, Bert. Speaking of schoolma'ams
makes me weep: weeping makes me-
think Of tears; tears are like. rain,
hence and therefore it looks like rain!
Tony threw back his head and laughed
%mirthfully, and Bert Joined him with q
rueful glance.
.She wouldn't even let me ask her."
he conlded suddenly. "She seems mad
about something"
"Mebbe she Just can't stand seeing
you around. on general principles"
chuckled Tony, with a glance at Bert's
handsome, moody countenance.
THAT sounds likely. Well. you fel-
lows can count me out of the game.
There's Dan Cox. I've got to see him
a minute, Tony" Bert dashed ahead
to intercept the postmaster at Red
l SEAAShS WLAIC AOuy rHOn pullGu IL
horse to a standstill and mused thought
fully.
Suddenly he wheeled the animal
about and dashed back along the trait
in pursuit Of Nan Laren.
He was surprised to find that young
lady sitting shoulder high in the purple
sage, looking mournfully at the setting
sun.
The schoolma'am turned around. and
Tony saw a look of bitter disappoint
ment sweep her fair face.
"Oh, it's you, Mr.. Goff,' she said in
a constrained tone.
Its only me-" admitted Tony in a
thrilling tone. Somehow nobody eve,
wants me. Now. if it had been Bert
Reid The pause was eloquent.
Il hate him.' said Nan Laren coolly
Tony smiled wisely. She's SURE
gone on him." he told himself.
He certainly is no account he
agreed cheerfully.
What do you mean?" she asked
quickly.
"Oh, l mean he's just the kind of d
man any one would naturally hate. He
amt got a winning way with him"
Nan was silent. Again she turned to
the sunset. Tony Golf winked at his
pony.
well, 1 must be humping along il
I'm going to the dance at Red Spider
don't reckon we'll see you there, Miss
Nan?"
Hardly" returned Nan coolly.
Pm sorry. l expect there's plenty
Others will miss you. too" said Tony
regretfully.
I'm tired of dancing" yawned Nan
with a successful air of boredom. II
had planned to ride over to the Water
Drop tonight and see if l couldn't get
a photograph Of it by moonlight"
Over to the Water Drop alone?'
shrieked Tony. surprised.
Certainly. Pm not afraid.'
Miss I-aren. please don't go. or if
you insist upon going let me go along.
I'll keep in the background. hut you
hadn't ought to go alone.'
Nan arose to her graceful height and
shook back her sunny hair.
THANK you so much. Mr.. Goff." she
said sweetly. "bn ~I'aaanot in the least
afraid. In fact. l prefer to be alone"
Ouch" WINGED Tony. turning his
pony's head toward home.
Don't mind my being hateful" she
said with ii Sudden quaver in her voice.
II don't mind. Pm used to being
trod upon. That's what worms are
Tor" grinned the volatile Tony. wav
ing his hat in farewell.
I'm sorr,v" her voice foated re
sretfulIy after him. and when after n
little he turned and looked at her her
face was buried in the soft BLACK.
name of her surprised pony.
Gosh. l do believe they've quarrel
ed" mused Tony as he went pounding
homeward.
After supper he found Bert Reid
making his toilet upstairs in the room
they shared together. AS Bert knotted