The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1914-08-19
LY ERECT.

Wilfred eagerly agreed, and
Lahoma continued thoughtfully.
Il want to ask you all about your
self because l can see that you're
a real sample of the big world. If
tell you all about myself, will
you do the same?"
Wilfred promised and Lahoma
entered on the history of her
childhood.
She told the story in the min
utest detail-of how Bill Atkins
came to live with them, and of the
building of her own little cabin.
And then." she continued, "the
most wonderful thing happened
family settled in the arm of the
mountain at the west end-a
family that had a woman and a
baby in it-a sure-enough woman
with a sweet face. And that's
how l got to be like a woman,
and know how to dress. For
three years I had the mother and
her baby to show me how to be
woman. Then came the soldiers.
Brick thinks a big cattle-king
stood in with Congress, and he
got the soldiers sent here to drive
out all the settlers because they
were beginning to farm the land
instead of letting it grow wild for
the cattle. Anyway, all the set
tiers were driven out of the coun-
try-and it's been four years since
1 lost my only friends in the
world-except Brick and Bill"
But they didn't drive you
out" Wilfred remarked inquir-
ingly.
You see." Brick explained
simply, I'VE didn't want to go"
So that's about ALL" Lahoma
went on. TT nearly broke Mrs.
Featherby's heart to have to
leave. Why did you come out
here? Mrs. Featherby came be-
cause the family was awful poor.
is that why you left the big
world?"
Wilfred shook his head. I'm
poor enough" he said, but
it wasn't that. II was a girl"
Brick Wilcox explained, Hes
got a sweetheart; he's been car
rying her letters for about two
years"
Lahoma looked at him in
breathless interest. "A girl out
in the big world? Completely
civilized, | reckon! Was she as
old as | ann"
Wilfred laughed. MY eastern
girl is at least nineteen years old,
and so thoroughly civilized that
she thinks this part of the world
is still Noverrun with Indians and
buffaloes. She wouldn't live out
here for a fortune, and she
wouldn't marry a man Jack East
without one - that's why I'm
here. I didn't have the fortune.
BY this time she found some
one with property, I dare say"
Does 1t pierce your heart to
think of her marrying somebody
else?" Lahoma's voice was sweet
with the decomposition of a
young girl.
when left home, I flung my
self into the life of a cow-puncher
and did all I could to keep from
thinking. That's what I've
avoided-sitting down to think
about IL. But l believe I could
sit down and think about it now,
pretty calmly"
Then that's what ia do. I'd
just face it. Maybe l could help
you," Lahoma suggested earnest
~. when Mrs. Featherby lived
near, asked her all about such
cases and got her advice. You
keep your mind occupied-that
is a great thing. II you come to
the cove to visit us, we will try
to occupy your mind-won't we
Brick and Bill?"
Bill looked at Wilfred glumly.
IT'S too occupied now, I'm
afraid"
Wilfred rose hastily. ct should
like dearly to come and come
often" he exclaimed. but I
couldn't force myself where I'm
not wanted"
He held out his hand to La
homa, who had risen swiftly at
these signs of departure.
She held his hand beseeehingly.
But you'll come again. wonI
your When I hold your hand,
It's like grabbing at a bit OF the
big world"