The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1914-11-19

NA'A1
wonderful. ! feel better already"
Cant You come and spend your va
cation down here" asked Phin eager
ly. They take lady boarders over to
DrayS ranch. They learn 10 ride po-
MES and get brown as berries. You
better come down here, and I'll teach
you to ride
Perhaps l will!' cried Nan. at
sounds very attractive"
Now I've got to 90 back to the
ranch and tell Kceter / must have Il
few days off. l reckon I'll get in Chey-
enne SOME time late tonight"
1t was three months later when Phin
Morris riding down the trail toward
Onderdonk Greek, overlook Maize Fen
wick riding her little calico pony.
Stranger" reprOached Maize, with
"A dazzling smile.
Phin could execute a dazzling smile
us well, and lie proceeded to make
himself agreeable to Miss Fenwick.
He knew that for some reason Peter
Billy was in the bad graces of the
pretty schoolteacher, but Peter Billy
was very reticent about the whole
matter. AS for Phin, he spent many
of his evenings studying books, and
Maize had heard Of it and dreamed
that he was endeavoring to educate
himself to her level
I'm nearly famished," sighed Maize
az tbny- t.rt.TD1 into fhA N
the little town.
Come in and have some ice cream"
invited phin cheeiily.
They went. and MaZic'S blue eyes
cleaned when She saw that Phin Nor
riS' pockethook was not as empty as it
had been in former days. Some one
had whispered the story Of the bed,
ridden uncle who had left a fortune to
the handsome young coWpun her, and
Phin had mounted higher in selfish
Mazies estimation.
Still he wore the same old clothes.
''Phn." said Maize suddenly. drop
ping her hand on his big brown one in
u friendly manner. why don't You
ever come to see ne any morc?"
TOO busy" smiled Phin uncomfort-
ably. Besides Peter Billy's always
had the front seat, You know"
He's Tot sitting on the front seat
now" retortcd Maize, with spirit.
and hes some sore because he fell
off" rejoiued phin.
I'm not to blame for that-really, am
|. now" Maize turned her cornhower
blue eyes upon Phin, and her under
lip trembled.
Time had been when that dcmonstra-
ton would have sent ecStatic ShiverS
up and down Phins spinal column.
Now he shuddercd uncomfortably
thinking what blessing it was that he
had missed marrying Maize Fenwick.
Il am not to blame am l. Phin?"
quavered Maize, with fearful eyes.
I'm not good judge. Peter Billy
knows more about it than | do" said
Phin reluctantly. You see. Maize.
was way back in the thirteenth row
You're only joi,ing.' cried Maize
angrily. Il guess it won't be any
Joke if that white faced nurse over at
Draws goes back to Cheyenne She's
she's my girl said Phin slowly
and Maize hinched at the cold anger
in his voice and the hostility in his
gray eyes. Il reckon we won't talk
about Nan Drew"
Maize said never a word. but she
set her teeth hard and left the store
ut once. BY the time Phin had paid
the bill and had reached the side
walk Maize had mounted her pony
and flown back along the trail toward
home.
Poor, selfish little girl" muttered
Phin uneaSily
On the way home Phin met Peter
Billy riding desperately toward the
town. He was wearing all his gala
attire, and there was glad look in
his black eyes.
lie stopped short at the sight of
Phin
II reckon it won't hurt none # | tell
you that she's sent for me- he cried
eagerly. Il guess that there bunch of
IulIe HIS tDulc true. WON he III
bachelor next year,
You mean Maziet" asked Phin. and
when the other held out his hand
Phin gripped it hard How was Peter
Billy to know that the prize he dream
ed he was getting was merely Il poor
tinseled package stuffed with saw
dust?
So Peter Billy went joyfully on his
way, and Phin turned into the trail
that led to Dray's farm, where Nan
Drew had been spending many happy
months.
He met her Oh the trail. She was
riding a cream colored pony and look
ing bewtching in her brown riding
dress. with wide brimmcd hat on
her golden brown hair, She had grown
plump and rosy, and a golden tan Gov
cred her face and hands.
shes my golden girl whispered
Phin, and then he felt suddenly scar
ed at something he had to confess to
Nan Drew.
Come with me to Little Green can
you; | got something to say to YOU
said Phin seriously, so they rode there
almost in silence.
And yyban tbn,- Ionl-nI J,,,., -, a.,