Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-12-09
OEN BRECKENRIDGE ELLIS

that's where you've been. Just look
at yourself! Amt you always careful
in making your steps as if scared Of
breaking something? And now you're
out of breath!
II used to think she might be foolish
about Wilfred Compton, but Lahoma,
she amt foolish about nothing. New
%ertheless, Bill, it amt right. Settlers
is settlers, and what she yearns for is
the big world"
Just SO. But see how Greer county
is getting settled up. That's what's
going to ave US, Brick. Civilization
is coming to Lahoma. She won't have
to go out cunning after it."
"Of course I've thought of that. l
amt got your grammar, but my mind
don't have to wait to let in an idea
after it's put it's clothes on. OF course
civilization is a-creeping up to the
mountain, aud / reckon by the time
Lahoma is my age it'll be playing an
organ in church. But she's at the age
that calls for quick work. She's got
the rest Of her life to settle down in.
Most all of a PERSONS life is spent in
settling, and it's BETTING to lay in the
foundation aforetime."
DO you want Lahoma to have a low
! er, Brick?"
"Bill, if he is fit l say she ought to
have Il chance"
manw
I'm going to help Lahoma find him.
I'm like you, Bill. l hates that lover
like q snake this minute, though 1 amt
no idea who, where or what he is or
may be. I hates him, but I amt going
low to meet civilization halfway.
There it is-look!'
Wilcox stood erect and pointed to-
ward the plain, where perhaps twenty
tents had been pitched within the last
two weeks. Bill gave an unwilling
glance, shrugged his shoulders disdain-
fully and resumed progress.
Wilcox continued: 1.-Two weeks g
there wasn't nothing there but naked
sand. Now there's three saloons, a
hardware store, a grocery, a bank-all
of 'em under ~canvas-and the makines
of a regular town. Right out there in
the broiling sun! Carloads Of lumber
and machinery is on it's way, and the
stagecoach will be putting off mail
there before long. That's how civiliza-
ton is ~a-secking out our little gal.
But means to meet it halfway. Yes,
sir, | means to meet civilization half
way. I've already been prospecting.
There's q party owe there in Tent City
that's come on from Chicago just from
the lust Of seeing pioneer life at first
hand, people that haven't no idee of
buying or settling. It's Il picnic to
them. They're camping out, watching
life de%velop-and what's life and death
ment to them. That there's q test of
people high up. Real folks in the big
world don't do nothing; it takes all
their time just being folks"
"They won't invite Lahoma to Chi
cago, not if they are the right sort"
'They will invite Lahoma to Chi
cago," retorted Wilcox firmly, land
they are the right sort. Wait and see,
and when you have saw render due
honor to your Uncle Brick"
"Pardner, l sure am glad to see you
put 'er there again. How are you
feeling, anyhow? Look mighty tough
and wiry, I do say. Here, Bill" Will
lock raised his voice to q powerful
shout. Bill, come and see what's
blowed in with the tumbleweed and
tickle grass
The tall bronZed man who was lead
ing his horse along the road entering
the mountain horseshoe smiled with a
touch of gravity in the light Of his gray
eyes. Only twenty-five or twenty-siX,
his features were still touched with the
last lingering mobility Of youth, but
the set Of his mouth and the. CLEAN of
his eyes limited at years Of battle
against storms, droughts and 1oneli-
ness. He was already a veteran Of the
prairie despite his youth.
Everything looks very natural"
murmured Wilfred Compton, gazing
oDouI oA IL foSoAuCu Willis VI Sldll1Ic
in whose crev1ces the bright cedars
Knocked at winters threatening hand.
Eyes, mountains is lots more natural
than humans. They just sets there Sc
rene and Indifferent, not caring wheth-
er you likes their looks or not, and
they let 'er blow and let 'er snow: it's
all n to them. Wilfred, If you know
ed how glad l am to see you again
you'd be sort OF scared, 1 reckon, think
Ing you'd fell amongst cannibals. Won
der where that aged trapper isT" He
shouted more Justify, and IL bristling
white head suddenly appeared on the
summit of Turtle hill.
Great Scott!" yelled Bill Atkins,
glaring down upon the approaching
figure, "if it amt Wilfrcd Compton
again! Come on. come on! was new
er M glad to see anybody In all my
life!"
The young man looked at Wilcox
somewhat dubi0usly. Hes very much