Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1915-08-18

BIZ was prevented at the moment
from pursuing this line OF inquiry by
the discovery Of q couple Of horsemen
racing from a distant ranch toward the
road. 1t was plain. even to the stran'
ger. that they intended to intercept the
stage. and Bill piled the lash with
sudden vigor.. i
III give 'em chase" said be
grimly. =.
The other appeared a little alarmed.
'sWhat are they. bandits?": :.
"Bandits!rv sneered Bill. your eye.
sight Is piercing. fThem's girls"
The traveller ,apologized. my eyes
aren't very good" he said hurriedly.s
He was however. quite Justified III
his mistake. for both riders wore wide
trimmed, sombreros and rode astride at
furious pace. bundanus fiuttering'
skirts streaming. and one was calling
in shrill command. "Oh. Bill"
AS they neared the gate the driver
drew up with word OF surprise
why. howdy, girls? Howdy?" he said,
with an assumption Of Innocence
"Were you wishin' fer to speak to meT'
"Oh, shut up!'' commanded one OF
the girls. a round faced. freckled romp.
You know perfectly we'll that Berrte
is going home today. We told you oil
about it yesterday"
Sure thing!" exclaimed Bill. "ld
forgot all about it."
Like nothin'!' exclaimed the maid.
you've been countin' the, hours TIL
YOU got here. l know you."F>3}
Meanwhile her companion had slip
ned from her horse: We'll. goodby,
Molly. Wish could stay longer!
"Goodby. Run down again"
II will. You come up"
The eyoung passenger sprang 10 tne
ground and politely said: MAY help
you INF"
Bill stared. the girl smiled. and her
companion called: BE careful. Berr1e'
don't hurt yourself. the wagon might
pitch i. H.. IL, ~. 49,. *. W.T..
4 The youth, perceiving that he had
made another mistake. stnmli1ered an
apology.
IS The girl perceived his embarrass-
:ment and sweetly accepted his hand
II am much obliged. all the same"
Bill shook with malicious laughter.
"Out in the country girls are war
ranted to jump clean over ~ measiy
little hack like this" he explained. ~,
The girl took seat In the back cor
ner Of the dusty vehicle. and Bill open
ed conversation with her by asking
what kind Of time she had been hav-
ing Tin the east" Il ~ ~
Fine. said she. :| - :,
\ did ye get as far back as. my old
town" -..5t .s.....s H.. In IS '
What town is that. Bnl?'
"Oh. come OF! You know I'm from
Omaha
mo: / only got as far as South
Bend" 500: - ~: - :.
The picture which the girl had made
as she dashed up to the pasture gate
her hat rim blown away. from her
brown face and sparkling eyes-77united
with the kindliness in her voice Us she
accepted his gallant aid, entered deep
impression on the tourists mind. but
he did not turn his head to look at her
perhaps he feared Bills elbow quite
us much as his guffaw-but he listened
closely, and by listening learned that
she had been least" for several weeks.
and also that she was known. and ia.
vorably known. all along the line. for
whenever they met team or passed
q ranch some one called out. Hello.
Berrie!' in cordial salute. and the men.
old and young. were especially pleased
to see her. -
Meanwhile the stage rose and fell
over the gigantic swells like tiny boat
on a monster sea. while the sun blazed
ever more fervently from the splendid
sky. and the hills glowed with ever
increasing tumult Of color. Through
this land Of color. of repose. Of ro-
nance. the young Traveller rode. drink
ing deep Of the germless air. feeling
that the girl behind him was won
drous part Of this wild and unaccount.
Sable country.
He had no chance to study her face
again till the coach rolled down the
hill to ,''Yancy's." IL ranch house. where
they were to take diuner and change
horses. ~. a..
With intent to show Bill that be. did
what kind of place is it?'
every charming. You'll like it. Doal
mountain country" r..
This officer was a plain featured
man Of about thirty-dve, with keen
and clear eyes. His voice. though
strongly nasal. possessed a note Of
manly sincerity. As he studied his
visitor he smiled.
You look brand new. Haven't had
time to season check. have you?"
NO. I'm a stranger in a strange
land" 800 > i.
Out for your health?"
Yes. My name is Norcross. I'm
just getting over a severe illness. and
I'm up here to lay around and fish and
recuperate-if l can"
You can-you will. You can't help
it, the other assured him. Join one
Of our surveying. crews for week and
III mellow that suit Of yours and make
u real mountainecr Of you. 1 see you
wear Sigma Chi pin. What was
your schooi?'. ....
81 am u .son of Eli Last years
class" -'r