The Washington herald., 1915-09-21
DAILY SHORT STORY

Z MY father was a ranger" Sidney
told him. I'm named for him. / was
born in the foyest. so I guess it's nat
ural for me td43eel at nome there ant
j love it best. That's why I wanted to
come up here and teach school. After
he died we went back east to live
and there I saw the ad for a teacher
way out here. and L answered It more
for fun: but I came"
Would you like to stay?" He
| blurted 1t out clumsily, but she did
not seem to understand what lay be-
hind his words. How could she know
that he pictured her living out at the
! ranch. his wife, and all the world
! turned golden. Sidney shook her
, head doubtfully. Perhaps if she could
go back east sometimes. Rita had
told her how tiresome Kapper's Spur
became. If her brother could come
out and take up ranching. then she
would like 1t.
Send for him. I'll take him on with
me-" promised Len
And the next few weeks Kapper's
Spur thrilled at the small drama en-
| acted under its very nose. Big Al
Baxter. fresh from college. with q
half-back record behind him. sense
of humor and plenty Of good inten-
after ranching as If it had been trout
fishing. but also after Rita Henty.
The trouble with you western girls
is that you're trying to be like east
ern girls" he told her fatty. why
don't you drop these latest style flub-
dubs and get into a short skirt and
flannel waist and ride over to see US
with Sid? After we're married, some
day I'm going to teach you how to
enjoy life"
II wouldn't marry you for anything.
Mr.. Baxter. Rita told him teasingly.
We'll. maybe not" and Al easily.
Did you know Len and Sid are en-
gaged?"
Really"
Certain sure" He nodded his head
solemnly. Last night. This big gold
moon Of yours does wonders. I saw
how things were going as soon ass
came west. so ! rather hurried them
up. Told Sid she'd have to go back
with ME: that I didn't like the place.
or Len or the ranch. II you want a
girl to go certain way. you pull
the bride opposite
Rita's brown eyes flashed at the
big. complacent fellow. He was so Sc
renely sure of himself and his power
~ "iH- II was IedTIully SLOW at tHo
Spur. Somehow Miss Henty began to
find interest In teaching the easterner
western ways. She was hospitable to
him and comradely. The captain
liked him. and Rita invited him to
the house often. Sidney would not
be married until spring.
Then I'll be going back east" said
AL Il came west to please Sid. It's
a fearful worry. this having one small
brother on your mind"
1T takes courage and pluck to be
a rancher." Rita told him. with a lit
tie half smile. You're a quitter.
aren't your
mo. I'm not. little girl. 1t takes
more courage. and pluck to buck the
game Of life in the cities against big
odds and prefer the larger range.
This is bully for Len, and Sid likes
IL. too. To you and Cap the Spur ie
the jumping on place Of endeavor and
opportunity. But I'm going back"
'whenr' She almost whispered IL.
Her back was turned from hinf. Not
for worlds would she have let him
see her eyes, filled with tears. after
she had laughed At him and been SO
self-sufficient.
ANY day after the first wind Of
spring blows this way" He looked
at her sideways as he sat on the side
Of the porch The hrst tang Of win
ter was. In the air. II was nearly ..
and q dull orange glow showed along
the edge Of the timber where the
harvest moon was rising. still. it's
some time to watt till spring. I can't
help locking fotwarA though I'm