Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1915-12-30
CHAPTER VIII.

One day soon after the men returned
with word of the RATS safe delivery
into the hands Of Captain Graftz, San
dry, working over his books in the lit.
tie office, heard strange voice with.
out
oh, no." 1t was saying in fresh,
sweet accepts-and the very tone said
East-"You need not wait. I'm going
TO stay. II this is the Office or head
quarters of this place, I'll find whoever
Is in charge. Just put my trunk ON
that pile of timber. Be careful! Oh,
do be careful That case contains my
typewriter, and it's more precious than
gold! There-that's right. Now,
what do owe you?"
There was an answer and the clink
OF money, and Sandry rose just as the
office door opened 1t was the East
that confronted him, Fifth avenue it.
self. the whole inimitable metropolis
refined into one woman.
Il must beg a thousand pardons."
she said. her clear blue eyes raised to
his face. land lot of indulgence |
want to be taken in. Do you think any
one In this delightful place will do
it?"
"The whole camp will fight for the
privilege" promised Sandry rashly,
falling in instantly with her bantering
tone and responding to the frankness
OF her smile. He watched her sit down
gracefully in the chair that he hurried
~ pulled forward. With the first
glimpse of her the old nostalgia had
returned upon him and his heart clam
Ored for home.
"You are from New York." he said
simply.
YES. And suppose must explain
at once. You westerners are so insist
emit on reasons. My name is Poppy
Ordway-and am of that unfortunate
and much criticized species, the wom-
an with life work."
The smile she turned upon him was
electric, full Of that heady quality
which Is distinctive of the vital wom-
an. the woman of strong and excitable
passions; it appealed to Sandry in.
stantly, so that thrill of gladness ran
through him to his very finger tips.
Il have written a few short stories
which have been we'll received in the
eastern magazines, but they fail to sat
isfy me. have my first novel drafted,
and 1t is over there on your lumber
pile along with my precious type
writer. 1t is tale of the lumber re-
giOn-and I've come out to work on
the ground. Do you think l can find
sanctuary"
"We'n see that you do" said San
dry pleasantly, land you couldn't have
struck better spot for local color any
where in the Northwest. We are ele-
mental here, right down to the print
tive. and we are swamped with at
mosphere.' You just come along to
Ma Daily" he promised, already using
the tone of hail-fellow which their
common nativity and her frank man.
ner had established between them.
Hungrily he watched her gather ur
her skirts and precede him up the lit
tie path to the cook-shack. where Ma
Daily was already standing in the dool
to take inventory. Every little move
ment was 80 familiar. so potent in It'll
suggestion of home.
Chatting lightly. the stranger step
ped up ON the porch and smiled at tn,
white-haired old woman
ma Daily" said Sandry-he hal
long since lost the sense of resentmen
at the family atmosphere of the cam
--"this is Miss Ordway of New York
q famous author-and she has com
West to write a new book. Luckil
she struck US in her search for loca
color. Can we take her in?"
Ma Daily looked at the visitor sharI
ly and Sandry saw scarce perceptibl
change pass over her CHEEKY features
The vital blue eyes Of the younge
woman gave back the scrutiny wit
perfect openness
please do, Mrs. Daily" she said 1
her sweet voice. please. please do.
Don't know" said Ma slowly
r'there amt any room"
IN abdicate," put in Sandry quicl
ly; "she may have my room and l.
put up cot in the Office"
Just at that moment Siletz came
at the west door and, crossing tn
big room, stood looking out upon tn
group on the porch. Her dark eye
rested first with fleeting glance o
Gandry and then she saw the othe
She did not speak but leaned againi
the door-jamb drinking in this app
rition. In the little pause that fe
presently she turned to the old lad,
Yes, mother" she said softll
s'plsass do