The Washburn leader., 1916-06-30

t."
Myra was interrupted by the post
mans ring, and, having unburdened
herself of all she had come laden with
and uselessly exerted all her ingenu-
ity to extract an invitation to dine,
she made her adieus and departed.
Il wish," said Mrs. Trent wearily.
that Myra would stay away"
"Oh. don't listen to her silly gos.
sip, mother" laughed Charleen.
Its not all talk, dear can feel
the Crawfords disapproval in the air.
Mrs. Crawford has no time for parties
or theaters or anything more frivol-
Gus than her clubs. And Mr.. Craw-
ford told your father he thought card
players worse than inebriates.'
And their son." added Charleen,
thinks your daughter is foolish
creature too silly to notice because
she dances and goes to parties. That
is the real trouble. Isn't it, mother?"
But in spite of her outward indif-
ference. Charleen was piqued at the
treatment of John Crawford, the more
80, perhaps, because she was accus-
toned to homage from all men. She
might have been any one of dozen
Mrs Soand-Sos in town, but instead
she had chosen to give her life to
more serious profession even than
matrimony. She had, in fact, spent
three years in training in a city hos.
~pital, and Charleen's gayety and beau
ty had never deserted her while dis
charging her duties as nurse.
The Crawfords had moved into town
just after Charleen's arrival and in
the midst of all the dances and parties
In her honor.
So Charleen had danced and dined,
ridden horseback and notored, and
was generally happy-except for John
Crawford! She had met him twice
once at q lecture. again at dinner.
He was very handsome, it was con-
ceded, and gossip had it that the
Crawfords were rich.
Charleen, dressing for dinner, and,
incidentally, dance later, was enjoy
Ing the late afternoon sky through her
curtain when she saw man ride up
to the Crawfords, dismount and hitch
the horse to tree. A moment later,
John Crawford in riding clothes came
out, mounted and trotted of.
II wonder why the liveryman sent
him Grim1he has such nasty TEN.
per. don't believe my neighbor
knows that. think it's wicked for
Mr.. Smollett to send him Grim. It's
lovely evening to ride.
She put the forms back into her
slippers, pulled out her riding boots
and clothes and took up tie telephone
On her table.
In ten minutes, she was ready for
ner ride and Tinkle, her favorite little
mare. was at the door, Then she
mounted and galloped toward the sun
set
Half q mile out of town, where the
road forked, she turned to the right.
Finally she came upon him sitting
upon q stone in the narrow road,
Grim tied to a sapling projecting out
Of the bank above. When John saw
her he removed his pipe and lifted
his hat.
Its lovely evening" isn't it," she
shivered sweetly, realizing with grow.
ing confusion that she had really no
Bxcuse for talking to him at all and
that he would think. of course, that
she had followed him. deliberately
seeking his society.
Lovely" he reiterated courteously,
but gravely. This is my first trip
up here, and I was rather startled by
the grandeur of the scenery, so de.
cided to dismount and enjoy the soli-
tude."
Charleen felt the implied sugges-
ton, and it cut like steel. She had
never before had the experience of
being told by man that he preferred
being alone. Her face famed, but she
managed to smile. I'm sorry l dis
turbed your little party, Mr.. Crawford.
They say fools rush in where angels
fear to tread. Don't stay too late,
though. The roads bad after dark
and Grim is treacherous. Even fool
can give good advice sometimes.
Good evening"" She was of down the
road.
Later she stopped at the Cowbray
cottage to inquire for a sick child. she
told herself, but really to see II John
Crawford would ride safely past.
After half hour he had not come, 20
With an anxiety she could not con.
ceal. she remounted Tinkle and rode
hack up the hill in the semidarkness.
She found him lying unconscious
and h2eeding close to the edge Of the
road. short distance from where
she had left him. Grim was. gone,
either over the edge or back home the
other way. She did what she could
with bandages and deft, experienced
fingers.
Six months from that day they BE-
, came man and wife.
copyright, 1916. by the Mcclure Newsps