The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1916-02-03

What had become Of the. under
ground river? Had some CONFUSION
of nature diverted its course, in anoth-
or direction?
When Lonsdale came tramping down
the hillside, strange light Of enthusi-
asm in his brown eyes, Eve Piled him
with questions, but he was oddly nom
eommfttal.
I'm fortnight at the farthest,'' he
said evasiyely. "Give me chance,
Miss Temple.
Eve said no, more, and during the
weeks that followed she let him alone.
He would disappear for days at s
time, to return stern and preoccupied
Always he wore khaki, but now it was
usually fresh and clean.
Cousin Hannah reported that in the
bunk house she could not find parti-
Gle Of wearing apparel or personal be-
longings
81 don't believe the man sleeps there.
Pm afraid of him, Eve. want to go
back home. Can't you sell the ranch
for the price Of our tickets? You can
easily get another school. and will
take Notwithstanding to get away
from this God forsaken sand patch!"
If Mr.. Lonsdale's scheme fails we
will go, DEAR" Eve assured her.
TITS bound to fail. Eve. No one but
the good Lord should interfere with
his works. II the ranch were paying,
and we could have some help around
no MI
going on, and could have flower
garden, I'd be contented," she said en-
ergetically.
Come, dig your flower beds. Mrs.
Fox said Lonsdale's quiet voice
Hidden Water has come back. and
you will have to change the name of
Dry creek. Come down and see.''S
1ncredulous. the two women followed
him to the creek. Their ears heard the
welcome sound of rushing water, and
they beheld the marvellous sight of the
trimming creek shaking among the
hills and across the plain.
+ In her minds eye Eve saw the green
grass on her hills. cattle and sheep
dotting the ranges. Prosperity had
come to the ranch with the return Of
the Hidden Water.
She turned to Lonsdale
oh. how can ever repay your she
breathed gratefully.
: The look in his eyes told her there
was only one way be wished to be
repaid. but he put her grateful words
aside and gave her wise advice about
the management of the ranch. She
would need a good foreman He rec
commended Dial Johnson. an expert
enced and trustworthy cattleman. ..Dal
will pick out the right men to help
you,' he assured her
f but you-won't you stay?" she
asked.
I'm sorry, but I'm going back east
he said.
All the gladness went out of Ewes
face. Suddenly the lure of the south
west left her cold and lonely. She
checked herself angrily. What is the
matter with me?" she asked. and her
heart answered:
You love him-this unknown man!h
Thereafter Eve. self conscious and
miserable. steeled herself against be-
traying her heart to the stranger who
had won it.
In day or two Lonsdale babe them
goodby and dropped out of their lives.
Those were busy days at Hidden Wa
ter. Dial Johnson was a hustler. and
under his sway the dream of Ewes life
came true. Cattle and sheep dotted
10
garden bloomed. and the music of the !
rushing creek sounded day and night.
Eve grew to hate the sound of the
water. Always it seemed to say.
Where is John Lonsdale-where is
hep
One day Eve found courage to ask
Dial Johnson about Lonsdale. Where
did he go?" she asked
Went back to his pa in New York
You know. his pa is a big gun in Wall
street. and he told John to come west
and see what he could do for himself
Sort of trying him out, you know.
Well he came to Cactus county
and bought the next ranch to this. and
1t looked like he'd bought gold brick
AL dry and sandy. And one day
when he was plumb discouraged and
about to write home and tell his pa
he'd made mess of 1t and begging for
tickets home and stool in the Office;
why. one day be found that Hidden
Water had burst through the sand on
his PLACE. and. well. he came into his
own then
. But as soon as he found it had been
diverted from your place. a woman's
undertaking. you know, why. hang It
all, the fool just plugged up the stream
on his place It took weeks to dot ).
aud SO the Hidden Water came back
to you. s5ss
OH. cried Eve sharply. And SO
Mr.. Lonsdale'' Her voice broke.
80 Mr. Lonsdale is man. He's gone
back to ten his pa that hes failed and
to sit on that stool when his whole
hearts longing for the open country
Johnson. spoke regretfull
Before night message was flashing
qornSo tho 8c0nnfrr. ~ gSTnl,,, a L.