The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1916-06-23
''There. there. wen talk of that


subject to which Joanna had given no
thought he sighed.
II fear you do not take existence Sc
riously enough, Joanna. You are twen-
ty-two. You should have formulated
some notion Of what you wish to do to
leave the world better place than
you found It,"
"Oh. dare say I'll get married some
day." said Joanna casually. Are there
any amusing men in town.
"Amusingw gasped Mrs. Baxter.
"Amusingw Numbered Mr.. Baxter.
Having thus precipitated the catas-
trophe. Joanna learned In three min
utes that she was designed, In default
Of any nobler choice on her own part,
as a helpmeet for the Rev. Lemuel
Towers of Lucknow. India.
HE Is at home on the first visit In
eight years." said her father. HE is
his estimable first wife is no more. In
the mission field a man needs a wife.
He has been-er-impressed with your
pictures and-er-what we have told
him Of your true character. He once
met your sister Cornelia. He wishes
an opportunity to win your-regard."
Joanna had recovered her breath.
"Stopw she commanded imperiously.
1T is horrible! How can you want to
send me away from you, away from
my home? And I won't marry him. 1
won't marry any minister! l won't!
l hate them all-all but you, father!"
She began to sob tempestuously.
Three days later, having contumeli-
ously refused to make her appearance
whenever the Rev. Lemuel Towers
came to the parsonage, she was ship
ped to Eliza in the Rocky mountains.
Eliza had always had influence with
her, her parents recalled thankfully.
What Is that man doing?" Joanna
demanded of the stage driver in whose
taciturn company she was finishing the
journey to Eliza.
She indicated stalwart figure stand
ing astride Of two rocks in the clear,
rushing stream beside which the road
twisted through the mountains.
"Fishin'. Can't you sees much as
that"
"Oh. of course!' murmured Joanna,
abashed. II see the rod now"
At that second the fisherman wound
his reel swiftly, and there flashed in
the afternoon sunlight a glittering
something at the end Of the slender
line.
Good CATCH" roared the stage driv-
er above the rumble Of his wheels and
the foaming Of the water. The fisher
man looked up to wave an acknowl-
edgment of the compliment; but. see
ing Joanna, her slim body bent for
ward. her young face smiling and in
terested, he pulled his battered cap of
his head and stared until the wagon
disappeared at the next bend.
"Who is he?" asked Joanna.
Dunno. Campin' mile or two up
here. Brought up his own things. so l
didn't have no chance to get acquaint-
ed with him. Here we are" And he
swung into sight Of the picturesquely
rough hotel where Eliza awaited her
sister.
Perhaps her heart was little heavy
as she wandered alone the next morn
ing through the woods behind the hotel.
She made no effort to read the book
which she had brought with her. On
the spacious heights with yet higher
heights above and a crystalline. blue
ness browning all. with pines and as
pens marshaled up and down the slopes
and grasses and wild flowers and sun
f1ecked shadows flooring all the noun
tains, mere existence was enough.
Hunger, of course. reused her from
this Nirvanic ecstasy. She looked at
her watch. sighed. arose and wandered
back toward the hotel.
The trail seemed longer than she had
remembered 1t, but she had a convic-
ton that no other path had crossed 1t.
That conviction had gradually given
way to doubt and that to desperation,
when finally she saw ahead a CLEAN OF
canvas and the curling of smoke. A
man bent over fire, cooking.
pardon me- began Joanna clearly.
The man turned-the tall, strhe
smooth shaver. homely fisherman o.
yesterday.
"Oh" said Joanna Imply. Its your
"And your he answered kindlingly.
Joanna blushed.
IT beg your pardon" she said formal
ly. 81 want to find my way back to the
Cascade hotel. | was-or l thought
was--in the woods just behind it. but
I seem to be astray."
"You are somewhat out of your road
he answered as formally. But l shall
be very glad to take you to. the point
where you took the wrong turn
1.-THE wrong turn?" unused Joanna.
1.-THE right turn!" declared the young
man firmly.
They looked at each other and
laughed.
81 don't want to interfere with your
luncheon" Joanna began again politely
IF could persuade you to share it,
begged the young man deferentially
II fear you will be too late for de
cent meal at the Cascade House."
Joanna hesitated. She thought Of
the Rev. Elijah and her mother. Of hel
array Of excellent relatives and Of the
ordinary conventions of ordinary life
Then she looked about her. and sh,
knew that this was not the world al
she had known 1t. She deliberately
brushed aside all other considerations
eff you only would give me a biter