The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-01-08

tinguiHhed IL. Overland Rcd hand
ed the tobacco aud papers to him.
About comm up this here
trail1" he resumed Well. Miss,
# was four years ago that I picked
up Collie here at Albuquerque. Ills
pa died sudden and left the Kid 10
find out what hard map this ole
world u.s."
Albuquerque" querled Louise.
"lhhuh. Later, comm across tbs
Molave. we got thrun of "A freight
BY mistake for couple OF SEWN
machines that we was ridln' with
To Baratow. 80 tho tickets on the
crates said That WAS near Dag
gett. by n watertank. We beat II
for the next town. nfoot. Collie
commenced 10 give out. He was
talkin OF green grass and cucum.
beers In tho leo box and lot Of
things you can't find I'm the desert.
Well. ] got him 10 his feet next
mornln'. We had some trouble.
and was detnined spell I'm Bar.
stow after that. They couldn't
provo nothin. so they let US 20.
Then Collie rot to talkln' about a
California road that wigglcd up n
hill thru canyon. and had one
OF these here old Mission bells
whore II III or for the sky.ranch
lie dreamed OF that road and told
me 10 much about II that got to
lookin' for II. too. knowed OF the
old ~ Canine Real and the bells.
80 we kept our eyes peeled for
that particular dream road kind OF
for fun. Wa found her yesterday. q"
What. this? The road to our
ranch?"
"Uhhuh. Collie. he said 80 the
minute We got in that canyon.
Mocnstone Canyon. you said"
And when you leave here7"
queried Louise.
Same old thing" replied over.
land. chccrfully We're Twin. and
that's all you need 20 do In Cali.
fornia."
And that Is all now that you
"Oh. the road IL Ike all 81 them
dreams" said Overland. 1t was
fun lookln' till We found It. Same
es them marriages on tho desert.
after that"
Marriages?'
"Uh huh Seem water what ain,
there. like"
"Oh. mirages!" And Louise
laughed joyfully.
What would you call IT." de-
mandcd tho tramp.
"Oh. an illusion. a mirage. some.
thing that seems to be. but that
Is not"
Il don't SEQ where It's got any
thing on marriages. then. DO you.
Hut ! Amt generally peppermlstic.
! believe IN folks and things. AL.
tho I'm old enough 10 know bet.
ter"
I'm glad Jon believe in folks"
Eaid Louise So DO L"
It's account OF beln' a potc. |
guess" sighed the tramp. Didn't
know | was pote7 Course | Amt
a professional. They got TO have
a license. never took out one.
not havin' the money"
Won't you quote something7"
The girl smiled bewltchingly.
"Boyar and must 20 soon. It's
getting hot"
"u-m-m. yes. What1l ! give her.
Colllo7"
4 don't care" replied the boy.
Il guess the Grand Old Privilege
will do"
"oh. good" And Louise ciappcd
her hands. The tito is splendid.
Is the poem original"
The tramp bowed a trlfle haugh,.
fly. Original? Me life's work.
lady" And he waved his half-con.
sumed cigaret toward the skies,
and began:
Folks cay Ne got no uorals-that
they all fell In tho SOUP.
And no Conscience the would
be goodies say,
And guess our good intentions did
Jest up and flew the COOP.
while va stood around and watch
81 'cm fade away.
But there's ono thing that we're
lovin' more than money. grub
or booze.
or even decent folks that speaks
And thats tho Grand old Privilege
90 chuck our luck and choose.
Any road at any time for any
whore.
And Overland. his hand above
his heart. bowed effusively.
Down the Old Meadow Trail. un
seen by the girl and the boy. rode
a single horscman. and something
AT his hip glintcd In the sun. Over
lands hand went to his own hip.
Then he shrugged his shoulders.
What's the use7" he muttered.
But there was that In his tone
which brought Collie's head up.
Louise. puzzled by something
familiar In the boys upturned face.
raised one gauntleted hand 10 her
lips. why. you're tho boy | saw
out on the desert two years ago.
you lying by water-tank
when our train stopped and a man
was kneeling beside you. pouring
water on your face? Aren't you
hat boy7"
"Yes!" exclaimed Collie, getting
10 his feet. Red told me about
you. too"
Yes. it's her" remarked Over
and. nodding to himself.
And you chucked rose out of
he window 10 us?" said the boy
Overland said she did"
Yes, it's her. the Rose Lady
ilrl." said Overland.
But those men were arrested at
3arstow, for murder. Uncle Walter
said"
Again Overland Red nodded. !
They was. Miss. But they couldn't !
prove nothin'. so they let us 60"
1--WE always was goin' TO say |
hanks to the girl with the rose II |
We ever seen her" said Collie.
so we says II now" said Over. |
and quickly. Then he slowly |
oiled another cigaret.