Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-09-27

nearly ready, Myrfle7 All right" az
sire nodded assent s-Come In, neigh
Dor. and wen talk it over
Hector Lane, winner of hearts, in
his frank. jolly way captvated all
hands with his recital Of how ne had
invested his sole thousand dollars In
the automobile, and had started OF ON
a protracted sketching tour. Then he
was invited to stay all night. Brfght
and early the next morning he Joined
the farmer attending to his stock.
"Fve been thinking. Mr.. Payne" he
observed, land / wondered If you
wouldn't take me in pawn, as well as
the automobile. Here's the facts: /
overheard you tell your wife you were
short of working hands Hire me- I
need little of roughing it to get ame
in trim for winter studio work Then
by fall, if don't get action with my
friend, We'll sell the automobile and
square up"
He had persuasive way, he was a
prime fellow, for, accommodating him.
self to his environment, every evening
lie declared he was as healthy and
hungry as bear. Every morning he
went gayly to his tasks. Between
times there was Myrtle, modest, bright
eyed Myrtle. Evenings and holidays
the automobile was called into requi-
sftion. Hector taught Myrtle how to
run it. 1t got to be almost considered
as family property
One day Payne said to Hector: "See
here, Wen call it square on those two
old sheds that burned down. You're a
man, every inch of you, and I cancel
that debt. You can leave, machine
and all, any time you like"
Farmer" responded Hector cheer
lily, 81 don't want to leave. This is the
lifeI Why, I'm built up like trained
pugilist, and If you don't object, I'll
stay another month";" and here the
crafty young schemer stole a glance
at Myrtle, daintily trimming the gar
den border. and whispered to himself ::
1.-TWO months, year, il Myrtle acts as
if she'd like me to-
Myrtle was wont to take the auto
mobile afternoons for a trip to girl
friends in the district. Hector had
made of her an expert at the wheel.
One day, nearly at dusk. a strange au-
tomobile drove up.
"Oh, fatherI" yelled Ned Payne,
There's been an accident; the auto
mobile is all smashed up, and some
strangers have brought Myrtle home
all bandaged up!"
All hands rushed out to the road
A stranger, a well-dressed, impressive
looking man, was assisting Myrtle from
his automobile. Myrtle wore a ban
dage over one side of her face and
t. e,1; IL
and shaken up, but instantly called
out, reassuringly:
Don't get frightened, mother; I'm
only Scratched up a little"
''She is a heroinel" cried her escort
in Quavering tones. "Oh, madam Oh,
sir - he added with fervor, ssshe risked
from certain death. shall bless her
to the last moment of my existence !"
The thrilling story came out in sec
lions. 1t appeared that a light auto
mobile operated by a nurse, with two
little children in the rear seat, had got
stalled directly in the middle of rail-
road track, with the fast mail coming
not two hundred yards distant. Myrtle
had discerned their peril. She took a
fearful chance and drove straight up
against the little machine, sent it
spinning off the tracks, but the shock
hurled her own machine sideways into
Il ditch and she was thrown out.
Mr. Davenal insisted on purchasing
outright for an extravagant sum Hec-
tors automobile.
Hector felt it his duty to be very
tender and attentive to the family in
valid, Myrtle. Those two drifted swift
ly under the potent influence of loves
young dream.
And the day of the wedding Mr.
Davenal made a present of the hand
soonest residence In the village to the
happy pair.