The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-08-18
GIRL FROM RANKINsWlLE.
BY EARL REED sILvERs.

Ly to the wooded bank.
"That is HankinsviIle," remarked
Vincent Rossell, indicating a cluster Of
white houses about half a mile down
the river. Il have a letter Of introduc-
ton to a girl who lives there. She's
a fourth or fifth cousin Of NINE"
austin Livingstone smiled.
"You seem to have a cousin In every
port" he remarked. But this time
you haven't anything on me. 1 once
knew a girl from Hankinsville myself"
"Where did you meet herr"
'Down at Atlantic City two years
ago. 1t was during a Paul Jones at a
hotel ball. We had a wonderful dance
together, but she refused to tell me her
name until we were properly intro
duced. She said, however, that she
came from Hankinsville. I expected
to look her up the next day. but 1 was
called away suddenly and haven't seer
her since"
Vincent looked interested.
perhaps she Is the same girl I'm
looking for" he suggested. "What was
she likeT"
"Light hair, blue eyes and red
cheeks" Austin answered.
"She may be the same one" Vincent
glanced at his watch. 'The girl I'm
hunting for is Doris Osborn. but wen
never find her If we don't hurry up.
Let's get to work"
For a few minutes they busted them
selves with pots and pans and other
implements Of camp life.
Supper was eaten and the dishes
washed and slowed away before an
other thirty minutes had passed. Then,
logged out in all the fnery of their
best camping-trip clothes, the two men
made their way { o Hankinsville.
The village was situated on the bank
of the Delaware rivera group of spot
lessly clean houses clustered together
on the top Of a hin. In the very CEN
ter, facing the river, stood a typical
summer hotel, with the Village store
and post Office opposite.
wei step In and ask the postmas-
ter where the Osborns live" Vincent
announced. Hell probably be able to
tell us better than anyone else"
They stood for a moment on the steps
leading to the store. From the hotel
opposite came the sound of merry
voices, and as they watched a bevy Of
summer girls strolled arm In arm down
the broad steps of the veranda. AS
they passed the two strangers one of
them looked coyly over her shoulder
and smiled into their eyes,.
Austin touched his companions arm.
"Why bother looking up your friend
Doris?" he asked. "It seems to me we'd
have a better time II we spent the
night at the hotel"
"Well, wen see."
Vincent's eyes were turned interest
eddy down the road leading away from
the river and Austin's glance followed
the direction of his gaze. Coming
toward them he spied a girl dressed In
some sort Of shimmering green. Her
hair was the color of golden rod In the
late autumn and her arms and neck
had been tinted with the deepest tan
by the summer sun.
IT have a presentiment," said Vim
cent suddenly, shat that girl is Doris
Osborn"
"If 1t is" Austin answered, "I don't
think Wen bother about the hotel,
after all"
They moved to one side as the girl
reached the steps. She glanced at them
as she passed, and nodded pleasantly.
Ufnnnn% or<nrn1 %h4 c%arn
"Td like the Osborn mail" he heard
her say.
Without waiting for the postmaster's
answer, he hurried out to the porch.
"It's her" he announced with the
careless disregard of the rules Of gram
mar.
The girl reappeared, a batch Of let
tiers In her hand. The two men watched
as she sorted them eagerly, selecting
three which she placed In a small satin
handbag on her arm. She walked lei
surely down the road.
TIN going to speak TO her." Vincent
announced. "Come on"
He seized the unprotesting Austin by
the arm, and hurried after the girl.
II beg your pardon" he said when
he had reached her side, "but my name
is Vincent Rossell."
She looked at him inquiringIy, with
the hint of a twinkle In her Eye.
"rm very pleased to know It," she
answered in just the kind of voice Vim
cent knew she would have. "Are you
trying to firt with mef'
He flushed ever so slightly.
10 "No, indeed" he protested earnestly,
II believe that / have something for
you"
He fished hastily into the inner
pocket of his coat and drew forth a tat
tered letter addressed to Miss Doris
Osborn.
"Will you please read thisT' he
asked.
She took the envelope and looked at
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