The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-11-27
SYNOPSIS.

Eden has reached the age OF eighteen
with few educational advantages. An ac-
cident to the auto in which Dr. Hardy.
eminent eastern physician and his daugh-
ter Irene, are touring the country, brings
new s element a ln.o n, IRE Dr; hsr cDn
fined TO his bed. Friendship, and some
thing more. develops between Irene and
David
CHAPTER II-frene greatly enjoys the
unconventional freedom OF ranch life, and
her acguaintanceship with David ripens
the young people part, with the under
standing that David will seek 20 improve
his position In life and they will meet
again.
He wac comforted by this speech.
but he referred to his accomplishments
modestly. "Ridln' an shootin' amt
nothin'." he said.
I'm not so sure" she answered
"Father says the day Is coming when
our country will want men who can
shoot and ride more than II will want
lawyers and professors"
swell. when II does II can call on
me" he said. and there was the pride
In his voice which comes TO boy who
feels that In some way he can take a
mans place In the world. "Them is
two things I sure can do"
Years later she was to think OF her
remark and his answer. consecrated
then In clean red blood.
They talked Of many things that af-
ternoon, and when nj last the length
ening shadows warned them II was
time 10 be on the way they rode long
distances In silence. Both felt sense
which neither ventured 20 express
that they had travelled very close In the
world Of their hopes and sorrows and
desires.
The shadows had deepened into
darkness. and the infinite silence Of the
hills hung about them as they dropped
A light shone from within. and Doctor
Hardy. who was now able TO move
about with the aid Of a homemade
crutch. cou be seen setting the table,
while Mr.. Eden stirred composition
on the stove. They chatted as they
worked. and there was something OF
the Joy OF little children In their com
partnership. The young folks watched
for moment through the window. and
In Dawes heart some long-forgotten
emotion moved momentarily at the
sight Of the good-fellowship prevailing
In the old house. Irene. too. was think
ing: gllmpses OF her own butlered
home. and then this background OF
primal simplicity. where the old cow
man cooked the meals and the famous
specialist set the plates on the bare
board table. and then back OF IL all her
mother. sedate and correct. and very
much shocked over this mingling of
the classes.
"Well. you youngsters must have this
country pretty well explored" said
Doctor Hardy. as they entered the
house. "Where wns Il today-the
prairIes. the foothills or the real fell
lows behindT"
'The canyon up the river" said
Irene. drawing OF her sweater. whats
the eatsf Gee I'm hungry Getting
pretty supple. Daddykins, aren't your
ayes. an I'm sorry for II. MISS" said
the old rancher, mot wishin' him any
harm. or you, neither. We was JUS
talkln II over, an your father thinks
he's spry enough for the road again.
Amt ever goln' to be like II used to be
after he's gone. an you"
"We1l be sorry TO CO." said the doc
tor. That's what I've been saying all
day. and thinking. too. II mlsfortunes
can be lucky. ours was one Of that
kind. don't know when I've enjoyed
n holiday so much. What do you say.
girlf" nc asked, as he rested an arm
on her round, firm shoulder and looked
with fatherly fondness into the fine
brown of her face.
"I've never known anything like IT,"
she answered. Its wonderful. It's
life" Then with sudden little scream
she exclaimed: "Oh. daddy. why can't
you sell your practice and buy a
ranchI Wouldn't that be wonderfulr'
"Your mother might not see II that
way" he replied and her eyes fell.
Yes, that was the obstacle. She
would have to go back 10 the city and
talk by rule. and dress by rule. and
behave by rule, aud be correct.
"It's been a good time" the doctor
continued. when they had commenced
supper. but I've already overstayed
my holiday. feel l can travel now.
and my leg will be pretty strong by
the time l am back east. II Dave will
oblige us by going to town tomorrow
and bringing back some one who can
drive car, we will be able TO start
the following morning. will just take
the car to town. and either sell II there
or ship IT,"
The following morning found Dave
early on the TRAN, leading a saddled
horse by his side. The hours were
ieadon for the girl all that day aud.
looking into the future, she saw the
specter Of her life Swallowed down the
years by an unutterable loneliness.
How could she ever drop IL all-all
this wild freedom, this boundless
health. this great outdoors. this life.
llfe-how could she drop II all and go
back into the little circle where con
ventlon fenced out the tlniest alien