Judsonia weekly advance., 1919-11-13


 "Well, you youngsters must have this country pretty well explored" said Doctor Hardy, as they entered the house. "Where was 1t today-the prairies, the foothills or the real fel- lows behind?"
 "The canyon up the river" said Irene, drawing off her sweater. Whats the eats? Gee! I'm hungry! Getting pretty supple, Daddykins, aren't you?
 "Yes, an I'm sorry for it, miss," said the old rancher, mot wishin' him any harm, or you, neither. We was jus talkin' it over, an your father thinks he's spry enough for the road again. Amt ever goin to be like it used to be after he's gone, an you"
 "We'll be sorry to go," said the doc tor. "That's what I've been saying all day, and thinking, too. If misfortunes can be lucky, ours was one of that kind. I don't know when I've enjoyed holiday so much. What do you say girl ?" he 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. It's wonderful It's life" Then with sudden little scream she exclaimed: "Oh, daddy, why can't you sell your practice and buy ranch? Wouldn't that be wonderful?"
 "Your mother might not see it that way" he replied and her eyes fell.
 
 would have to go back to the city and talk by rule, anu dress by rule, and behave by rule, and be correct.
 It's been a good time the doctor continued. when they had commenced supper, but I've already overstayed and my leg will be pretty strong by the time I am back east If 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 it there or ship it."
 The following morning found Dave early on the trail, leading saddled horse by his side. The hours were leaden for the girl all that day and, looking into the future, she saw the specter of her life shadOwed down the years by an unutterable loneliness. How could she ever drop it all-all this wild freedom, this boundless health. this great outdoors, this life, life-how could she drop it all and go back into the little circle where con ventiOn fenced out the tiniest alien streamlet. although the circle itself might lie deep in mire? And how would she give up this boy who had grown so imperceptibly but so inti mately into the very soul of her being give him up with all his strength and vlr1llty and, yes, and coarseness, if you Will, hut sincerity too-an essential man, as God made him-in exchange for machine-made counterfeit with the stamp of Society? Deeply did she ponder these questions. and as the day wore on she found herself possessed of a steadily growing determination that she would not follow the beaten trail. let the by-paths lead where they might
 Darkness save for white moon had settled over the foothills when the boy returned with another young man. The stranger ate a ravenous supper. but was not too occupied to essay con versation with Irene. He chose to call her cook
 Swell pancakes, cook" was his opening remark "Can you find an- other for yours truly?"
 She refilled his plate without an ~swer.
 Used to know a girl mighty like you," he went on. "Waitress in the Royal Edward. Gee! but she was swell A pippin! Class? Say, she had lem all guessing. Had me guessing myself for while. But just for a while" He voiced these remarks with an air of intense self-approval more offensive than the words.
 Irene felt the color rise about her neck and cheeks and run like an over flowing stream into her ears and about her hair. It was evident that, for a second time, Dave had chosen to say nothing 10 strangers about her pres ence atCthe ranch Her father and Mir Eden were in Dawes room; Dave had stopped eating. and she saw the veins rising in his clenched fists. But the challenge was to her, and she woul, accept it; she felt no need of his pro tection.
 "Fill your stomach" she said, pass ing more pancakes; your head is | hOpeless.'
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