The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-07-22

you've spent your lie IN western Me-
braska, personally conducting squads
of cattle from range to railroad station
and thereafter riding with them and
punching them into submission 10 an
sRil-wise providence. you're apt to be
In a receptive condition for romance.
Walt was. From the first day when
he found the advertisement, he knew
the star path his feet must tread. He
vas sitting on baggage truck in the
cool shadow Of the Three Bears eX-
press office. peacefully sleeping. Run
: ", the agent, laid over his face copy
Of the Omaha Eagle" When Walt
Weakened, HIS glance wandered idly ov-
er its want columns. 1t was down
among the personals. Walt read 1t
over carelessly at first, then careful
ly, looking up once TO gaze at the de-
mure but forbldding face behind tho
telegraph office window. Then he
read over the ad again.
Wanted-Young eastern widow.
blonde. tweuty-four. wishes to cor
respond with Western ranchmar,
not over thirty. Object matrt-
mony."
He held the newspaper firmly in
he should not answer the appeal. He
didn't have a ranch all his own, but
Bill and he had been good partners
with the Triple Star Outfit. The house
wasn't so bad three rooms and leanto.
He'd fix 1t UP for her, chuck all the
old clutter he and Bill had put up with,
and send up load of mail order hon
eynoon things for her to make her
know she was welcome.
Hete Walt took second look at the
unfriendly face at the window, but
the girl never turned her head or no.
tlced his existence. Presently he saun
tered around into the station doorway
and leaned over the little partition at
tbs ticket office. Could he have a
telegraph blank please? Cherry did
not glance up at all, Just passed one to
him coldly. He spent half an hour
writing his message. Took long
drink from the water cooler and
handed the telegram to her to count
up.
\ Send 1t off any time It's handy"
he remarked trying to be nonchalant
also. Cherry ran her pencil over it.
SDear Madam-See!ng your ad in the
Omaha Eagle" / am hereby present
ing myself with honorable intentions.
Have Ts2 acre ranch, in partnership
with one Bill Owens. No money in
bank, but credit hereabouts and with
mail order firms. Height six foot one
inch; weight one hundred and sixty. II
satisfactory, will wire fare, Waneanto,
Nebraska.
walter X. RAMSDELL."
might message?" asked Cherry,
pleasantly as she drew her pencil
through Dear Madam"
Wait resented her air of aloofness
and lack OF curiosity. He hauled out
a pigskin wallet and extracted yell
low bill.
Send it now and get it there this
afternoon. I don't care what 1t costs.
Any corrections to suggest?"
Cherry's blue eyes looked him over
slowly, in one sweeping summary OF
his apparent Shortcomings as an ideal
sutton and shook her head aggravat-
ingly, with a certain little curl to her
!, short upper lip. Some months pre-
vicusly she had been courted assidu-
ously by Mr.. Ramsdall, and being the
only attractive and desirable girl in a
radious Of forty miles. she had failed
to take his offer at its proper valua-
ton. Walt waited grimly until she
had dispatched his message, then he
rode away with new aggressive tilt
to his hat and sinking feeling in his
heart at the desperate step he had
taken.
In the days OF waiting for his answer
he haunted the telegraph office, Cher
" was likewise posbmistress, and Bill
warned him Of his danger.
Tits Just as dangerous hanging
Iround some female you've been once
attached to as it Is getting measles the
second time. wouldn't put it past
Cherry bit to try and get ahead of
hat eastern widow and think she's do
ing something mighty smart.
But Cherry held serenely to her
own course Of action. Instead of be-
Ing scornful, she became sympathet-
ID and rather remorseful. When she
Found Walt pouring over mail order
catalog that guaranteed to furnish a
honeymoon equipment at so much per
room, she aided him instead of laugh
Ing. Walt found himself deferrrng to
her taste in snowflake curtains and
golden oak sideboards. 1t was Cherry
who suggested cutting out the phono-
graph and putting in a studio willow
set instead and low bookcase. Walt
had hesitated over a red velvet set.
ut isn't becoming to blondes" she
said, thoughtfully.
Waits .ssEe Travelled to Cherry brown
5hoft cuf:s and wide brown eyes. alert
as squirrels, and for one Instant
he thought of how she would look
surrounded by the studio willow set.
He leaned over a little wooden bar
der between them eagerly, forgetful of
windows.
Its awfully good of you to tend to
all this stuff for me, Cherry. i'd never
thought of that fireless cooker or the
washing machine or that line of things
You know tire wasn't any real rea-
son that we didn't-well-didn get
married ourselves, only you seemed
unwilling"
cherry's bowed head gave no sign OF
attention; she was getting the signal
for the incoming train on the eastern
track.
"Cherry, girl Walt felt all eau
ton leave him suddenly. II amt any
hand at delivering speeches, but ]
cant stand it, seeing you here day az