The Prescott daily news., 1920-06-02
R. F. D.
By MILDRED WHITE.

,s.ossed the dog at her feet. Here
 sre dying of loneliness. Billy, and " 'e. ocest. friendliest looking man s.,ns % inst down the road. Yet we % a.,e not speak to him, or he to us. ssssuse ~ we have not been introduced. 7. thIs wild who is likely to appear,
 .st YOU. to introduce us? A girl is s,gbty hard up for conversation. puIv when she has to exercise her .wr ~ voice talking to dog. Other s,ee % should not be certain but that had turned dumb. After father hv,nging me to this place. where he sould rest his overwrought nerves, row appear to be the only nerve irri- .snt @ 90 he hides himself away among tbe pines, responding only to my din ner bell"
 The dog, who had listened, his low Inc humid eyes searching the girls face came to rest his head in sym nathy against her shoulder and her Ioueh rang out like the joyous carol of q bird. 'Tt isn't that I want to marry the nice man, you understand, \, to have him make love to me, Ruly. It's just that his log veranda looks so inviting, with it's chairs and magazines and the victrola in the cor ner. Our own magazines are either delayed or gone astray, and I've read inc last ones to shreds.
 Now let us put the saddle on Lassie, and be off to our one amusement-the exciting quest for mail at the distant post office.
 BIlly recognizing one single word, became at once excitedly alert, and the qir1 changed her chatter to a merry whistle as she saddled the slim pony and went picking her way down the narrow path through the growth. aWho is she?" the man asked of old Annie, who came in to do his chores. Old Annie didn't know.
 "A summer stranger" she thought, 1prob'ly."
 The Summer stranger" advancing, wondered impatiently why in the world the nice man lay always lazily { in his long wicker chair. Why didn't he move and stir about, as one of his athletic build might be expected to do? Then her face clouded in quick eompunction-close to the mans chair stood crutch. He was lame, then cripple. Her heart beat faster as he sat up and called to her. He was asking some favor, and if in remorse for her unkind criticism there was anything that she could do--. She refined in Lassie promptly and flashed at the man an entrancing smile.
 You asked me-T she questioned.
 T wonder" he asked-his voice was pleasing-"if you are going down for the mail? And if so, could ask you also to bring mine. am-unable to go by myself, you see, and am expect ing an important communication. You will pardon. hope" he finished. "my b0ldness."
 T shall be very glad to accommo- date you," the girl answered matter of-factly.
 Your namer
 Dalton" the man replied, Donald Dalton, and thank you very much"
 Billy had a difficult time keeping up with Lassie's heels after that Some of her riders joyous spirit seemed to have entered into the pony's being; and when the girl later slipped from Lassie's saddle before the log veranda and bestowed a generous supply of businesslike mail upon the recliner in the wicker chair her eyes were shin ing and her cheeks aglow with the promise of adventure.
 T am a civil engineer" the nice man told her. we are scouting around here to try to put our railroad through. I was so unfortunate in my scouting as to break my leg. Every day since then has been forty eight hours long. You" he smiled apologetically, "have been my one in- terest. I wondered about your being ln this desolate region, you see" he hastened to add, land how you got here"
 The girl laughed as she cuddled the cat in her arms. q love to be mystery" she said. Tt is so unusual. Back home I'm so we'll known that l am tiresome."
 But you will tell me your name Dalton begged, "and allow me to in- Wte you, and your family. perhaps, oown occasionally to break my monotony."
 I've only part of q family" the girl