The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-02-02


mere o.o00, young Tom had a long
way To 30 TO see his dream reality.
Tom had reached the age OF 20
when he began 10 wonder II he must
30 beyond the Black Kim world for
his wife, or resign himself TO the
fato Of an old bachelor. Then that
Jade we call Fate whimsically sent
him n mate.
girl from Some far city she was
"A small star that had twinkled be.
hind tho footlights and had fed.
Like many another. she had gone as
far M her money would take her.
Tho train that had brought her
painted upon "A siding. deserted. its
engineer. fireman. conductor and
brakeman leaning over "A bar in the
shack that called itself a saloon.
Tho stations name was JumpoY
What really held Jumpon on tho
time table were the stockynrds
where the Black Rim cattle came To
start their journey TO market.
Tho girl found herself stranded in
settlement whose business was rep.
resented by one saloon. one section
house. one stable. one i2si3 depo,
and n store that was no more than
an addition 10 tho saloon.
II was whilo nho was hesltating
half way between tho store-saloon
and the section house. wondering
which she would choose. that young
Tom Lorrigan Ralioped VI to the
hitch rail. swung down ana came
toward her. Like a picture on a
calendar she looked 20 young Tom.
who had never seen her like In resh
and blood. lie lifted his big range
hat and she smiled at him.
Tom biinked as tho no had looked
at the sun. such a smile he had
never seen In his life. nor such hair.
like real. gold color-d silk all In curis
around her face: nor such eyes. which
were blue as the sky at twilight, when
the stars first begin 10 show.
"Jumpor In not much OF a town. 50
said the girl. and laughed to hide
how close shc was 20 tears.
Young Tom caught his breath. lie
had thought that women had only
two forms OF iaughtsr-the giggie OF
youth OF tho cackis Of age. lie had
never dreamed that a woman could
laugh like n mountain stream CUR
gllns down over the rocks.
III sure Amt. MlRs, Might you be
looking for somebody In particular"
he ventured.
"So-o--i'm just here. started ou,
10 lind the jumping off place. and
this sounded like IL on tho railroad
map. guess It's IL. all right, there's
nothing TO do but Jump
Young Tom pulled HIS black eye
brows together studying her. By
her speech she was human. there
fore. In spite Of her beauty that daz-
rlod him. she was no, 10 be feared.
You mean you Amt goi any par
tieular place 10 so from hcrcf'
The gifl Tilted her head and stared
up the mountains steep. plnecovefcd
slope.
is there any particular place TO
go from herc7" she asked. wiHuully-
Not unless you went back
She shook her head. No" she
said, frniy. I'm climb that noun
tain and jump on the top before III
30 back
Don't you know anybody at all
around here"
Not a soul--crccpt you. and !
don't know whether your name Is
Tom or Bill"
my names Tom-Tom f.orriEan.
FAY n you ain't no, any place TO
so--why-l'vo got "a ranch. III you
didn't mind marrying me. could
take you out there and give you n
home. Ia be plumb good 10 you,
IL you're willing 20 take a chance"
The Eirl stood back and looked
him over.
you'd be taking a. great chance
a. would. haven't any ranch.
or anything az hli but myself and
two trunks full Of clothes and some
thinra in my life I want TO forget.
And I have sixty cents tn my purse.
I can't cook anything exoep, to toast
ma rshmallows-'
i've got a cook" pu, in young
Tom quickly
FAud the ftNfnfF W ENh NVStN
be n Joke out here. And the things
I came out here TO forget ! shall
never tell you"
II aln't interested enough 10 ask.
or 20 listen II you told me-" said
Tom.
And myself can sing 20 you and
dance 10 YOU. and I'm twenty years
Old by the family Bible"
I'm twenty-two-mak u about
right" said Tom.
And II you should count nifty and
ask me again"
Ten. twenty. thirty. forty. ffty'
will YOU marry mcT' obeyed Tom
with much alacrity.
You might call me Belle. Belle
Z Dclavan. We'll. came TO Jumpon
because meant 10 jump. Yes, III
marry you-and the Lord have mer'
cy on you. Tom Lorrigan, II l live
10 regret IT.
Amen. Same 20 you" Erinned
Tom. ITS an even break any
way. They don't claim I'm sprout'
Ing wings"
|
Young Tom Lorrigan had found
his mate.
Everything he did now he did for
/ Belle more than for himself. As