Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1920-05-27
l. o. U.
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By CORONA REMINGTON

tlnued, IF you don't stop fooling
around that Blake girl you'll marry
her sure; then I'll disinherit you"
But, father, Tn not in love with
Miss Blake, and wouldn't marry her
IT she were the only girl In the world"
swell, that may be all right, but
there's something 1 want you to do for
me. l want you to go to California
to your Uncle VIII Benefits and stay
on his ranch for awhile and learn
something Of country life. l wrote to
him about it, and he said he'd be glad
to have you"
Jack thought a moment. His father
was evidently set upon his going, and,
anyhow, a trip to California would not
be so bad; so why not? After brief
mental calculation he replied:
"Tll be ready next Wednesday,"
Good! That's settled. I'll write to
your uncle and tell him when to ex-
pect you"
A few days of hustling preparations
and Jack found himself ready for the
trip. When Wednesday morning ar
rived he boarded the through sleeper
for San Francisco, and seated himself
with a light heart as he idly watched
the hurrying, scurrying crowds outside
waving goodbys to the slowly moving
train. He sat immersed in thought for
q few moments, but his attention was
soon distracted by the gruff voice of
the Pullman conductor speaking to the
passenger in the opposite seat:
"Well, lady, you can't stay here IN
less you have got the money to pay for
it-you'll have to go in the day COACH"
"But day coaches don't go all the
way to San Francisco, and I'm alone,
and I'd have to stop at hotels on the
way" the passenger protested.
Beneath a perky little toque Jack
saw a most bewitching face that wore
an expression of much p~erplexity. The
young man promptly sided with the
distressed little creature across the
aisle, and, drawing a card from his
pocket, touched the conductor on the
arm.
"Please give this to the young lady"
he said, sand ask her to permit me to
lend her the necessary money-it
would be a pleasure"
Without waiting for the message to
be repeated, the girl glanced at the
card and addressed Jack directly:
TITS so good of you to offer, Mr.. Los
mond. IL don't know what to do
about 1t, but guess I'll have to accept.
Here's my card. Til return it as soon
as I reach San Francisco"
Is she smiled her thanks two fasci-
mating dimples appeared, then disap-
peared SO rapidly that Jack could not
be sure that he had see them after
all. He hoped she would smile again.
After the conductor had gone he want
ed to talk to HIS fair neighbor, but
Miss Westell seemed to consider the
matter closed, for she soon buried her.
self In a book and the morning passed
uneventfully. When luncheon was an
nounced. he decided to wait until the
girl should arise, in the hope of being
able to offer to escort her to the din
er. but Edith Westell showed no signs
of moving. Suddenly it occurred to
him that possibly she had no money
to pay for her meal, since he had only
handed to the conductor enough to
pay for her Pullman fare. He adj
dressed her in his most engaging
tones:
"Beg pardon, Miss Westell. but won't
you take lunch with me? I'd be
charmed If you would"
She puckered up her forehead for a
second, as If debating, then:
"Since I'm nearly starved and it's
my only chance Of getting something
to eat, / guess I'd better accept your
kindness. though it does seem dread
fully unconventional; but I'm raven
ously hungry"
Lets forget conventions until we
reach San Francisco" he suggested.
"But ] think it would be better for
me to borrow more money, and pay
for my WI LUNCH" she replied.
"Tm afraid | can't lend you any
MORE" he returned with mock serious
ness.
The girl looked up and caught the
twinkle In his dark eyes and smiled
despite her attempt at being digni-
fed.
SWELL" she said, "Tll have to accept
this time. Let's go at once, please;
I'm famished."
Mr.. LosmOnd ordered the meal and
watched the girl sitting opposite him
with fascinated interest. Her face wore
an expression of eager anticipation.
.YOu seem to be Interested In
things" he remarked.
Having had nothing to eat since
last night. and possessing an abnorm-
ally good appetite, ! naturally am"
.sToo bad" he sympathized. Il new
er dreamed but what you'd had your
breakfast"
"No. I'm running away, and
that's how l came to be short of
money" She blushed at her own con-
fession.
uv.u