The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-07-13
When Ella Needed
a Man
BY r. RAY BAKER

Walter CrestOn accepted one of Mr..
Clare's cigars, bit off the mouth end,
lighted the other and settled himself
in chair.
"YOu wished to see me-" he In
quired rather listlessly. There was a
dreamy, discouraged look in his pale
gray eyes. Mr.. Clare's mouth was
curved in beneficent smile.
EYES," returned Mr.. Glare as a
wreath of smoke from his cigar merged
with one from Clare's. He cleared his
throat. ITS about Ella"
Walter appeared suddenly to lose
some of his listlessness, and his eyes
showed interest. For a moment he
seemed fred with a new interest in
life, and he opened his mouth as If
to speak only to sink back again In
the grasp Of lethargy. the blaze burned
cut
ayes, It's about Ella" said Mr.. Glare.
"YOu wish to marry her, ! under
stand" SCI
" do" Walter affirmed, but what's
the use? Last night l asked her for
the fifth time this year and she turned
me down again. Said, as she has said
before, that she felt no need Of man.
She was getting along very well, she
told me, without any masculine person
to look after her, and she could see no
reason for accepting added RESPONSE
bilities to her cares In the form Of
mn kNpvv IA chr fnf
that l was ineligible, because had no
fxed purpose In life, and lacked thor
0ughness In everything l undertook. l
guess It's because I've led a rather
easy life, not being obliged to dig for
O living, and as consequence I've had
fling at several different businesses
and professions and never got any
where with any Of them. I've got to
go TO work now, though, for the money
hft by my father is about played out.
I'd be thorough and make success
Of myself, too, If only had Ella for
An Incentive"
did she turn you down cold?"
asked Mr.. Glare. "You know, I've
rather favored you for son-in-law,
and frankly I'd like to see you win
out. That's why asked you up here
this afternOon-tO give you some ad-
vice"
no; she didn't turn me down cold.
She said, in fact, that she'd probably
marry me when the time came, provid-
ed ] didn't find some one else in the
meantime but just now she didn't
want to be bothered with a husband"
ELIAS queer girl" remarked her
fhtlier knocking a knob Of ashes into
tray. "She's what you might call
whimsical. The stage has to be set
Just right before she makes up her
mimi to anything, then she makes it
mp quickly, does the thing under con-
temp alton and remains satisfied with
her decision. "Now here's a pointer
Tor you. I'm taking Ella with me on
"trip to my mines in Montana. We're
leaving next Monday by automobile.
Now there are plenty of chances for
psychological moments in the foothills
Of the Rockies. You need a trip for
your health, Walter, and you have
sice big touring car and several friends
who would make jolly companions.
One In particular think of-that
young minister who was recently Or
dained. l would suggest him for such
= trip. Please don't think I'm med
ding and that am trying to marry
or my daughter. but I like you, Wal
ter, and I'd like to see you win out.
This Is merely suggestion, of course.
Tow will not hurt my feelings BY
refusing"
With Mr.. Glare and his daughter
went two men. They carried a COM
plete camping paraphernalia. including
4 tent, but when opportunity offered
they made use Of deserted shacks
along the route Of travel.
As soon as the party entered the
foothills Of the mountains some long
hidden chord in Elias nature began
10 respond to some strange call sent
out by the peaks of the Rockies that
doomed against the sky. The constant
talk Of business by her father and his
companions bored her almost to dis.
traction. and she communed with her
self and nature whenever chance
arose. This constant discourse on mon.
~ matters seemed to her to be profan.
Ing the sanctity Of the wilds.
One night Ella left the shack In
which the party was quartered and
nude her way down the rather rough
mountain road, stopping now and then
to gaze pensively at multitude Of
stars that shone from clear sky
Down the road she remembered pass.
fng that day a quaint little tumble
down church. and she made this edifice
the goal Of her night ramble. Hell
father had cautioned her to remain
close to camp and she had intended tC
obey; but the church was farther thar
she had thought. and, besides, she was
b u pensj?e mood which took nj
count Of time or distance.
Finally tiny cross on a decayins
steeple met her eyes, silhouettet
against the sky, and she made for 1t
She wanted to enter, but the silenc,
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