The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1922-12-30
the DovE|co1E
s~NsSSSNNSSS SsSNSSN0ss
oy JULIA A. RoDiNsoN


s~~S sADss Vskn D01S%0OS - o1As0 esso
sntsrsd the station and bought her
ticket. She was not Accustomed 70
travelling. anA took the arst train that
came along. supposiag that any enc
would carry her to 0rssnic.
With 4 little gasp at the unaccus-
toned luxury. she settled herself back
In the evsAisasA seat and gassd fsom
the window. How fast the landscape
rushed By, carryiAg her away from
familiar scenes and dulles!
The Conductor came ht0 the train.
looked at her ticket snd shook his
head. mot good on this train, miss."
he announced. This train does not
20 to 0reenic."
The girl STARED at him blankly.
"Greenic's on the branch. You'll
have to seAasos At the Traction" he ex.
planned.
"Oh! What shsll DOR she sasped.
LET me OF. please"
Cant till We get 70 Ames. This 10
an express. A dollar. please"
A doliari With q beating heart she
paid II, wondering II she would have
enough left to take her home.
Get OF at Ames; take the local"
the conductor told her. and passed on.
Madge stared. All her happiness was
gone. She felt like q lost child, and
wanted to cry.
"CAa help your asked q friendly
voice from the seat behind.
The sound ssnt Q thrill to her heart.
She turned and met the brown eyes Of
4 young man whs smiled at her en-
courasihsiy.
you can got . tfaiaa back to the
junction at Eve this. afternoon, but !
am not sure thsrs y, q, train cut to
0reeoie aftsr that hour" he ssid.
Have you sny friends At the junction
whore you could spead the nightr
"Not 4 person. Oh. what shall do"
Her hasei syss wsrs foil Of distress a.
she AxeA them on him. Isn't there q
train from Amss to 0rsenicf'
"l'm sorry. but 10th are country
places and there 10 nc connection be-
tween them" She looked 10 helpless
that he ionssd to help her.
"rll tell you what you can De-" he
ventured. II stop At Ames. Ny sister
lives there. She'll kssp you to din
ner. In the afternoon I'll harness the
old horse and drive you ever to Green
Ic. It's only II miles By road; By
train rs q days journey.
"Ohw she painted. but couldn't
let you do thati"
"why notl tPvs nothisg else to DO.
I'm Just down here for . rest. and I'm
dying for q drive. Besides, there's moth.
Ing else for you to do. Thsrs's not Q
hotel In this hole Of place, and we'll
call that settled
He had left his seat and was sitting
By her side. What could she do but
yield? A sense Of comfort stole over
her. They ehatted like old friends.
"Bring your friend right H." In
vitsd HarYy's sister. ~Shs b quite vel.
come"
Nsdgs blushsd and tried to explain.
hut Mr.. Reaa was sure she knew what
It meant.
The Hide across the country was DE-
hshtful. Nadse could scarcely believe
she was her old self, - she chatted
to her. new friend. Who cared for beau.
ty a. much a. she did. She did NOT
know men were - mice"
About half way to 0reenic they came
TO q little house. almost lost in
bower Of roses. lilaes and great elm
trees.
Isn't It just q dsar!" cried Madge.
How I'd love to 30 into lt!"
The door opened to their touch. but
there was no soae inside.
"Oh !"- breathed the girl. This 10
perfection It's like fairyland."
And artistic" ADDED Harry. DO
you know. this ID Just my Ideal Of .
home! think I've always had just
such q home in ny mind"
Its Just heavenly" asssnted Mage.
I'D love q place like this
She was wondering that he felt that
way, ton. Did men like beautiful
things! She had always thought they
cared only for the practical. Perhaps
she did not know men very well.
lie turned to her With 4 strange
look In his eyes. would you really
like to live here7" he asked.
She trembled, for she was beginning
to. understsnd.
.Oh, let's not b practical" she
evaded. Lets play We are fairies and
live here"
They wandered through the dainty
rooms. then out Into the sunshine.
Once more, somehow. the world had
taken on a rosy hue. Wss she the
same girl who had left her close, city
room Only this morning1 Nadse won
dered. Somehow. iifs seemed 90 DIFF
ferent, 20 much more worth white.
-wooder who OWES this gem Of
housel~ unused the man. "Wonder II
they'd sell itr' ~
They drove on across the country
road.
4 year later, whsa Madge and Harry
were living IN the little house. she
looksd Up At him with laughing eyes