The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1922-07-20
The Girla
Pixies Crossing
BY ELLA SAUNDERS

4
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"Half an hour at Pixies Crossing !"
Tremlett hesitated, then left the COM
partment in which the passengers
drowsed through the sultry afternoon,
and descended from the train.
Sage brush and alkali everywhere!
1t was the third day of the crossing
to San Francisco. Tremlett was on
his way there to begin a new life.
The past? No matter. He had
committed no offense. Only-well,
long before girl had made fool of
him, and after that life had dragged,
and he had grown weary and dis
pirited. At last, with an unexpected
legacy of $1,000, he had decided to
have done with the past and make
clean start in new country.
He stepped down and looked about
him. An Indian squaw with gaudy
blanket wrapped about her strobe
down the narrow street between two
lines of shacks. There was an eat
ing house, store. :. Tremlett
walked slowly on. And then he met
the girl!
Instantly he knew that she was the
girl of his dreams. She was the girl
he had pictured long before that I'M
fortunate affair with May Summerton
She had proud little head, and long
coils of dark hair wound about it, and
it was wonderful, meeting her here!
She seemed to recognize him, too.
She smiled frankly at him as they met
in the middle of the dusty way.
$50 this Is Pixies Crossing?" said
Tremlett.
"Whats the matter with it?" asked
the girl, still smiling.
Nothing, except for the dust. It
gets into ones eyes. suppose one
gets used to it?"
She looked at him with an amused
smile. "Yes," she answered.
'It's-it's got sort of grandeur Of
it's own-those hills" said Tremlett,
indicating the purple range in the dis
tance II don't know that wouldn't
change with you.'
eve like our home town." said the
girl quietly, and Tremlett stared at
her. "Town? What did she think
New York was, then? And how did
she get there, she, with the manners
of well-bred city girl?
He decided that her father was a
local rancher-if there was anything
to "ranch" at Pixies Crossing.
They walked the length of the street
together. Dogs, curled up in the sun,
raised their heads as they passed. The
bare lands lay parched in the heat.
am sorry for you, living here" said
Tremlett. And somehow he found
himself telling her all about his hopes
and projects in his western journey.
| Never before had he found girl so
similar in mind, so sympathetic.
II suppose it's queer, my telling all
this to stranger" he said, ''but l
felt as if I'd always known you when
we met"
$50 did t. she answered frankly.
! "And there's the whistle" said Trem.
lett. Il suppose I've got to go, and
we shall never meet again."
"But you must remember Pixies
Crossing" said the girl, little visit.
| fully.
For two pins" said Tremlett, as
they walked back, I'D throw up every
thing and stay"
Rather rapid?" she smiled.
zone place is as good as another
However, that's all nonsense. Evel
been in Frisco, Miss-?"
ruth Heath" she said.
; my names Tremlett."
"No, I've never been there, but
!. hope to 80 some day-some day quit
soon."
II suppose there's no chance, Mis-
Health mean, would it be all RICH
if-?"
IT guess so. People aren't so con
, ventional as they used to be nova
| days."
"And may I-write?" he hesitated.
She shook her head. mo, Mr.. Tren
lett, we must just trust to chance"
He felt the snub, and sulked a lii
tie, as men do. There was a quie
little smile on the girls face. At tn
I train Tremlett turned to her.
, anyway, you've given me half a
e hours comradeship," he said. "And
q feel better for it."
E She made a little mock curtse,
"How long will you remembers"
always! And if ever I return T.
look out for Pixies Crossing"
"For me?"
p For you," he answered gravely.
: A ringing Tilt of laugh came fro1
S her lips.
!. "But shan't be here" she said.
$ "All aboard!'' called the conducto
Tremlett hesitated at the step. IT
think of you, always" he said.
'sMr. Tremlett, why are men S
blindT' asked the girl, laughing.
guess it must be the dust that ge
into ones eyes. Give me your han
q please
n "You-you?" he stammered.
y She curtsied again. Yes, I've bee
v aboard since we left Denver" she sal
o "I'ln going to Frisco"
:, Just Enough.
- MANY people at the opening gam
e Sam?" asked his employer.
n "Yassah, heap O. folks, MiSts