The Meeker herald., 1922-11-18
THE D0vEC0TE
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Dy JULIA A. RoBiNsoN

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= 1888. ~ Mcclure Newspaper xyadioais.
Aadge had decided to take much
needed vacation, after two years Of
steady work. She had written to Aunt
Ann that she would come for the prom.
lsed visit. With suitcase In hand she
entered the station and bought her
ticket. She was not accustomed to
travelling. and took the first train that
came along. supposins that any one
would carry her to Greenic.
With q little gasp at the unaccus.
toned luxury. she settled herself back
In the cushioned seat and gaaed from
the window. How fast the landscape
rushed BY. carrying her away from
familiar scenes and duties!
Tho conductor came INTO the train.
looked at her ticket and shook his
head. "Not good on this train. MISS"
he announced. This train does not
go to GreenIc."
The girl stared At him blankly.
''Greenic's on the branch. You'll
have to change at the Junction" he ex.
planned.
"oh! What shall I DOR she gasped.
LET me of. please"
Cant till we get to Ames. This is
an express. A dollar. please"
A dollar! With 4 beating heart she
paid 1t, 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.
"Oan I help your asked . friendly
voice from the seat behind.
The sound sent q thrill to her heart.
She turned and met the brown eyes Of
4 young man who smiled at her en-.
couragingly.
"You can get 4 train back to the
junction at fve this afternoon. but
am not sure there 10 . train out to
GreenIc after that hour" he said.
Have you any friends at the junction
where you could spend the nightr'
"Not . person. Oh. what shall do?"
Her hazel eyes were full of distress a.
she fixed them on him. Isn't there Q
train from Ames to Greenicf"
"rm sorry. but both are country
places, and there ID NO connection be
tween them" She looked 20 helpless
that he longed to help her.
"I'll tell you what you can DO" he
ventured. II stop at Ames. Ny sister
lives there. She'll keep you to din
ner. In the afternoon I'll harness the
old horse and drive you over to Green.
ic. It's only II miles BY road; by
train it's a days journey.
"Oh!" she painted. -but I couldn't
let you do that!"
"Why not? I've nothing else to do.
I'm just down here for rest. and I'm
dying for drive. Besides, there's moth
ing else for you to do. There's not
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 chatted like old friends.
Bring your friend right in." In.
vited Harry's sister. "She II quite vel.
come"
Madge blushed and tried to explain,
hut Mrs, Bean was sure she knew what
1t meant.
The ride across the country was de-
Iightful. Madge could scarcely believe
she was her old self, as she chatted
to her new friend, who cared for beau
ty as much a. she did. She did not
know men were 20 nice"
About half way to Greenic they came
to q little house, almost lost In q
bower of roses. lilacs and great elm
trees.
Isn't 1t just a dear" cried Madge.
"How I'd love to 60 into i'll"
The door opened to their touch. but
there was no one inside.
"Oh!" breathed the girl. This is
perfection! It's like fairyland."
"And artistic" added Harry. do
you know. this Is just my Ideal Of q
home? I think I've always had just
such home In my mind"
Its Just heavenly" assented MaGSe.
I'D love a place like this"
She Was wondering that he felt that
way, too. Did men like beautiful
things? She had always thought they
cared only for the practical. Perhaps
she did not know men very well.
He turned to her with 4 strange
look In his eyes. "would you really
like to live here?" he asked.
She trembled, for she was beginning
to understand.
"oh, let's not be practical" she
eyaded, 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. Was she the
same girl who had left her close city
room only this morning! Aadge won
dered. Somehow, life seemed 30 diff
| ferent, 80 much moro worth while.
ts,to.dor x,ho owns this gem OF q