Evening star., 1923-12-09

brains. My grandfather used to
have a stock farm up in the Berk-
| shires. and-well, I've always had
an idea that maybe some time
| "T see." she nodded. But why
don't you do 1t now. when you can
| enjoy It? Some time isn't any time,
is it?"
| Perhaps you're right" he said.
| ''But, after all. there's a lot to con-
slider. Stock farming isn't much OF a
career in the east. Besides, one has
duty to society and to ones family"
Yes she agreed, readily enough.
"Of course one has a duty to ones
family! BY the way, wonder If they
| are worrying about you?" Rand did
not think 1t necessary to explain that
| Anna was the only living person who
by any possibility could qualify as
family" actual or prospective.
What had she done when he had
failed to turn up for dinner? Had she
assumed merely that he had got into
bridge game; or had she become
| worried over his non-appearance, and
when he could not be found-con-
| cluded that he had fallen overheard?
He wondered how seriously. after all,
Anna would have taken his sudden
demise. She would probably have
married Tommy Burnham inside Of
year, and looked more like a Persian
princess than ever.
There was nothing Persian about
| Isabella, however,! Simple, straight
forwa unpretentious, she was
frankly Of the-west! Mighty sensible
IN her ideas on almost everything. He
looked forward with increasing de-
preston to the moment when they
must part-east to east, west to west!
They retraced their route of the eve-
ming before until once again across the
sea of mesquite the lonely ranch
house swan into view. Isabella nod
ded toward It.
"Old Tom Bixby's place." she said,
and added: "The strip of herbage
strown. that just divides the desert
from the sown!'" He turned to her.
nonplussed.
''You know that--too!" he exclaimed
what, the Rubaiyat'? or course!
We give 1t to all the kinds in the Sec
ond grade. Excuse me for quoting
it at you! It's pretty hackneyed, but,
after all, it's good old stun, isn't it,"
TITS my favorite poem!" he replied,
with grin. TN fact I've got it in
my pocket at this very moment. Z
was reading 1t just before 1 stepped
off the train" He produced the beau
tifully bound volume from his pocket
and exhibited 1t.
"A hook OF verses underneath the bough,
jug Of wine. q loaf OF bread-and thou
Beside me singing In the wilderness
Oh, wilderness we're Paradise enow!'
-he read.
She smiled whimsically.
Now we're event. she declared.
Honestly. thought should never
have suspected II Of you!'
T mean it." he said fervently. IT
| thought OF 1t lot last night as we
| sat there by the fire. I've never met
anybody half as-as jolly as you,
Isabella!"
'-Nonsense" she replied, and a faint
tinge Of red crept into her cheek.
He thrust the book back into his
pocket, not knowing what more to say.
WED best go straight back to Bar
stow" she annaunced after a some
| what prolonged silence. They're
probably horribly anxious about you
| on the train. You ought to communi-
cate with them just as soon as you
can"
TT was high noon before they reached
the junction at Barstow. As Isa-
bella ran the f1ivver up to the steps
Of the station a feeling Of approach
ing bereavement possessed him. He
had lived more in the last twelve hours
than in the preceding twelve weeks.
| and he had found, out there in the
desert, his hearts true desire. And
now he must lose her--forever. After
all, he was more or less committed to
Annai Yet down in his soul he knew
that already she meant more to him
, than Anna ever had or ever would.
Ruefully he climbed down out Of the
dilapidated flivver and held out his
. hand to her.
IT suppose It's good-bye!" he said,
with an attempt at a smile. IT can't
ever properly thank you for what
you've done-and-for what you've
taught me. You've given me q new
point Of view entirely. You must let
me write to you" He stifled the
ironic speculation as to how Anna, if
she knew the whole story. would feel
about this. "And you won't forget
me. will you? Promise"
II PROMISE" she answered, seriously.
TN not going to leave you yet, until
| I, know what train you can catch.
Tve missed today already. I shall
send the principal wire that I'm de-
tanned"
"Bullyr he exclaimed, delighted at
the thought Of another hour in her
company. It'll be gone only a min
ute."
Tho station was empty save for the
telegraph operator.
when is the next train for the
eastr Rand asked.
'Two-thirty."
MAY send a telegram For an
swer the man showed him blank.
Miss Anna Borland," Rand. began,
Sunset Limited. Was accidentally
left behind last evening when train
stopped between stations. Am all
right. Will see you Immediately ON
arrival in New York Saturday morn
ing. Clifford Rand"
The operator read It
your name Randr he asked.
That's my name" The man looked
him over.
1T s'pose you know they've been
telegraphing all over the United
States for your" Rand shook his
head.
The operator grunted.
I'VE ran q special all the way
J across to Split Pine and back last
night looking for you. Say. whare'd
You hide yoornelffs