The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1923-07-12
CHAPTER 4
The Choice.


II was a wonderful thing 10 be
twenty-three, full OF hope and ambi-
ton, and In the wide out-of-doors
more wonderful still TO possess the
glorious memory of nearly two years
in the hospitals OF France. six months
Of that time just behind the American
fighting line. Yet the girl was not
thinking of this then as she sat there
alone at the edge of the ravine, gaz-
ing silently off across the dull leagues
OF desert TO where distant blue
range of mountains cut of the view
with their ragged SUBMITS. while
arching over all hung the clear Arr
zona sky. slowly turning TO purple.
She compared that sun-kissed vista
with other sunsets In France and Ger
many. when the ground was yet red
with the blood OF sacrificed manhood
Her heart ached sim with the sad
memory that would not dle-hours Of
toll, scenes OF suffering. But this
mood had also passed away. and now.
although her eyes were still upon that
outspread picture below. her thought
had centered upon the present in
dull wonderment at the strange situa-
tion surrounding her why had she
ever listened to the plea OF old Tom
Meager. back there in Chicago. and
finally. partially from pity. partially
from that new love Of adventure en-
gendered within her by service across
the water, agreed TO come west with
him? OF course. she never had
dreamed what II really would be like
life on this vast isolated ranch along
the southern border. with the drear
desert stretching away on every side
from this little oasis OF water and
grass. Tom Meager had never told
the whole story be had dwelt on the
loneliness OF his sick wife. the chance
she had OF regaining health. with
proper nursing and care: the rare
beauty Of the sunsets. the wonderful
glow OF the cool desert nights. the
Wild. free existence Of the range. filled
With excitement and dash Of danger.
Z all had appealed e. her sfrangely-
he service. the complete change in en-
the escape from the hum
irum life OF the Marine hospital. The
pay was good, the opportunity excel I
ent. and she had said ''yes" without I
lalf realizing then what II all meant. I
But she realized now. Those first
ew weeks had been glorious indeed. /
he found everything new. attractive.
inged with romance and color. SHE I
Iked Mrs Meager and discovered
er task to be an easy one. her time
argely at her own disposal But Il
vas lonely. terribly lonely: and. after
hose first few weeks. nothing seemed
D occur 10 break the duh mon0tony.
/ was sixty miles over a haif-obIit-
rated desert trail TO the nearest town.
nd that little more than a general
tore and a cattle corral. The only
nix between there and the civilization
he had left 20 the eastward were the
listening rails OF the railroad.
Day by day, week following week,
le saw the same faces heard the
ime voices Riders from the outer
lnge came In with their reports.
-inging the tales 81 Mexican raiders.
: Of cattle strayed into the desert.
'henever she could she rode about
ith old Tom Nearer. IN and our the
wines. and occasionally far beyond
TO the vast sand plains. listening 70
$ quaint tales OF adventures. and {
.lping him round up bunches Of :
rnyed stock. she became expert In ]
2 saddle. learned 70 use a gun skill 5
iiy. and even picked up some knowl-
&c Of the lariat Thus. little By Z
tie. she had adapted herself 10 the n
ugh life. determined 10 keep her o
'rd- bnt nevertheless growing con &
Infly more and more beartsick. q
Ther Tom Measer came 10 his