Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-20

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platform of the small station
IN looking after the departing
- train from which she had just
alighted What fool she had
been TO leave civilization-the safe
comfortable civilization to which she
had been accustomed all her lfe--to
come West 10 marry her brother 5
friend, Aaron Ward. Fpr. after all
what did she really know about Aaron
Ward save that he was her brother :
friend and partner in the big ranch ?
And as for her brother Joe, he was al
most n stranger, TOO. Joe had left
nome for the West when Kate was 10,
and had only been home once since.
and that was last year when he came
Last TO help settle up their father :
estate. Joe was SO and had not mar
red. Aaron was &c, two years older
than Kate.
Joe Arundale had been teacher
In an Eastern college until he had
developed some trouble with his lungs
and had been advised by his physi-
clans In seek the broad spaces of the
Western prairie On the train going
West Joe had fallen in with Aaron
Ward and his mother who were re
turning from the East where they
had been TO bury Aaron's father. y
close friendship sprang up between
the older man and the boy, and after
Mrs Wards death, which occurred
soon AFTER Joe bought a half inter
est in the ranch and the two men
had lived together now for several
years.
Through Joe's influence Aaron and
Kate had carried on correspondence
which had resulted in Aaron's going
80 40 m &
had resulted from this visit, and thus
this trip of Rates. which promised to
end in marriage. or had until utter
homesick ness had overtaken her and
caused her TO wish heartily she had
not been SO haStv in making this
trip West, To add 10 her misery the
train had been held mp the night be-
fore and Kate had been obliged to
give mp her money and some precious
keepsakes Of jewelry which had he
> ionged 10 her mother. OF course she
had been no worse off than the other
passengers had been, but the heart
ache added TO the long days on the
train and the recent parting with old
friends in her home town had cast a
shadow so deep that it seemed impos-
sible for anything ever TO tighten it.
As the train rushed on out of sight
she turned expecting, Of course. to
find either her brother or Aaron wait
ing for her. But there was no one
except the tall station agent who stood
gravely regarding her, from under
shaggy eyebrows.
Left to set he inquired in a
drowSy drawl
Kate stared at him without under
standing
lie gave her friendly smile and
spat at lizard which was ambling
across the platform out of the shade.
There IL he some one along pretty
soon Joe told me you wuZ coming
Like as not his pesky car broke down.
For myself | amt got no use for cars.
A horse always wuZ and always will
he safer to my notion. But come in
Don't stand out there trying to alb.
sorb all the sunshine. If you stay
round here long you will find it can't
be done
Kate entered the small station and
sank gratefully down on the long
bench just inside the door The shade
was welcome after the binding sun.
light outside
About an hour later the station
agent came back from final look
out over the prairie and announced
that. That thar bus of Ioes is com
ing And moment later Joe drove
MS car alongside the station platform.
He rushed in and caught his sister in
his arms. The greeting on his part
was all that might be expected from a
man hungry for the sight of some of
his own people. But with Kate it was
different; she was more reserved, for
she was clinging desperately to her
determination TO return East as soon
as she could decently get away
Il had to come alone. Kate" Joe
said apologetically as they set forth.
THE sheriff came for Aaron early
this morning to go after cattle thieves
He had no choice in the matter hut Il
so. We have been having altogether
too much rustling round here lately
and the ranchmen got together last
week and determined to put q sion tC