Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-05-11
KATE
RENDERED
FIRST AID
o-.-o-~oS~So"-o~o"-o-'-o.s- i
90 by D. ]. walsh.)

N looking after the departing
train from which she had just
alighted. What fool she had been
to leave civiliZation-the safe comfort
able civilization to which she had been
accustomed all her life-to come West
to marry her brothers friend, Aaron
Ward. For after ALL what did she
really know about Aaron Ward save
that he was her brothers friend and
partner in the big ranch? And as for
her brother Joe, he was almost stran-
ger, too. Joe had left home for the
West when Kate was sixteen, and had
been home only once since, and that
was last year when he came East TO
help settle up their fathers estate.
Joe was thirty eight and had not mar
Red While Aaron was twenty-six,
two years older than Kate.
Joe Arundale had been teacher In
an Eastern college until he had de-
veloped some trouble with his lungs
and had been advised by his physl-
clans to seek the broad open spaces of
the Western prairie. On the train go.
ing 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. A close
friendship sprang up between the
older man and the boy, and after Mrs.
Wards death, which occurred soon
after, Joe bought half interest in the
ranch and the two men had lived to-
gether now for several years.
Through Joe's influence Aaron and
Kate had carried on correspondence
which had resulted In AarOn's going
East to see Kate. mutual liking
had resulted from the visit, and thus
this trip of Hates which promised to
end In marriage, or had until utter
Inconsistencies had Overtaken her, and
caused her to wish heartily she had
not been so hasty in making this
trip West. TO add to her misery the
train had been held up the night be-
for and Kate had been obliged to
give up her money and some precious
keepsakes Of jewelry which had be-
longed to 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
II shadow so deep that 1t seemed i'm
possible 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 waiting
for her. But there was no one except
the tall station agent who stood grave
ly regarding her, from under shaggy
eyebrows.
Left TO set?" he inquired In a
drOwsy drawl.
Kate stared at him without under
standing.
He gave her friendly smile and
spat at lizard which was ambling
across the platform out of the shade.
"There'll be some one along pretty
soon. Joe told me you wuz coming
Like as not his pesky car had broke
down. For myself | amt got no use
for cars; a horse always wuz and al
ways will be safer to my notion. But
come In. Don't stand out there try
ing to absorb all the sunshine II
you stay round here long You will find
1t cant 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
sunlight outside.
About an hour later the station
agent came back from a final look out
over the prairie and announced that
THAT thar bus of Joe's is coming"
And a moment later Joe drove his 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 man
hungry for the sight Of some OF his
own people. But with Kate It was
different; she was more reserved, for
she was. cllnglng desperately to her de-
termination to return East as soon us
she could decently get away.
81 had to come alone Kate" Joe said
alphabetically as they set forth. 1.-THE
sheriff came for Aaron early this
morning to go after cattle thieves. lie
had no choice in the matter but to
go. We have been having altogether
too much rustllng round here lately
and the ranchmen got together last
week and determined to put stop TO
It. | don't know when they will be
back from the raid"
They jolted on In silence for some
miles, each busy with his own
thoughts
Suddenly Joe turned and looked at
Kate and at the look Of dumb misery
In the girls eyes he said;
81 know all about It, Kate. This
is too big change for you. I've
should have known better than to ask
It Of you. Aaron Is a good fellow and
I am sure he will not hold you to any
promise you have made. II you want
to go back you shall go tomorrow.
There is train leaves here at noon.
I will see that you make IT,"
1t was as If he had read her mind
Kate stared at her brother almost with
unbellef.
"You are kind joe" she murmured
with trembling lips. "Pm sure no one
could be kinder. OF course am act.
Ing outrageously, but-but, oh. cant
explain 80 you"
"Don'l try, sister" Joe said. "Just
let II ali 60 Try to rest all you can
until get you to a place where you
can really rest"
Joe, though apparently absorbed In
his driving. WIS in reality going over