Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-25
r1M Awma Selections b. E4arrietW elles

The light was so poor that I couldn't see you
before! Are you sick? You look ghastly!T
The old man could not answer.
The stranger stepped inside the cabin.
Isn't there something I could do for you?
Water? Where can I get you a drink?"
Feebly Jem Brown pointed to the bucket,
and indicated the direction of the spring. The
young man returned with the trimming pail.
His decisive voice was clear: If you can
give me some idea of where I am, and the
general direction, I think we'd better be on our
way. Ill carry you out to the plane, and take
you to a hospital. This is the last place for o
sick man to bel"
Did you . hear the roarin' . .
overhead, JUS fore you come in? What was
III"
An airp,ane."
There was no g,eam of understanding in the
cd mans eyes.
The aviator stared at him. "Cant you
understand me? A flying machine! Don't you
know what that means? . . The invention
which makes it possible for men to travel
through the air like birds! The greatest
achievement of modern progress!"
You mean that . D.. even here on the
mountain tops I can't get away?"
Away, from what? A plane can 60 any,
wllere!"
Jem Brown clambered weakly to his feet
and stumbled to the doorway. In the center
A0 - SANAS~ ASSs
like object stood at rest. It was silent now
but around it everything seemed changed and
troubled-and at what moment might 1t not
come to life again, hideously challenging the
protesting echoes? How-how-could he get
rid Of it and of its master? Daterminedly he
faced the aviator. I'm all right have
them setbacks real often!" He gasped az q
stab of pain brought beads of perspiration to
his forehead. With visible effort he stifed
a groan. I've got a map Of this
distric'; If I give it to you . will you
go away?"
THE aviator shook his head. ct couldn't con,
scicntiously go away and leave you here
alone. The remembrance of how you look
would haunt me! You're too sick to realize
that-you need medical attention"
Jem Brown was driven to desperation: IF
you'll go away-an' not come back for a month
Ill give you the deeds to the Guayule
an on EN- I'll mark plain where the last lode
takes up again! I've knowed it for 40 year
but I learnt long since that money don't buy
you nothin' but confusion =. an I wasn't
a-goin' to have folks a~-Spoilin' this mountain
like they spoiled the reSt!"
Then, as the aviator stared at him., the old
mans eyes filled with tears: "Therell be plenty
E. SOS you can buy all the things you've ever
wanted. . But now that I've seen your
machine and know that never, any more
will there be a place where I can get
ava I'd like for to have this last month
alone on Guayule, to say good-by.
Then you can take it"
You'll do better than I expect If you live
another week." The ~aviator's voice was
troubled, perplexed: II really can't leave you:
it wouldn't be decent!"
Jem Brown dropped down on the pine
branches and stared helplessly in front Of him..
Fer a second the narrow window framed a
stretch of desert, paved in tawny gold, dotted
with sage-brush; through it a camel train
wound into the settlement-and his mother
was gone.
Followed, then, a simmer of heat waves
above shining metal rails where great locomo-
tives Numbered upon their scheduled way.
Soon Jenny's place knew her no more. !
With a feeble gesture Of resignation Jem
Brown turned toward the stranger: II guess
-. maybe . this is my signal!' he whispered.
Progress had caught up with him.
Copyright, 1921