The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1932-10-07
Dandelion Jim
By cLARIssA MACKIR
60 by Mcclure Newspaper syndioats.l
(WNU Seryice)

TT WAS a decided shock for Cor
nelia Meade when she arrived at
the little red prairie station where
she had expected her uncle or one
Of the family to meet her, to find a
perfectly strange young man In cow
boy clothing and broad hat In his
hand, bowling before her.
Miss Meade?" he asked pleasantly,
and when she bowed he added, "Mr.
Fisher was very sorry that he could
not come himself but his bad knee
has bothered him today and he
thought 1t best to keep it very quiet.
Excuse me, please, but I must see to
your baggage--if you will give me
your checks-thank you."
"Who does he remind me OFT" asked
Cornelia, and, finding no answer,
flushed little at her odd interest in
this cowboy attached to her uncle's
ranch. Cornelia Meade rather prided
herself on her aloof attitude toward
young men-she was simply indiffer-
ent to everyone of them. Sometimes
her thoughts did steal away from her
stern keeping and she would remem-
Der one summer when they stayed at
a farm and she had met boy-a
farmers lad several years older than
herself, who had been the most charm
ing playmate a small girl could have.
There were other children but none
Of them had the charm that young
"Dandelion Jim," as they called him.
possessed. Cornelia had never seen
him or heard OF him again.
Ready, Miss Meade?" asked the
young mans CHEEKY voice, and she
turned to find large motor car in
the back of which were her trunks.
He knew how to drive and 1t was
only half hours stiff ride, fleeing
like the wind itself, with no fear Of
traffic officer, before they entered the
wide gates of comfortable ranch
house, with Uncle Paul and Aunt
Kathie waving from the broad YER
anda. She was warmly greeted and
then they explained that both the chill
dren happened to be away from home
for few days.
"They did not expect you quite 80
soon, dear, and they will be so dis
appointed" said Aunt Kathie, "but
they will be home at once. AS soon
as we received your telegram, I tele-
phoned to Kathie and she will be here
this evening. Dick and friend will
arrive on the morning train. Paul,
did you introduce Jim to Cornelia P
Jim," she called to Cornelia's driver.
"Yes, Mrs. Fisher" he said smiling,
and Aunt Kathie said, "Cornelia, this
is one of our best friends. Jimmy
Lyon, foreman of the Barb ranch I"
AS Cornelia dressed after her cold
bath week later she thought Of the
week at the ranch, and her thorough
enjoyment of all the sports Of that
outdoor land. She had written her
mother that she would forego the trip
to Europe this year that her sister
and parents were taking, IL she might
only remain out here with her uncle
and aunt.
They were merry crowd with Dick
and Kathie home and Dicks class
mate, Jack Hart. There was to be
a dance that evening at a nearby
ranch, and they were all going, even
Jim Lyon confessed that he had con-
sidered 1t. To tell the truth, this an
nouncement made Cornelia very hap
py, for she was growing to like Jim
Lyon more than she would have cared
to confess. Little by little she had
extracted information from the family
Jim Lyon was really from the East
and he was like one of the family,
this extremely good-looking young
man, whom all the cowboys called
Dandy" and whom Cornelia had
found looking at her from wistful blue
eyes when he thought she was not
glancing In his direction.
When they came home together aft
er the dance, Mr.. Fisher winked at his
wife and murmured: "Wonder what
Cornella's mother would think If the
girl married our ranch foremanT
Aunt Kathie laughed comfortably.
"If she knew what we know, Paul,
she wouldn't say word-how could
she? Here's Jim-as rich and well
educated as any of them, working for
US summers because he likes the life
l suppose, though, ii he should marry
Cornelia, If she would have him, l
mean, he would not come back here
very often"
Perhaps they would both come
back" said her husband sagely.
And the very next day 1t happened.
Cornelia and Jim, riding toward Sweet
Springs, dismounted there and rested
In the shady spot.
please tell me your whole name,
JIM" said Cornelia suddenly.
Jim Lyon looked at her with eager
blue eyes. my name is Daniel Don
aid Lyon. named for two uncles-my
nickname has always been Dan D.
Lyon!"
Il wish it was Dandelion Jim,"