The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-10-18
HER LAST JUMP.

name than Little Stray. Jack had found
her one cold, dark night lying in the snow
and had brought her home in his arms,
urging his horse to its utmost speed lest
death might steal his new found prize be-
fore he had looked on her face.
She was only child then, and now sh.
had grown into a tall, slender nader with
a gentle, quiet face and great soft, black
eyes, which Dick pronounced reg lar
sinners. Jack had taken Dick and lis
wife into his cabin, rent free, on condi-
ton that Mrs Dick should bestow a moth
erly care upon the little waif.
She was quite content to go about the
cabin in the mornings, helping Mrs. Dick,
and to spend the afternoons securing over
the country on her pet Beauty's back, for
Jack had taught her to ride as skillfully
and fearlessly as cowboy and had bought
her the prettiest white Arabian that had
ever been seen in the west.
Nobody ever knew where Jack came
from, nor why he came nor how he came,
nor anything about him except that he
did come But that made no difference.
Once Jack went north, and when he
came back Little Stray had grown from
child to maiden of II, and she responded
to Jack greeting in so shy, yet withal SO
graceful manner that he began dimly
to recognize an almost imperceptible bar
rier which something he could not under
stand seemed to have thrown between
them
The conviction soon prevailed in Thun-
der camp that Jack was about to make
another domestic move, and the camp was
interested and approving, as usual, where
Jaak was concerned.
So things were when Vivian came to
Thunder camp. Vivian was an unmis-
taxable 'tenderfoot." Nevertheless he
was not only tolerated, but made welcome
for jack sake. 1t was the supposition
that Vivian had been in some way CON
nected with that unknown past of Jack S,
and the possible verdancy of which had
been so generously forgiven by Thunder
camp in view of subsequent development.
Even the fact that he had been ordered
west for his health was graciously over
looked out Of regard for Jacks feelings.
AS outdoor air and exercise were held to
be the proper remedies for Vivian's all
n1ent, whatever it was-the physicians
skillfully referred it to that most conven-
lent of all maladies, " Overwork it was
necessary that much time should be spent
in riding and hunting, so every fine after
noon saw Jack and Vivian and Little Stray
out with the horses and guns.
by Jove! What a rider she is!'' said
Vivian. who had not before seemed to take
much notice of the girl.
YES said Jack, with pardonable
pride. g taught her,
Then you are swell Of teacher
She's a deuced pretty girl"
Yes said Jack gruf1y.
But Vivian did not observe the cloud
upon his face and continued:
Not a beauty. you know, but some
thing more effective-a girl with character
and charm of expression. By the way,
Jack, have you adopted this kind OF a
thing for a permaneney, or is it merely
temporary, and are you coming back to be
embraced by the arms of society"
1.-The arms of society are quite too re-
spectacle to embrace me. Society has not
been found out; l have
Nonsense. Society is always ready TO
| receive a man if he repents and gets
money And you have plenty Of money
now, Jack
! ''Things that money can buy are toe
cheap for me. -
"Ycu always were a heterodox fellow.
But you should think of the girl d."
Il do, - said Jack Iaconically.
''Then you must see the Importance of
bringing her out where she can learn
something OF the world and be cultivated
and become like other young ladies'
''See her coming across the plain? She
| is a fair mark for my pistol. 1 would
! shoot her through the heart rather than
| do what you wish
Vivian talked with the girl more after
that and usually contrived to be next her
| when they rode, and he told her how Jack
| saved his life once at the risk of his own,
and how they loved each other since with
| a love that was more than the love OF
brothers, talked OF her and Of himself.
| Inperceptibly shadow crept between
! the two men whose friendship had hereto
| fore been so pure and strong.
1,n,a .f+0
when, wearied with the restraint and
urged on by restlessness, she left the others
and rode at a swift pace toward fence
| some distance away.
They saw the slender Arabian arch his
delicate neck and go like a flash OF light
! over the fence. Then they looked to sec
| him dash away across the stretch of bare
ground, but they saw nothing. Both
sprang from their horses.
Jack was the first to leap the fence
Beauty was bending over her with human
| She lifted her hand with an effort and laiG
it on his face.
1T wasn't your fault, Beauty. YOU
slipped and fell, and you couldn't help it. .
Jack stopped 70 lift her.
"Jack, dear old Jack, - she whispered
"Take me home"
Tenderly they carried her home, Beauty
walking after with head bent sorrowfully
please go away" she said when they
had laid her down in her own room
please all goa away and leave me witt
Jack-only Jack"
They went out and left them alone.
Jack, poor OLD Jack, she said. ''It'i
all over. Don't be sorry. I am glad it i:
so. 1 came between you and your friend
and am glad to go away and leave yor
together. You will be friends with hin
when l am gone, won't youf'
Whether you go or stay, my darling,
will be whatever you want me to be.
You have always been so good to Inc
If 1 have done you any wrong dear Jack
will you forgive me before 1 go?''
You have done me nothing but good
only good, dear little one. -
He bent TO kiss her farewell, and he
narrinz breath died ON his Iins-Nau