Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-02

much interested in his business affairs. he
promptly recovered, came after his change
and forgot all about the young woman. she
was recalled to his mind. however, by re-
mark of his assistant, who went lot the
company's mail
Ferris probably got the girl in the post
office because in place like Deep Basin
good locker like Kate Ferris Is safer be-
hind bars, even If they are only these iron
ones at the post Office
But Baxter soon found that Kate was not
the sort of person to be confined through
fear of the rough element. He often met
her in the evening rambles, when both left
the town with its noise for the quiet of the
mountains. Thus they drifted into q frank,
pleasant friendship.
There was no nonsense about Kate. She
realized her beauty, but she also recognized
Baxter's standing in Boston. She had heard
of his wealthy parents and his beautiful
sisters. and she told herself with fine scorn
that she would not be patrontZed by any OF
them. In her secret heart she rather scorn-
ed Baxter himself. She had all the true
western girls admiration for v1rility and
physical strength.
Baxter grew tanned, but the hacking
cough chung to him. His shoulders took on
squarer lines. but he couldn't see two
yards ahead of his nose without his
glasses. and he was exactly the height OF
Kate. She somehow felt that she was look
ing down on him, no matter how they stood
or sat.
AS for Baxter he accepted the occasional
companionship as one of the good things
the gods had granted In connection with
this lucky western trip.
Three days before the Fourth Of July Jim
Ferris was summoned to a distant part Of
the country to Join in a hunt for two no
torious Mexican bandits. for whom big
reward had been offered. His chief wanted
the reward, and needed Jim Ferris help to
secure it. Kate rode with him to the foot
of the mountain trail.
II don't think there'll be any trouble,
even If I don't get home for the celebra-
tion." he said IF some of the boys take
1t into their heads to shoot up the town, let
'em shoot They won't do no harm unless
they get too funny. You've got Bill Jones
and Tad Wilson to call EN- down Just you
see that Bill and Tad don't get loaded
themselves"
Kate nodded her head, and they rode on
for time in silence: then she remarked
irrelevantly. Seems kind of queer the
committee didn't ask Mr.. Baxter to make a
speech or something at the celebration"
Jim Ferris glanced keenly at his daughter
Il reckon they thought 'LonZo Smith
would make better shown. 'Tain't every
camp gets state senator to make it's cele
bration speech"
Kate laughed.
Senator or no senator. you can't hear
him two feet from the platform, and for all
his little size and narrow chest, Mr.. Baxter
has got fine voice, and he has way Of
reading things that folks out here amt
used to. He was reciting poetry to me last
night up at Eagles Point, and l swear if
even the rocks around us didn't echo al
though he didn't speak any louder than we
are talking now"
Jim Ferris face turned grave There
was something heavier on his mind now
than attacking Mexican bandits. He leaned
over AMI placed his hand on the pommel Of
Hates saddle.
There amt nothing between you and
Baxter!' he asked, anXously.
Il amt forgetting anything" said Kate,
Quietly Il know my place, and Ill see
that he keeps his
AS she rode back in the evening shadows
she made a detour around the Puritan
shafts. rear which stood Bakers office.
She didn't want to see him just then. She
felt vaguely that Deep Basin was not treat
ing MIN quite on the level, but not for
worlds would she have admitted it to him.
And so dawned the glorious Fourth.
With it came the Hon. Alonzo Smith, also
Red" Thompson Tho latter was not ex-
pected and his arrival augured badly for
the days program. Reds" chief diversion