The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-25
CUPID'S FIND.

The figure of man was sharply sil-
houetted against the little hut tnat VS.
stuck like a porous plaster on the slde
OF the mountain. He was looking down
into a gulch, that in facetlouS mo-
ment some one had named ASH Mead
ows." the name Ash" being PROBABLY
suggested BY the proximity OF the
mouth of Death Valley. It was q Wild,
rugged, forsaken country whenever
way the eye looked, and the day Wa
blistering hot, even for the region.
Aaron EaIlOWs had declared ms DeileL.
when he had first come into it, that it
was certainly located Just above the
roof Of helli''
Now he did not mind it: one becomes
used and indred to everythlng- he nao
come to the desolate place I'VE years
~ ago with his devoted wife, vowing that
he never would return TO the haunts OF
cfviliza ton until he had made the ma
which had all his life evaded him For
five weary years they had lived ike
Piutes in the desert, wanting often Tor
the very uecessaries of life, but sus-
tanned by a blind hop@a belief which
nothing could shake and nothing in the
surroundings seemed TO justify, ana
nothing either of them had seen or that
had happened gave any promise OF ever
fultlled-that here fortune would
strike them
This day the man was feeling IN fun
force that hope deferred maketh the
heart sick this day, standing at the
door of the hut while his patient wife
was busiIy preparing rude dinner m
side he felt encouragement to It's Ut
most depths and sWore to himself that
he would struggle no more, but go
back to where men were even If 1t
ultimately meant death IN poOrhouSe.
The sound Of rapidly galloping horses
woke him from his reverie- Down the
gulch they came at topmoSt speed, and
drew painting. almost falling, before
him
Are you Aaron Fallows?' one of
the riders shouted in a voice that rang
with Youth
Correct. young man." answered
Aaron. What may you want of me2'
The spokesman assisted his compan-
ion TO the ground, and the two march
ed up to where Aaron stood
They told US up above you were a
justice of the peace he said hurTiedly.
Els it true2"
i've the title. but there's no cash in
Il, so far as I've found smiled Aaron
Got a Job for me2"
Yes. Marry US quick, pleasel My
name is Jack MasOn-this is my sweet
heart, Bess Robbins. Hurry upi"
Dressed her up in boys toys. have
you2" said Aaron and the girl proved
her sex by flushing wildly Anybody
Her fatheri He objects and we've
had TO make a run for it. We've come
60 miles over the foot ranges, fording
swollen streams and most getting kill
ed. Don't waste timet"
Aaron turned TO the girl. rs it all
right?'
Yes. sir" she answered promptly.
Jacks all right and we're both old
enough Fathers only objection is he's
poor-but he's young, so what's that2
And he's sure to be a great chemist
some day."
I hope So" said Aaron. smiling at
the idea Of anything in the future be-
ing certain, ''but-helIo. they're COM
ingi Quick, you youngsters. get up
there"
He pointed to a spot Z few yards up
and behind the hut, where an excava-
ton had been dug in the mountain,
which afforded a place of safe conceal
ment. and they started to obey him.
Hold Onl' he cried, you impatient
kids. Take your horses-they' give
you away, there's a slope down-you
can lead them in
Around a bend in the road two men
appeared. riding as if for dear life A
rapid glance showed Aaron that his
proteges were out of sight of the new
corners, and he waited for them 10 draw
rein One was a man of middle age,
the other somewhat younger and burly.
Hi theret" called the burly man, who
was a few yards in advance, where's
them two boys was ahead of US"
'Boys2' answered Aaron, question
ingly. I haven't seen two boys
Which was true.
s'One of them's a GAL explained the
man This here" pointing to his COM
panion. who had ridden up. is her dad.
They're skipping- Which way did they
go7"
The dad" jumped from his horse and
stared at Aaron. I'll be darned if it
isn't Aaron FalIowsl'' he exclaimed
And III be darned if you aren't ST
Robbinsi Haven't seen you in an age.
81. What's the troubIe2"
My gals run of with a kid I don't
want for her." answered Robbins
Were after EN- to stop their hftching.
They must ha' come this way. there
amt no other Which of them forks be-
yOnd did they take2'
Want to stop them, do your" said