The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-02
THE PROTECTOR OF THE NOUN
TAIN ROSE.

Strathcomb, who had made a tidy
fortune as areal estate man in an east
west for the first time. He had made
friends" with half a dozen other men
who were going through to the coast,
and, the weather being fine, they sat
car, enjoying the scenery and telling
stories.
The train stopped for water at a lone
ly siding up in the mountains. The
only building within sight, in addition
to the little station, was a cab1n, winch
stood on the slope, about fifty yards
from where Strathcolnb and his recent
lly acquired friends were sitting.
Standing at the door was one of the
prettiest mountain girls any of them had
ever seen. She was apparently about
twenty years old, and, in her simple
dress, made a picture against the back
ground of the mountains such as
Strathcomb had never before had the
privilege of feasting his eyes upon.
The girl was looking at the group Of
men on the platform of the observation
car, and there was q usefulness in her
expression that each of the gentlemen
noticed. It occurred to Strathcomb
that she was longing for the privilege
of getting upon the train and going out
of that place Oflonely grandeur into the
world where men and women wore fine
clothes and had society manners. 1t
seemed to him that he could read her
every thought and he pitied her. as
that line of Gray's,
Full many a flower is born to blush
unseen.
came back to him. He felt almost that
he would, if she had asked him to do
it, have given her his ticket and per-
mitted her to take his place on the
train while he himself remained there
upon the mountain side. Giving up to
a sudden impulse, he raised his hat.
and kissing his hand waved it at her.
They could see that the girl was
fiustered. Her cheeks Redeemed, and
she hastily disappeared inside the
cabin.
companions, a man who had travelled
a great deal in the western country
and who had extensive dealings with
the people in that section, you've Of
Tended her, and if she has any broth
ers or a father in there 1 wouldn't be
surprised if we had trouble. The
men out in this country are mighty
jealous of their women. I've seen
people shot for less than that, right in
'sPshaw." strathcomb replied. st
didn't mean to be disresp ectful to the
girl. In fact, I felt sorry for her and
simply wanted to let her know that
there was somebody in the world who
thought she was worth noticing"
1.-THE trouble is was the reply,
that you wouldn't get time, if any of
the men of her family came out, to
explain what your intention was.
They don't go much on explanations
out here. It's their habit to shoot
first and explain afterward. By George,
looki''
Out of the cabin into which the girl
had withdrawn stepped a man. He
was tall muscular, bearded and
clothed in the approved style of the
wild mountain region. Also he had a
gun
Strathcomb began to feel cold things
creeping up his spine. The man with
the gun looked at those on the tourist
car for a moment then turned, as if
speaking to someone inside the cabin.
and after that started down the hill
toward the train.
Under Strathcomb's hat there be-
gan to be a rising and bristling such
as they never forget who have expert
enced the feeling The men who Oc-
cupied the platform with him looked
at one another anxiously, but nobody
said anything.
AS the vigorous looking noun
taineer got nearer the train he in
creased his pace, and shifted his
weapon from one shoulder to the