The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-08
TIE EVENING STOR r


/ "A HdSn across an open SO quick
| between cover and cover as 10 leave
only an impression OF bushy tail and
pointed nose, and then a wild chorus OF
| discovering yelps, accompanied by d
| dozen forms pIunging frantically across
the open space and into the chincapln
/ bushes beyond.
But fifty feet farther on was an out
| cropping ledge, broken by creyices and
/ tunnels into a natural and safe hiding
place for the hunted. From the time
4 the fox had been started, an hour be-
/ fore, its winding and doubling course
| had been tending gradually toward this
asylum, as Il with an idea that after
/ playing with the dogs until weary OF
/ the sport, cor perhaps feeling the need
/ of rest, it could wfisk into safety. For
the last few minutes the fox had tan
talizingly checked its speed until the
/ open paws of the pack almost closed
upon the bushy tail; then, with a sud
/ den Jaunty tilt, the brush rose into the
air as If in parting salute, and with IT'S
/ owner dropped into one of the narrow
erevices. leaving the pack yelping its
| disappointment without. A few minutes
/ later two horses with their riders
crossed the SPACE and came to a stop
among the dogs
'I am glad he escaped, even if it isn't
i sportsmanlike, laughed one of them.
Il felt sure the dogs would get him at
the open back there, they were so close.
It was a narrow escape
I'm not so sure OF that, Miss Bris-
tow the other answered. 1.-The fox
struck me as looking too fresh for such
+ dangerous propinquity to be natural.
I've an idea his plans were all laid re-
garding this ledge. and that he was
merely amusing himself with the dogs.
/ Shall I cali them off and start them in
search of a. new scent? Nothing can
draw this fox from his stronghold
now
mo; wait until papa comes. His
I hot hi
went lame, and he probably has gone
back to the stable for another. He viii
join US before long"
She touched her horse lightly, urging
him to the top of the ledge, from which
they could look down into the valley.
Allan followed closely.
1T is one of the most beautiful spots
| I ever saw he said, as his gaze swept
over the broad, fertile acres of the
farm to the lofty ridges 81 at inclosed
| it on every side. You have the grand
eur of wild, untouched nature Joined to
the charm of peaceful rural lfe-a rare
combination"
His eyes left the valley and came
back to her, with an expression in them
that made her turn away with a half
smile. Allan had been here two months
now, and in that time had learned
things that had not hitherto entered into
his plans for q livelihood. His hand
trembled slightly as it checked the res
tiveness of his horse.
/
happy she answered.; but there was
trouble in her voice. Then, with sud
den raillery; You ought to be happy,
too, Mr.. Tisdale, If, as they say, it is
prosperity that makes happiness. we
had a letter from Emmett yesterday
and he writes glowingly of your mine.
He thinks there is a lot Of money in
it. And" looking at him inquiringly,
'he writes as though he might pur-
chase an interest in the mine"
Allan'S face became grave.
Il hope not he answered. II like
your brother Emmett too well to wish
him such bad luck He preached the
subject to me once, and put him off.
I thought perhaps his management OF
1.-The mine for awhile would disenchant
him. EmmetS great fault is being too
sanguine, though, with grtmaee, 4
was somewhat that way myself, I sup
pose"
1.-THE mine didn't pay?''
1T has cost me a thousand a year
above my income, SO far, and
He stopped suddenly, for she was
laughing, irresistibly it seemed.
I beg your pardon she gasped,
checking herself with an effort. T.
something struck me as very funny,
But please go on. I will not laugh any
more. A thousand a year, you said?''
YES looking at her curiouslyi
above the income I receive from Erg-
land. I wouldn't like Emmett to incur
the same loss. AS soon as get back
!
be worth a small sum. And his face
kindling and his eyes again sweeping
over the valley and back to her face,
ST have found it. I always liked agri-
culture, but never realized it could
show up to such advantage as it does
here. My idea was that farmers had
to keep hold of pillow handles and
things. But your father doesn't dc
! anything except go fox hunting and
read magazines and listen to his fore
mans report and only this morning he
told me that he had no other resources
than the farm. II have been think
ing it all the morning. I will buy q
! valley just like this somewhere in the
neighboFhood, and be q farmer, and
with what have We can soon build
a nice house. He paused, looking
embarrassed, then went on hurrfedly
eff can make living of it-enough
for two, I meau-wil you-will you
I help me. Lois %
She had thrown up her hand, as
, though to stop him.
cried impetuously. Il had not intended
Z to tell you. But I must now. Tt would
not be right to let you go on. You
must not try farming-for a liveli-
hood. mean. Our farm looks pros
porous. and I love the valley here bet
ter than any place in the world; but
? but we have been running behind a
! thousand year ever since we bought
the place. That was what made me
laugh when you said you were losing
[ a thousand It seemed SO funny. You
must not try farming for a living. AS
: to the rest, IL" her face flushing
rosily ''am willing to help you, Allan.
: She looked at him shyly, but his face
had suddenly grown stern. He SHOOK
his head hopelessly.
f'I must take it all back, Lois,' he
: groaned. 81 cannot make living for
one But here comes your father
Mr.. Bristow refined in beside them
his face inquiring.
stHelIo. what are you waiting here
for?" he exclaimed. IT one fox has
: outwitted you why don't you start an
other? What's the matter? You look
J like a funeral"