The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-06-26
TIE EVENING STORY
(By HONOR Willsie J

the nldeSt accompaniment IN the world
to a good. after-supper cigar. The
fact that all the darkies had gone into
town for the circus only made the fire
seem the more desirable.
The Confirmed Bachelor who, in
ordinary life, used the. name Of John
Maxwell, was not a native of Florida.
He was merely idlinR away few
weeks by harassing the overseer Of his
orange grove. He had eaten countless
grape fruits, had shot a 'possum and
two alligators. and was now almost
ready to eScheW the simple life and
return to his club and New York.
The only thing to recommend this
place, said the Confirmed Bachelor to
the lack-a-daisical coon dog, who had
adopted him, since his arrival, "is that
heavensi" he groaned, why didn't
knock on wood? Look at that pupl''
The yellow coon dog and the Con-
hrmed Bachelor looked from the cor
ner OF their eyes. up through the
pines The road wound slowly down
toward the ford of a tiny creek; q
ribbon of white sand on a floor of
brown pine needles. The breeze blur
red to a velvet green the needle-hung
branches OF the pines. Masses of tall
poppies, scarlet blossomed, tender
stalked, cleaned above the brown
floor. Strolling carelessly down
through the blend of color was what
the Confirmed Bachelor was irapudent-
But even the Pup must have ad-
mitted that this fluffy, frilly, dainty
appariton, in white, topped by a cop
per colored head and set off by a
ruff1ed parasol the color of the pine
boughs. was really not so bad. In
fact, the yellow coon dog gave the
Confirmed Bachelor a glance that said
plainly: Come now, at least. it's
good to look att
John Maxwell glanced down at his
outing clothes. Yes; they were i'm
maculate. Then he picked up his ak
and with great ostentation began op-
Grafton on second young pine. The
appar1tiOn paused beside the friendly
tail of the yellow dog and waited At
length, the Confirmed Bachelor stop
ped and with a great start, recognized
the existence of the girl. Perhaps the
start was because the combination of
copper colored hair, with corn flower
eyes. and a. complexion of pastel
shades, is calculated to startle. Per-
haps, the start merely betrayed irrita-
ton! At any rate, John Maxwell took
off his hat.
IT beg your pardon" said Betty.
''but can you tell me If there is one Of
those wet places near here, grown with
palmettos and live oaks and things
A bay-head, I think it's called"
There are several of them,'' replied
the Confirmed Bachelor, but, if your
idea is to visit one, I shall not direct
you to It."
Betty raised delicate black eye
brows, Mop
There are snakes there" as behtted
superior knowledge, land you'll get
your feet wet, and worst of all"
"Oh, thank YOU Interrupted Betty
with g. hooking smile, and proceeded
on down the road.
The Confirmed Bachelor glared after
her There" he growled to the yell
low dog, didn't I tell you so? If there
is anything on earth that's heady and
uppish, it's a womanl''
He picked UP his AK and as he did
SO he heard a scream from the direc-
ton which Betty had taken. With
Here, pupil" he was off down the
road.
In the middle of the road stood
Betty. Coming cumberously, yet at a
good rate of speed, toward her, was a
narrow, with a thick hedge of saw
palmetto on either side. Betty was
standing her ground bravely, opening
and shutting the green parasol and
alligator might not have minded the
girl, but the Tapping parasol was
angering him. He was a big fellow.
He would have looked large down in
the mud and water, but on land. his
crooked legs stretched to raise him two
feet from the ground, his great jaws
swapping with angry hisses the spines
briEtling along his back giving him the
look of dragon, he was a formidable
object, even to Maxwell The yellow
coon dog disappeared with one yelp, a
receding yellow streak through the
woods. AS Betty caught sight of Max
well she dropped her parasol and ran
toward him.
Save me!'' she screamed. Save MI
ssRunl" said Maxwell. Run to the
house and tell Nanny Lucy to give
you my rifle. Mind now, my rife. Be
careful of it. It's loaded" he shouted
after her.
Then he turned his attention to the
alligator. who by this time was IN
comfortably near. He took careful
aim and flung the ak. But it glanced
/ off the swapping jaws harmlessly
Then he took to his heels, the gator
with angry Kisses following at an
alarming rate of speed. AS he reached
the spot where he had been cutting
spruce he caught glimpse of Betty
among the trees. This would not dol
The alligator must be stopped. or a
sweep OF his tail might kill the girl.
With desperate haste Maxwell picked
I'D the young spruce he had just cut
then turned and with all his strength
plunged the butt end down the throat
of the gator. The massive jaws
| closed on the tree, as the beast gave
a great lunge toward the man. Max
well jumped aside, but not quickly
enough. The projecting end of the
stout little tree caught in his outing
shirt, and he was thrown to the
ground The shirt held stoutly. and
the picture that greeted Betty was
that Of Maxwell showed along the
ground. in momentary danger of be-
Ing trampled on. or dismembered.
Fortunately Maxwell did not lose his
head, though bruised and almost suf-
located.
Keep away from his tai1!' he cried
ssDrop the gun and run for help"
Betty was cool now, as she shook
her head. NO time" she answered.
1T can shoot"
1t was a desperate chance. but Max
we'll had no choice. Behind his fore
| Leg" he gasped.
Betty's task was a difficult one. The
alligator evidently little inconvent-
enced by the sapling in his throat. was