The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-16
THE EVENING STORY
AZ az GuIch.
LBy Frank = sweet.l

Persis, ward Of the late Spencer Baird,
Of the Three Bars, rose from the stiff
fened form and glanced about with
white face. She was only two weeks
from boarding school, but in thoss two
weeks things had happened. Spencer
Baird had had a bitter quarrel with his
son and had disowned him. and then
had sent a peremptory summons for his
ward, wishing to see her before he died.
the telegram stated.
In this short space she had made the
long journey, cared for the dying man
as she could. and, against her protest.
been made heiress Of the Three liars
and the other property, and now death
coming suddenly, she was alone on the
ranch, with all the cowboys watching
the herds at the dry season bottom
lands, a days journey away. The owner
had been too i'll for removal, 50 had been
leIt to her care and the cooks; ana the
COOK seeing his opportunity, had loace
q morse with booty and ridden away.
6ersis did not discover 1t until the man
was a mile from the ranch house, ana
then her guardian lay dying.
AS she rose from the motiOnless form
she hesitated moment, then went cut,
closing the door reverently behind hcI,
Il might be two days. perhaps three,
peIore any of the cowboys would re-
turn and she must have help.
The corral was only few yards away,
and in 1t was a we'll broken horse which
had been given her by Spencer Baird.
She had only a vague idea of the cow
boys position, the direction and that it
was a days journey with herds, and
from a few words of the cook she knew
there was a small frontier town off thlt
way somewhere, but whether this she
OF beyond the dry season bottorl she
did not know.
Another thing she did not know, and
that was the fickleness of the Dakota
weather. Though late in October, 1t was
Ike a June morning when she started
across the prairie; two hours later a
chill Whit of wind touched her Lightly,
and there was a haziness blurring the
horizon behind. But she was bending
over the horses neck, urging him 10
greater speed and thinking of the rigid
form behind. and she did rot notice I'M
til whirl of the fine snow struck her
face, apparently from a clOudless sky.
Ten minutes later she was in the midst
Of a Dakota blizzard.
After that there was nothing but to
urge the horse on-no direction, no pos
sibility Of turning back against such
fury only just to trust to the amman s
instinct, and not think.
But strange things sometimes happen,
even in a blizzard which seems to hold
nothing but death Perhaps it was
chance, possibly something else, maybe
merely the horses SUPERIOR sense OF
direction; but at length, when the giSt s
body had grown numb and her mind
was beginning to wander, the animal
stopped suddenly with his nose pressed
against a door.
And it almost seemed as if she were
expected. for the door vas flung open,
and eager, solicitous hands lifted her
from the saddle and hurried her IN
side.
1.-THE Door dear!v wonan's voice ex-
claimed. between sobs and laughter
Who'd have thought of her being
caught in a storm like this? But II
was brave of her to keep on. And ne 5
a good deal worse off, for he nasn {
sensed thing since ne was look from
the horse Just before the girl came
It's no wonder, though. for. he was FAC
ine. a blizzard with only summer CLOTH
irg on. But conne''-bTislsl ~ bring her
into the parlor. She won't have time for
any changes, and she can rest after
wards. IT'S a half hour late now, and
the preachers in mighty hurry TO ger
away to a dying job.
In the parIor several persons were
waiting expectantly, and on c9ucn
near them a young man vas nan IE-
clining. apparently asleep But rom
time to time he stirred uneasilys an1 ms
half closed eyes gazed about in a daZeI
sort of way. He was assisted % nle
feet and Persis led to position besl.le
him then an old man slipped IN IRON l.
of them and began to read hurIlediy
from a book. Presently he turned to tue
DO you take this young woman to
he vour wife2. he asked.
.sWoman-out in this wild country,
nurnured the young man, needs nelp-
OF course give her my llfe-eYef thi"i5
7 cau do-glad to. Yes, yes OF course
"Aud YOU to Persis. do you accept
this young man to be your lawful nus
Persis gazed about inquiringly.- and
into her number mind penetrated tns
thought that they were expecting heg
to say yes so she mulIsAeu 80 ''--
= 1Tbere were a few more quick SEN
fences. a perfunctory congratulatior.
and then the old man bumped hllnse4L
anxiously into his overcoat-
ssSee you again in the morning. ~
said to the young man -, -,
a.Yol1 can let the fee go until then;
No time to wait now. Goodby all ana
thank you. Mr.. Wells, 70 theH nus
Tor helping me so in this 80
'ss-rbaf's all right" answered the most
~rood-ra t11redly. I'm glad to help you
n thing of this sort; but you re nus
taken about the name, IN IN J ,+be9
Briggs. Sam Wels IS On elS
side of the street. -. he
humping process. -,
Isn't this the Ravine ...-...
40. it's the Gulch. The RaVlne 3
'e What VIZ in CONSERVATION. And ISM
+,,is y nan nan vance Green Of the two outfit
who who made an appointment with me oy
NO. it's young Baird an, and t | tni me
girls the old mans ward gu 1i IN :
give Give : any names. so I thought It was
Eli rigllt It seemed natural the son
am ward should get married, 9 nd VII
the old man sick and the son SEM 4. on on
fi5fs was the only way. Well, IN SUI
IRENE disgust, you've certainty made
mess Of II. What! Going
ssYes. I must The old man looko1
a. the figure which was again reclining
On the council. lapsing into uncon-
s,io,,sness and at the girl, now seated
and gazing about wonderingly. NO
nse tryIng to explain to them now" he
- M he IN fonorrOW eCo-.lIG