The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-20
TIE EVENING STOR z
With Tonka's Aid.
lBY Honore WilIsie. }


pleasant room, restlessly. She liked
the huge fireplace with whips and
rlnes above the mantel. The couches,
with the fur robes tossed across them,
and the long study table in the middle
Of the room, heaped with magazines
and varied collection of pipes, made
her forget that the nearest human
habitation was fifteen miles across the
plains.
She paused at one of the windows,
snubbing her nose against the pane,
like a child, and looked out over the
brown, dusty plains toward the noun
tains. This visit to her bachelor broth
er was suddenly proving lonely, since
he had forbidden her her daily ride
because of threatening snow. Until
today, everything on the ranch had
been so new and strange to this east
ern girl that she had forgotten to be
homesick.
The sun is shiningl" she exclaimed
aloud, to the empty room. IT IS
only that funny hazy ring around It
that keeps it from being really bright.
Richard is SO silly and funny over me,
ike hen with one chick. What IS a
snow storm anyhow, but fun I'm go
ing to take Tonka out for just little
while"
All Lee. peering from the kitchen
window, a little later, shook his pig
tailed head obviously at the sight of a
slender figure in a heavy riding habit
making its way toward the stables.
Me no like Missy glo," he said,
weather velly badi' Then with an
disdains he calmly washed his hands
of the matter and went on with his
pie making
but Tonka nosed her softly with well
come in her great eyes, and pony and
girl swung eagerly out beyond the cor
raj to the open plain. Barbara ShiV-
cred good deal at first. The air
lacked that clear invigorating quality
that had hitherto made riding de-
light. There was a raw wind rising
that penetrated her heavy habit.
we won't go far today, Tonka, she
said. with chattering teeth Just the
five miles out to the irrigahng gate and
back again"
The murky ring about the sun grew
thicker and thicker, until the sun was
a mere pale, yellow dinner plate, rest
ing on a gray blanket. The wind began
to sting Barbara's face, unpleasantly.
"Oh, deari" she said, this ism t any
fun It's so hazy I can't see the ditch
and" she turned in the saddle and
looked about in a puzzled way, I can't
see the ranch house either Why
why-Tonka, where are we?'
She looked up into the sky, but dur
ing her short moment of uncertainty
the sun had become totally obscured
and as she looked, fine, driving par
ricles of snow pelted her face. Tonka
shook her head stubbOrnly and started
off abruptly, but Barbara pulled her in.
"Silly thing" she said. Il don't want
to go to the irrigating ditch We must
get home as soon as ever we can.
But Tonka had ideas of her own on
the subject. AS Barbara pulled on the
rein she shook her head again and
started to back.
'Tonkat" scolded Barbara raising
her voice above the roar of the wind,
Il want to go home! Don't act like q
goose!"
With the aid of the whip she finally
persuaded Tonka to turn and they
started off in the teeth of the wind.
The drive of the snow was so heavy
that Barbara could not see horse S
/ length in front of her. The cold was
so intense that she felt as. if her face
were being scared. And she began to
be frightened.
1T must be a blizzard" she thought
Richard will be frantic"
For half an hour, Tonka struggled
through the binding storm while the
frightened girl on her back chung to
/ the reins with numbing hands and
urged her on. AS the cold grew I'M
bearab1e Barbara pulled the pony in
and dismounted.
I've got to walk she thought, "oT
! freeze to the saddle!''
With the reins on her arm she plung-
| ed on, her heart sinking more and
more. I'VE are lost, Tonka, she said
lost in one of those terrible blizzards!
4
her aching hands against the pony
/ side.
Suddenly Tonka lifted her head with
! a shrill whinny which was answered
from out the storm by another wn mn J;
Barbara looked about eagerly Is II
only a stray pony she thought, or Is
someone looking for me?'
out of the Whirlwind of snow came
the shadowy form of a man, like Bar
! bara, leading his horse. Barbaras heaf'
/ eTax1a great thTOb.
/ Mr. Ingrahami" she gasped.
Great heavens. Miss Barbara, what
/ does this mean?" exclaimed the man
/ turning his back to the gale and shout
| ing to be heard above it.
I'm LOST" called Barbara
This is awful" answered the man
1 his face tense. You poor child Why
on earth did your brother let you out
m such day? II shall call him tc
! account for this. And I am of no use!
/ This is my first experience with an
American blizzard. 1, too, am lost!
Rarbara's heart sank. Her month s
acquaintance with the young Engllsh'
man who was their nearest nelghDof
and who during her visit had ridden the
Is miles regularly. three times week
had inspired her with profound falth
in his CAPABILITIES. AS he owned him.
! self lost she unconsciOuSly moved a lit
/ tie closer to his stalwart figure. The
/ man pulled off his fur coat and IN spite
/ of her protestations wrapped It about
her shivering little figure
First" he said, you viii put thai
on"
mo: I won't!" she cried.
"Oh. yes you will he shouted, but
toning it firmly under her chin. Bar
bara changed the subject.
ITS lucky I didn't let TOnka carry
me on to the ditch she called. She
almost refused to turn; I really goi
mixed up with her backing. and turn
ing"
The Englishman pondered for a mo
ment 20, I say" he shouted, that's
too bad. You are the one that probably
/ got mixed up Those Indian ponies al
ways head for home, they say. as soor
as a blizzard strikes them. My horse
1 didn't know enough But wait, give
Tonka her head and see what she does
| I'm afraid we'll have to walk or freeze