The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-26
TIE EVENING STORY
The Taking OF Iorena.
(By Anne Heilman.)


whins of wind from the north, accom-
panied by flying particles OF ice and
snow, grim warning that winter had
not yet renowned its sway In the
northland.
Floyd Jordan, striding down the
steep mountain trail, halted irresolute-
ly near the abrupt turning at FarrelPs
Bluff He appeared to be medftating
deeply. Suddenly he threw up his head,
squared his shoulders and hurried on.
not in the direction Of the boarding
house in the gulch, but toward Far
relPs cabin.
Farrells cabin consisted of two log
houses Joined together and chinked
with mud. There were other cabins OF
the same simple architecture scattered
over the mountain side and nestled In
the gulches. but white curtains hung
at the Farrell windows, and the wind
ward side of the living room was hung
with gay Navajo blankets.
The brown fur Of a mountain bear
was on the floor, and its mate was
spread luxuriously beneath the red
pillows Of couch. And, set like
torch in the south window.a geranium,
potted in a brilliant Indian basket,
lifted its scarlet bloom.
But Jordan felt, without seeing, this
harmony. He was looking into the
face of the girl who had opened the
door. It was a face OF light and shade,
which spoke the swift thought before
the voice found words; face to hold
a mans glance in crowd. Closing the
door she resumed her seat by the fire
without replying to Jordan's genial
greeting.
He seemed to fill the room. Six feet
two. and broad shouldered. he looked
even larger in the clumsy canvas coat,
corduroys and high laced boots OF the
prospector. He whipped his hat against
| his knee evidently disconnected by
| the girls hostile attitude.
THAT you, Floyd Jordan?' inquired
| voice from the inner room.
| Yes, Mrs. Farrell; how're you feel-
| ing?"
"Some better, I'm glad to say. Set
| down and warm yourself, Floyd. ,'Tatn't
| to be wondered at that people have
rheumatism In a land where there is
| ten months winter. If you'll shut the
door, Loreny, I'll get up and dress
Lorena closed the door.
Floyd Jordan, what you coming
here again fort" she burst out sudden
wouldn't be very neighboriy not to
drop in. with your mother sick and
your dad away, would ft?
.Didn't tell you that never would
speak to you again and that I never
| wanted to see your" she SAID nerceiy,
taking q few steps toward him. Even
blazing unjust and unreasonable anger
| the miners heart throbbed acknoWl-
edgment Of the tall, plant. reedHke
grace before him.
Eyes, Lorena. but have just a little
hope that you don't always mean what
you say"
/ Don't you think 1 mean 1t when I
| tell you I'VE heard how you Dragged
| to the boys at the store that you could
take me whenever you got good ard
| ready"
| "I never said It in that way. Some
/ +, Lad SlJif THAR
own purpose. why, I've loved you
from the first time / ever set eyes on
YOU I've been thinking OF building a
cabin on my claim-f you'll have me,
Lorena. If you won't I'll sell out and
| go to the states"
You can't go any too quick to suit
me-" answered the girl. her voice tense
| with scorn. And you can tell them
before at the store that I'm not to be
taken so easily. I'd rather die than
marry you, Floyd Jordan"
II reckon that settles IT," SAID Jor-
! dan, rising and buttoning his coat.
Please tell your mother good-by Tor
me-" and he was gone.
"Loreny Farrell, what have you been
and done?" demanded her mother,
| limpins into the room in her stocking
feet. "You knows well as do that
Floyd never said nothin' to nobody
about you'll! The Blake girls made 1t all
up; jealous cause you'd caught the
likeliest young Teller in the camp.
You've driven him away for good,
this time. He'll keep his word, he al
ways does, and go to the states"
She re-entered the bedroom for her
| shoes and Lorena stealthily opened the
door and looked after her lovers re-
| treating figure. He had almost reacn-
ed the bluff. If he passed it she knew
thing stirred in her throat. The long
stretch of trail that ran away through
| the dreary landscape seemed like her
life, and Floyd was going out Of 1t.
Her heart yearned for him: what
would her life be without him!
! "Loreny. where are your" called MrA
Farrell, emerging from the bedroom
fully shod. The girl was not in the
room. Her mother opened the door
| and looked out. But wall OF whirling
white met her vision.
| my God!" she gasped. THE child's
! She knew the risk. All morning the
storm had been brewing. and now it
/ thundered by, a veritable blizzard: the
| sort that swoops down upon the North
west Territory as late as June and as
| early as August. 1t compels the settler
| to string q wire from house to stables,
| 1t sets men circling in the snow, 1t
| catches little children coming home
| strous drifts.
A knock sounded on the door and
| Floyd entered, noisily stamping the
| snow from his feet.
Thought I'd come back and have an
other talk with Lorena," he began.
'Oh, Floyd. she's gone after you.
| cried the distracted woman. wringing
| her hands II saw her foot prints
pointin' toward the bluff. She got sorry
right after you left.
"I'll find her." said Floyd quickly;
don't worry" And he dashed back
| into the storm -,
When Lorena softly closed the kitch-
en- door. she could Just see Floyd
| rounding the BLUM
Floyd, Oh. Floyd. come back! she
| ,r;da thrown TO the stormy winds that
/ P.-u - fzirne Of her shawl into her