The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-07
THE EVENING STORY
Beany aAndrix OF the big Y.
(By Clarissa Mackie.)

10Y Sl6Ils55a AddCkic.y
II was while he was riding down
Little Bear trail that Beapy Hendrix
saw her. She was riding up the trail.
and they met at the narrowest point.
where the steep walls OF the canyon
shut out the sunlight, leaving a gloomy
tunnel through which there was barely
room for two riders to pass. Hendrix
backed his cayuse against the rocky
wall and tried to shrink his huge form
into smaller compass.
She, Edith Van Tine looked at him
from the level Of grave, gray eyes
Questioningly; she bowed politely and
then smiled. All women smiled when
| they met Hendrix's genial gaze. They
smiled in approval of the warm kindli--
ness of his good looking face, at the
strength of his great body. and at the
good heart shining through his honest.
| brown eyes.
Miss Van Tines smile faded, how
ever. as she shaw the narrow trail that
became almost q footpath as 1t wound
up the canyon, and her cheek paled.
In spite of this formidable outlook she
| urged her horse forward, bravely de-
| termfned not to reveal her cowardics
to this big cowpuncher, who sat. hat in
hand, waiting for her to pass.
you're not afraid. are you.
ma'am 2" he drawled as she hesitated.
| Not in the least. thank you." she
| 81 was about to say" he continued,
soberly. that If you're a stranger in
| these parts that this is a nasty bit of
country for a lady to get about IN
alone.''
Thank you." she repeated. still
more coldly. ''but WAS only resting
| my horse!''
| Hendrix looked curiously solemn:
indeed his features assumed a rigid
expression. One who knew might
have said that Hendrix was suppress
i ing a smile. He threw one leg over
the pommel of his saddle. thus per-
hitting his cayuse to hug the wall
more closely, and looked amiably upon
the pretty stranger. Pretty girls were
rare in Bear Creek district.
She flushed under his frank, admir-
ing gaze. and dug her spurred heel
into her horses flank with angry I'M
| wards striking fire with his scattered
hoofs. There was q faint cry from
the girl as she dashed away and in
stantly Hendrix turned his mount and
followed her.
her on the narrow trail without in
fiicting serious injury to either one OF
them, but somehow he managed to ex-
tend his length along his horse and
grasp the bride rein Of her terrified
animal.
Now" he said kindly. "just you lei
me follow you up till you get out OF
this hole; as I said before. this Is o
nasty bit of country for lady to gel
And as said before" she begaT
tartIy. with eyes fixed toward the
mouth of the canyon. I'm not afraid
Il 1--WE won't quarrel about that
ma'am." returned Hendrix calmly
here"
| Edith smiled family. Beany Hen
dirk, riding at her horses finak. couIc
see the dimple in her cheek and the
curl of her lip, and a troubled look
came into his eyes, and a deep wrinkle
found place between his broys.
As they passed out Of the canyon
and into the open. she turned toward
him. The smile had fed from her anc
there was a. cold, hard look in the
Thank you, sir, for your kindness
believe I shall get along ramously
now
ed a bronzed hand through his shock
of sunburned hair. eff you Will ex-
cuse me, ma'am," he said. with hii
slow drawl, "I'd like to say that yor
easy riding and its safer than th'
'"But I don't know the long trail;
have never been about here before,
, she returned blankly.
ct should be pleased II you will lie
me take you to the other tratl--oh
/. I'm all right" he added hastily. as sh'
. turned a doubtful glance in his direc
ton. Tn Tn. Beany Hendrix from thu
"Beany Hendrix" she repeated
! suppressing a smile.
"You never heard of me before.
dare say, ma'am; I'm only a cow
puncher," said Hendrix. with 1
logged look about his pleasan
| mouth.
your name sounds familiar" sh'
said, with a return to her stiff man
ner. II will be very grateful IL vol
will show me the other way around
Certainly" He fell into line a
her side and they rode in silence fol
several miles. Presently Edith be
! came conscious that the cowpunchel
was observing her furtively, and hel
cheek flushed. She turned indignant
ly toward him, but he was gazing
, fxedly away across the plain, although
jaw which indicated some represset
|, feeling.
1T believe he is laughing at me-
| she thought, angrily; and then mind
, full of his gentle courtesy and OF the
fact that he, was going out of his way
, to make her journey safe and pleas
ant, she turned softened face to-
| ward him. ct am afraid am making
, you a great deal of trouble" she
said.
mot at ALL" he returned; ct wa,
out looking for some stray critters
: If don't round 'em up oday viii
i, | tomorrow
THAT Is what I like about this
western country" she said wistfully
there isn't the hurry and hustle OF
/ the east, and the undying conviction
J that what isn't done To-Day will never
/ be done at all; every day is SO crowded
with events that there IS no time te
| really live!" She spoke bitterly now
, and her eyes were turned away to.
t ward the low line of serrated hills be.
fore them.
ST thought you were from thu
east" he said quietly. Where are
/ you staying?'
eat Anderson's. You like the wes
, better than the east?" she asked