The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-18
The EVENING STORY
Setting q Snare.
(Ry LitteII McCIunr.

1
The first crimson streaks were just
beginning to illuminate the gray sky
when they reached the top of the long
hill overlooking farmlands, forest and
sheltered dales. Across the valley the
dead leaves lay thick on the slope. but
below. the water-vines were still green
beside the stubb1e.
! "Oh. but isn't it glorious?" ex-
c. aimed the girl, lifting her chin to
take in q deep breath.
"It surely is, .Corinne." declared her
companion land it was bully of you
to think of such an excursion for a
G.ty chap who hasn't been up in time
to greet Old Sol for six months"
BUT l didn't bring you out so early
lust to ;, say good morning to Dame
surprise for you. Gordon Saunders"
"a surprise ?" he repeated. "WeIl,
you know I'm poor guesser."
Then I'll tell you'll took you out
"Rabbits?" he gasped incredulously.
YES" she answered. I'VE always
have rabbit on the table at Christmas
lime, and for the sport of the thing
I've undertaken to supply it this time. J"
That's Industrious of you." he com
mented. But how are you going to
do it? We have neither dog nor gun"
| "Of course not" she agreed. "but
neither is necessary-I've set a trap
you. Corinne? You set traps and
snares?"
Yes. stupid" she laughed. Brother
| rlade trap for me and I set it, all
by myself, yesterday afternoon. The
heaps of fun. Both are over there in
those pfnes.'' And she pointed to
c.ump of woods several hundred yards
distant. They're baited with onions
lraw all the rabbits in the neighbor-
hood"
What will you be thinking of
next?" he queried admiringly. But
I'm in a mood for trapping thss
rorning. Don't you know I haven't
set trap or snare since I was
boy? Let's hurry on and see what
he fair Miss Nimrod has caught
Together they went down the steep
path along the hillside and across the
ice-fringed creek at the bottom and
pushed into the thick pine woods
saunders gripped the girls arm, while
With his free hand he brushed aside
the obstructing branches as she indi-
Gated the way to the trap.
'~rhere-there it is now!" she cried
suddenly, springing ahead into little
+ ath that led through the underground.
He looked and saw long dark box
with the door down.
'I'll bet there's rabbit inside!" she
ried as she peered through one of the
perfumes in the top.
We'll soon see." Saunders said,
"A
eide rewarded his exertion.
"Oh, I've caught him!' she ex-
claimed. her eyes dancing as trium-
phantly as if she had captured a Ben
gal tiger.
He smiled at her enthusiasm as he
raised the trap and opened the door.
Thrusting in his arm, he brought out,
by the feet, large rabbit that
squealed Justify and jerked violently
TO free itself.
DO let me have him, Gordon ?''
regged Corinne.
"AlI right. but you'd better hold him
tight" he said. transferring the strug-
Cling bunny into the girls firm, white
Don't worry, he'll not get away
from me. Will you, bunny?" She |
held the rabbit up against her Shout |
der, touching his fur with her cheek. |
At once the animal quit squealing and |
lay painting In her arms.
1.-THE little dear seems to like me al |
ready" she observed.
Doubtless he does" agreed Saund- |
{ rs significantly. But that won't pre-
vent him from squealing and kicking |
We might as well kill him at once. and
lave the disagreeable part over. Wait.
I'll get a stick and end his career"
Before she could reply he started off
toward a small brush heap short dis
"Poor little rabbit" the girl MUIR
INJURED gently stroking the now thor
c ughly pacified creature. 1.-THE big,
bad man is going to kill the dear little
Inollycottoutai1 with cruel club. Well,
he just won't do anything of the sort.
So there-run for your life, bunny!"
She loosened her grip on the rabbits
legs and the animal leaped into the
air and bounded off toward the near
turned with stout stick in hand to
see his intended victim diving into the
woods a hundred feet away
st knew you'd let him get away" he
declared half angrily. "and I almost
believe you did it on purpose"
cit was on purpose" she retorted. 'I
Just couldn't stand seeing the helpless
title thing killed right under my very
eyes"
companion.
"A pretty piece of symbolism, Cor
.nne," was his comment.
"SymboIism ?" she answered.
"Yes-your letting that rabbit go.
You see what I mean? You entrap
them, you subdue them, and then II
veil, you let them CO."
ooh, the men you meant! she
aughed.
He nodded.
Indeed. Gordon. you're exaggerat-
rig the case" she protested. you
mustn't think me SO heartless as that.
Some day might not let one of them
go-that is, if I ever really did catch
MIN. since you put 1t this way
Eyes, I dare say not" he replied,
Ignoring her significant glance. But
hanging the subject, let's go over the J
+ i'll and take look at the snare? ?"
With a nod she agreed, and in a few
minutes they reached the spot. The ]
rait was gone, but the snare hadn't !
cen sprung. Critically Saunders
looked at the bent sapling, the taut
and the wood trigger. II
1.-THE rabbit that came here was a
individual!" he laughed.
He walked over the trigger, ate all