Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-02-27

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books during the limited periods al
lotted to serious study and reading)
and. above all. her attrition at recep-
tons with another order OF men than
that she had known I'm the rough. I'M
cultured west occupied her mind so
fully that poor Dick Lane who was
putting a thought of Echo Allen in
every blow OF his pick. received only
the scraps of her attention
Dick had few opportunities TO mail
a letter and none OF them for receiv-
ing one. Unpracticed in writing. bis
epistolary compositions were crude I'm
the extreme, being wholly confined
to bald statements OF fact. Had he
been as tender on paper as ne was i'm
his words and accents when he kissed
away her tears at parting her regard
for him would have had fuel to feed
on and might have kindled into genu-
Inc love. AS it was, she was forced
70 admit that IN comparison with the
brilliant university men with whom
she conversed Dick Lane intellectually
was as quartz TO diamond
On the other hand. she contrasted
Dick In the essential point Of manll-
ness most favorably =ith the mae
butterflies Of society that lowered
around her. What ore OF them was
so essentially chivalrous as the west
ern man-so modest. so self sacrifc-
Ing, so brave and resolute and re-
sourceful? Dick Lane, or Jack Pay
son, for that matter, In all save the
adventIuous points Of education and
culture was the higher type OF man
hood. and Jack, at least. IL not poor
Dick, could hold bis own IN mental
and artistic perception with the
brightest. most cultured OF Harvard
graduates.
At the end OF the year she came
back home 10 await Dicks return from
the wilds Of Mexico. There was great
anxiety about his safety. for Geroni-
mo, attacked by Crook in the Apache
stronghold OF the Tonic basin. had es-
capped to the mountains Of northwest
ern Mexico with his band of fierce Chi
ricahuas.
Now, Dick Lane had not been heard
from in this region. When he neither
made appearance nor sent 4 message
upon the day appointed for his return.
his brother. Bud. was for setting out
instantly to find him and rescue him
IL he were I'm difficulties.
Then II was that Echo Allen discov-
cred the true nature OF her affection
for her lover-that it was sisterly re-
gard. differing only in degree, but not
In kind. from that which she felt Cor
his brother. She Joined with Polly I'm
opposing Buds going. urging his reck-
lessness as a reason. "Tou are certain
20 be killed" she said. "and cannot
lose you both" Jack Payson. for
whom Bud was working, then came
forward and offered 70 accompany him
and keep within bounds. Again there
was revelation OF her heart TO Echo.
one that terrified her with n sense
or disloyalty. It was Jack she really
loved. noble. chsvalrsc. wonderful Jack
Payson, whom, with a southern girls
intensity OF feeling. she had uncon-
sciously come TO regard as her stand
ard Of all that makes for manhood.
Plausible objections could not be
urged against his sacrificing himself
for HIS friend. with an irresistible
impulse she cast herself upon hts
breast and said. II cannot bear to see
you go"
Payson gently disengaged her arms.
Il must, Echo. II is what Dick
would do for me II / were In HIS
place"
However, while Payson and Bud
were preparing for their departure
Buck Mckee appeared I'm the region and
reported that Dick Lane had been
killed by the Apaches. He told with
convincing details bow he had met
Lane as each was returning from
successful prospecting trip in the
Ghost range and how they had sunk
their differences in standing together
against an attack OF the Indians. He
extolIed Dicks bravery. relating how.
severely wounded, he had stood of the
savages 10 enable himself to escape.
When he handed over Dicks watch
to Echo-for he had learned on his re-
turn that she was betrothed 20 Lane
as last token from her lover, no
doubt remained in the minds Of his
hearers OF the truth OF his story, and
Payson and Bud Lane gave UP their
purposed expedition.
The owner OF Sweetwater ranch,
while accepting McKee's account.
could not wholly forget the haH
breeds former evil reputation and was
reserved in his reception Of the ad-
vances OF the ex-rustler. who was anx-
ious 10 curry favor. Warm hearted.
impulsive Bud, however, whose fra
ternal loyalty had increased under his
bereavement TO the supreme passion
OF life, took the insinuating half breed
into the aching vacancy made by his
brothers death The two became boon
companions, to the great detriment OF
the younger mans morals. Mckee
had plenty Of money, which be spent
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