Evening star., 1909-05-01

to the camp of the city people in the
J alfalfa. When hey rode in. sophronia
slipped from her donkeys back and ran
forward to whern the city gentleman was
standing. Please, SIR" she said pant
ing with her hard ride please sir. I'm
willin' tub sell Straps" She held out the
: bride reins to him. her face very pale
but determined
"W-h-a-t!" cried the city gentleman.
gazing down in establishment at the little
pink apron. you're willing to sell yoIr
donkey? Well well. well.'
Yes. sir said sophronia. pas sick
an ma needs the money"
The city gentleman put his hand into his
pocket very slowly and drew out big
twenty dollar piece. And you're selling
him to help he said. holding out the
gold. We'll. you are a brave little
woman"
Sophrona took the money and holding
it very tightly in one fist turned to give
J she said. putting her arms around the
long. soft nose. good d-bye" She laid her
wet cheek sxainst him for a moment.
kissed him and then without a word
mounted behind the Indian-and was
gone!
1t was the boy who gave Mrs. Powers
the twenty-dollar piece. and she took II in
great surprise. There was NJ time to ask
questions, however. and she put on her
bonnet as quickly as she could and helped
the Indian lift her husband into the
stretcher They were ready TO. the jour
ney to weaverville.
But where was Sophronia who was TO
ride the horse in the lead? Mrs. Powers.
calling loudly. began to search for her
everywhere. After looking through both
rooms she went to the back door and
shouted toward the barn. There was no
answer Then she hurried out to see II
anything had happened to the child. As
she turned the corner and came in sight
of the stall that had been the home of
Curled up and shaking with sohs. Soph-
ronia lay on the straw-covered ground.
her face hidden in Straps old saddle
blanket
One afternoon. four weeks later. Soph-
ronia sat on the stake-c -d-rider fence in
front Of the cabin, thoughtfully swinging
her feet. She was thinking Of Straps and
wondering where he was. She knew the
city folks had gone. and, of course. they
had taken him with them--out into the
big world that she and he had viewed 8,
often from the top of Bella vista. So
she would never see him again. ride the
pull the long, silky ears. And at the
thought, with swimming eyes and qu.v-
ering lips, she drew her sunbonnet far
over her face.
Just then she felt hand gently touch
her shoulder, and her father spoke wall.
Suffronee, he said. isn't this tn purtiest
day? Sh'u'd think yed .e of ridin'
aroun' on Straps instead Of sittin' here.
Whar is the little feller. enyway?'
She hesitated a moment before she
answered. Hes gene." she said at last.
Gone" exclaimed her father, wharf"
"I-I-sor 'im.' faltered Sophronia,
when We was SICK
Mr.. Powers did not answer. But as
he leaned against the fence. the tall pines
and the manzanitas blurred and danced
. before him and he cleared his throat sew
eral times.
Then. in the long pause that followed.
Sophronia suddenly ..eted her head and
listened. What was that? From up the
trail had :ounded harsh. prolonged saw
ing like the big wheel Of lumber mill:
"Haw-hee-haw. Her heart thumped
wildly against her pink apron as she
strained her eyes toward the edge OF
woods, listening eagerly for a second cry
There it was again. "Haw-hee-haw."
Could it be?-yes. ii was-Straps voice.
Sophrona nearly fell off the fence in
her excitement and by the time Straps
had come into sight across the clearing
calling his name at every breath. Mr.
Kooser was on his back and let him come
at allop.
moment Of joyous rushing together.
and Sophronia had her arms around the
donkeys neck and was kissing him and
sobbing in pure happiness.
Hes yourn' said Mr.. Kooser. as he
dismounted; take i'm Then he turned
to Mr. Powers, who had come up: Les
go In he said, Il reckon they'll want
to talk spell. Ye see,' he went on. as
they started for the house. Il brung in
doawn cause that city man sed tub me.
sed he. Tibet little Powers kid was go
brave an onselfish. thet II jes' leave her
this here donkey as a present when 60
-tuh kinda square things up