Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1909-11-27
y Bill'c y
SunbOnnet
He Thought II Was Kate
Who Wore IL. but Ii Wasn't.
By BELLE MANDATES.
Copyright, 1899 by Associated Lit
erary Press.
By BELLE MANDATES.

= NA1Ae AANees II
:
1t was morning in Idaho. and the
sun was beaming pleasantly upon Bar
~ Vail as he rode alongside the big
irrigating canal that he had been sent
10 inspect.
Many settlers on the reservation.
Jim|' he asked the foreman.
They are coming now that they see
the canal is a go. The nearest one Is
Judge Rand. His shack's up yonder.
He's in luck. We go right through his
ranch"
Judge Rand, Vail wondered II It
could be the same man he had known
dong ago. He concluded it was not
possible
Which way do take to his ranchY'
he asked.
Hes generally clearing sagebrush
this time OF day. Follow the canal and
you'll likely run on him"
Vail rode on. fitting his sombrero
back and humming a love tune. He
was in a contemplating mood this
morning, and the word Rand" carried
him back To the east, where he had
been born and bred, but whose dust he
had shaken from his feet five years be
fore. At that time he had been i'm love
with Kate Rand, an imperious, self
willed girl one fateful day she had
announced her intention of going To a
masquerade i'm the character and dress
OF page. His young. conservative
scruples were Mortified. He objected
and when she persisted I'm carrying out
her intention his dictatorial attitude
moved him 10 break the engagement.
Immediately afterward he secured an
appointment as civil engineer I'm the
west. Lately his love affair viewed at
long range appeared a very boyish ar
fair.
When he came upon the solitary fg-
ure digging dogGedly at Il resisting
root he recognized the man who had
come so near being his father-in- law
There were mutual rccognitions OF
pleasure. and then the Judge explained
that he bad been caught i'm the fnan-
cial coil OF Wall street and had lost all
his worldly possessions.
Just enough left" he said. "to make
payment on 100 acres here. which /
shall put to potatoes. The spirit OF the
west has caught me, Barry. / wouldn't
go back into Wall street purgatory for
any consideration"
After Vail had related his own cxpc-
riences and inquired after the fortunes
Of mutual friends he asked almost
sheepishly:
Did Kate come out here with youf''
The judge was silent for moment.
Then he said, with n sigh:
Can you picture Kate I'm the print.
tive life? She had an opportune invi-
tation to accompany some relatives on
trip abroad"
And YOU live out here alonef" ex
claimed Vail pityingly
mo. have my helper. Bill. wa
are very comfortable-a little shack for
q living room and dining room com
bmed, two sleeping tents and an out
OF door oven-a place for these parts"
But Vail was not listening. His at
tention was concentrated on slender
hgure that was approaching in the dis.
lance The figure was clad i'm khaki
trousers. blue shirt, a red kerchief ana
sunbonnct
WHO in the world is that?' Inc asked
The Judge turned hastily and looked
confused
"Ob, that's Bill! want him TO go to
the next ranch on an crrand for me.
Excuse me moment 1 will be back. "
lie FASTENED toward the sunbonncted
figure. aud after moments conversa-
ton the figure turned ana went the
way from which II had come.
Your Bill doesn't look equal to
much hard work" observed Vail drvIv
'BiIIs all right mt farm work or
housework.' assured the Judge. Hes
wiry. willing. enduring and. best Of all
intensely interested in the development
Of the ranch"
You see good many queer sights
ih Idaho remarked Vail. but RI
swear J never saw q man or lad wear
ing a suubounct"
biII lost his one aud only sombrcro
90 q reckless ride last week. He went
TO- the nearest ranch 90 buy or borrow
ore" but The only supcrhuous bcadgear
DO had was this suubOnnct. To- which
ne IS quite attached. as he is a little
fearful of sunstrOkos."
We'll. 1 must return 90 the canal /
intend to be ucighborIy. Judge"
"Of course. Let me see. Come over
tomorrow to dinner"
Vail chuckIcd softly MS me rode
nuay.
i wonder il the Judge thought he
could string me chat way ] have n
fcry hrm conviction that Biu is Kate.
ana. remembering my boyish horror of
male attire the Judge headed her or
] suppose ho tuougbf be- bad deceived
mc with IBIS cva-I,o statement about
her trip abroad aud invited mo tomor-
row when he VIII take pains TO have
BilI. alias Kate absent know Of
mo- reason why wo should not meet iu
friendly fashion ! know ! admire
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