Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-07-28
the LOCKED CATE
More Effective Than the Intend
ed Ride From the Station.
BY RUTH EDWARDS.

BY RUTH EDWARDS.
''Well. neverw Gladys sat down on
the bank OF the little stream aud gaz.
ed despairingly at the rustic bridge
above her. III that isn't just like him.
No Thoroughfare' and the gate lock
ed and too high 20 climb. Now. what
ON earth am to do anywayT
The whispering wind and the lap
ping waves gave her no reply. and.
pulling n letter ont of the front OF her
blouse. she read 1t for the third or
fourth time that day. Ii seemed to re-
store her self confidence. She laughed
TO herself wlckedly. Hum. Mrs. Ora
ham IS n dear. but fancy I've fooled
that conceited Jack OF hers. No. thank
you: no four mile drive with him.
I'm down here.sto be sure. but | won't
speak two words to him all the time
stay II l can help 1t. SO. Oh. dear,
wish had boat"
As II In answer to her desire a red
canoe shot out from beyond the bend
and came noiselessly down the river.
man sat ln the stern welding tho
paddle with swift grace Gladys
arose among the long grass and the
daisies. Her mind was made up.
IL beg pardon" she called as he
came abreast of her. Can YOU tell
me If there is way OF getting TO Mr.
Graham's estate except by this bridge?
1t seems TO BE closed"
The man in the canoe rested his pad
Gle across his knees and gazcd at her
admirlngly.
Why. p he began. then stopped.
There Is an approach 10y the road no
said, built is quite two miles to the
other side"
oh" she said. II know. But Eve
walked SO far already" she glanced
rucfully down at her dusty patent
leather ties.
Would YOU allow me?" he asked ca.
gerly. Il could take you across In my
ennoe"
She bIushed charmlngly. II hate to
trouble you."
Il assure you It would give me the
greatest pleasure" he said. with an
other admlring glance.
with II dcHterous stroke or two he
brought The graceful little craft UP TO
the bank and landed. He was tall and
brown ana broad shoulderCd. and as
he stood looking down at her he saw
little slender girl with the longest eye
loshes that ever dropped over II pair OF
gray eyes. in a dark blue foulard. bare
headed IN the golden sunlight. big
black hat held in enc hand On her
forehead aud around her ears danced
little trunnt wisps OF curly hair
the
piled the gay cushions at her back.
then stepped IN after her.
Where are you going?" she asked
las he pointed the canoe upstream. Il
understood you to say you would take
me across" she added. with some
stateliness
That's such Il nasty place TO land"
he replied apClcgetically. ITS much
better Il little farther up"
His dark eyes sought hers. and they
both laughed. IL was obvious to the
most casual observer that the sloping
shore OF the other side was most ad-
mrably adapted for Bleaching the ca
noe.
You seem well acquainted with the
river she said demurely do you
know the GrahamsE"
He did not answer Immediately.
Yes; charming woman. Mrs. Ora
ham," he admitted at last
Oh. yes; lovely. It's pity her son
doesn't take after her." Gladys re-
Piled. with high scorn.
Her companion grlnncd. ITS evil
dent YOU know him." nc said.
well haven't seen him in years.
but when saw him last ne was abso-
luiely the most d.sagreeable. most con
ceited and altogether most hateful boy
| ever cane across" GLADYS sat up
quite straight among her cushions
with sudden energy.
Poor jack" murmured her cOmpan-
ion. "S,ilI. If you haven't seem him
for years ii isn't impossible that he
has improved"
Improved! Well. I'm sure hope so.
There certainly was room for improve
meut But DON'T believe he has The
idea of utting people ont by locking
up that bridge the way he has, IT,
just like him. SO afraid ANY ono
would get into his domains. just as
though any one with sense would want
to-"
"EXactly. But possibly o." wants 60
keep out thot class OF people supposed
10 be Drawer than angels. you luDv
"FOolsT she questioned Then ihe.
both laughcd again
you're not very polite" She .a.6.
How can you expect wc 60 lr sym
pathetic when The bridge l..'ug lu,.u1
has given zoe tlGs pleasure.
or she exclaimed. wilH i"-r.tu.
Tons eyes. "Auyway / fofaifD sou
but II l'd had my way / shouldn't Hs,c
1cyn here $40 aH."
"%ow its you that ARC iHlo...c,> Do.
said
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