The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-03-29
The EVENING STORY
In the Pasture.
(By Fife Stevens.)

are one, ana the worst of it is ii
can't deny it,"
There was note of sorrowful re-
greet IN Jessie Leighton's voice as she
uttered this decision.
I know I am coward" Jim Bar
low acknowledged humbly, as he saun-
tered along the country lane beside
her. i've been afraid of things ever
since I was frightened so in that hor-
rible railroad accident when I was a
little chap. Try as I may can't seem
to help it,
Aunt Martha says a man that's
half man should be able to protect
woman from every danger" Jessie
continued, as if she had not heard her
companion. "And a coward never
could do that. Why, Jim, in battle
you'd run away the first minute you
lslghted the enemy, before even single
gun was fired; you know you would"
Jim Barlow's handsome, bronzed
face flushed with anger
"Your Aunt Martha hasn't ever
needed any man to protect her. he
jerked out. What does ar old maid
know about what a man should or
should not do, anyway? And there
| isn't any war, nor likelihood of it,
that I know of. so I don't think you
need fret about whether I could face
| the enemy or not"
Nov, don't get cross, Jinn,'' Jessie
| begged ST didn't mean to be unkind.
/ suppose you CAN neIp hot D0lnS
brave. But when a girl trusts her
whole future to a mans keeping she
wants him to be brave-she wants to
| be able to look up to him and respect
him.
I'D make you good husband. Jes-
| Sic" Jim pleaded earnestly. I'm not
a half bad fellow, and I've a fairly
good education, and I'm not afraid to
work, either; and to my thinking that
icounts for more in these days than
mere physical bravery. I own one of
| the best farms around here, and have
something in the bank besides. I can
give you as comfortable a home as a
| girl could wish. 1 hate to see you go
on drudging at school teaching, year
| after year, when I know you detest it.
If you didn't care for me it would be
bad enough, but could bear it like
man, and not say a word more. It's
the knowledge that it's only my cow
ardice that's keeping us apart that
nearly drives me crazy. If l could
only do something to prove to you that
could be brave-that could protect
you from every danger-but can't,
| can't"
! Jim's tones had become tragic, and
his face showed the anguish he felt,
| though Jessie could not see that in the
fast gathering darkness.
His words smote her heart, however,
| and the tears filed her blue eyes.
please don't take it SO hard, JIM
she besought him self-reproachfully
| "I'd do as you want me to in minute
| if I could. Perhaps some time you'll
do something that is really brave and
| then" Her voice faltered and died
J out.
Jim plunged forward in gloomy 81
lence. He knew his own limitations
| too we'll Besides her unfinished SEN
tence showed him her hope of bravery
| on his part was small.
| AS Jessie quickened her steps to
keep pace with those of her silent
companion, she heartily wished that
she had not permitted Jim to see her
home. She might have known what
would happen. This made the third
time Jim had proposed to her, and it
was very hard for her to keep on re-
fusing.
The two young people were so alb
sorDed by their own unhappy thoughts
that they failed to notice the fast
gathering clouds, which made it much
darker than the hour warranted. until
Jessie was brought to a sudden realiza-
ton of her surroundings by big drop
of rain on her face
/ "Oh, jim, 1 do believe it's going to
rain,'' she cried, in dismay.
That's so.' said Jim, arousing him
self, and scanning the sky. Looks
as if we might have quite a down
pour
"Oh, what shall we do?' gasped
Jessie. 1--WE are half mile from
home around by the road, and there
isn't house near. My best hat will
be spoiled
ssWe'u have to run for it, guess"
Jim declared.
Couldn't we make a short cut
through Farmer Gifford's pasture?"
Jessie suggested. His creatures are
all in the other pasture now, you
| know
1.-THE very thing" Jim agreed.
He let down the rickety bars, and
| the two started across the field.
| When they reached the middle of
the pasture Jessie came to a full stop,
| clutching her companions arm fran
| tically, and shrinking close to his side.
| "Oh, Jim. looki'' she breathed.
| The dim outline of a member of the
bovine family doomed up huge and
startling in front of them
tits that dreadful animal of Henry
Potter's,'' Jessie shud6ered. "Oh,
what shall we do ?''
| Jim's face blanched beneath its tan.
A shudder of fear swept through him.
He covered back a step or two Ter
ror was on the point of overmastering
him. Then a thought flashed into his
mind. He remembered having seen a
couple of men at work in this very lot
that afternoon.
Courage filled his heart.
Here was the very chance he had
longed for-well, not exactly that, but
one that would answer as make
shift he reasonable show Jessie that
he could be brave on occa sfon.
A look of grim determination settled
upon his face as he smothered slight
feeling of shame for what he was
about to do.
Then he called out, run for the
fence, Jessie 1 won't let him hurt
you
ooh, Jim, I can't go and leave you,"
Jessie faltered.
run" Jim commanded in a tone
that she could not refuse to obey
She ran as she had never run before,
stumbling over hummocks without
needing them, and sobbing aloud like a
child, from sheer excitem ent.
How cruel I have been, she