The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-07-26
TIE EVENING STORY
At Sunset Lodge.
(By Louise Merrifield.)
here is she from. Mother p


Kincaid's voice with it's cheerful,
rather hearty western ring, sounded
clearly to the girl in the hammock
under the tall hemlocks. She sat up,
coloring slowly, as she realized they
were discussing her, the new boarder
at Sunset Lodge.
She's real pretty, Bob went on
Mrs. Kincaid. And she's never been
out west before. She says there are
about fifteen in the party, and they
didn't have room for them all over at
the Barton ranch. Four Of them went
to the Failing Star. but it was too far
for her. She won't be any trouble"
We'll, don't take any more. We're
not in the summer hotel business yet,
Mother dear"
Vera Leigh smiled 1t was some
thing always to have sense of humor
to fall back on. She had not wanted
to come there anyway, but the Bartons
had insisted that it would be all right.
The Lodge was small ard coy, with
only young Bob Kincaid and his moth
themselves down at the clubhouse
when they were at the ranch, and
were out on the range. 1t would be
quiet and homelike for her, they had
insisted, and every other place was
full. So she had come down that
afternoon and made arrangements
with Mrs. Kincaid to stay month
At supper time she met the owner
of the ranch for the first time but
did not meet his eyes when she ack-
nOwledged the introduction Bob's
face was not the sort that concealed
his thoughts or Impressions, and as he
looked at the girl from Baltimore his
eyes showed plainly that he approved
of her.
May I have a horse to ride while I
am here, Mrs. Kincaid ?" Vera. asked.
The Bartons said they thought you
could spare one. I low TO ride
But are you used to riding our way
out here?" asked Mrs. Kincaid,
doubtfully. you know we don't use
the side saddle at all, and the ponies
are pretty lively, aren't they, Bob?"
mot At for a woman to ride, said
Bob shortly, and decisively. Its dan
gerous to try these trails around here
when you don't know the way. We're
out of the beaten road, Miss Leigh
''I am an experienced horsewoman,
protested Vera, flushing at his tone.
Il think I would be all right.
You'd better not
Then she raised her lasheS for the
first time, and looked at him full in
the eyes, and very sweetly. very Coolly
she said:
But I intend to. Mr. Kincaid. If
you cannot let me have a horse to ride,
possibly I can get one at the Bartons."
Bob started to speak, and checked
himself For a moment they measured
each other with a glance, and Vera
smiled as she saw the boyish temper
in his eyes. But she said no more
about the horse.
1t was three weeks later when they
missed her. She had gone for long
rides alone every day, choosing Black
Bess to ride, a lightweight bronco
that Bob himself had broken in. Often
during those weeks, Kincaid had tried
to win her friendship, but she had held
r. IL 60
perversity
''The star boarder's kind of set agin
you. Bob" laughed old Quigley, the
boss herder. she's sure a queen,
Bob. I see her riding along Breakneck
Ridge last Saturday, srd the pony
hat off. and riding like an Indian.
Never see no eastern gir- riding that
way. Don't you like her, Bob?'
"Oh, dry up" said Bob, briefly.
You know where L stand. She don't
notice me any more'n if I were char
red stump the lightning had hit
Have you asked her Bob?" chuck
led Quigley. They're queer folks,
women people, and they're that smart
at letting on, that you can't tell thing
what they intend to do. 1 heard her
telling Cherry Dickerman here last
changing heart throbs, that she
wouldn't give a snap of her finger for
a man that waited. and waited around,
and then asked the girl if he might
kiss her. She said she meant to marry
a masterful man.
''MasterfuI?" thought Bob. as he
walked away. wish 1 hadn't let her
ride that pony"
He thought of old QEigley's words
tonight, when he started out to hunt
for her. It was past sunset, but the
sky beyond the great foothills was
] n tat e
/ lay in purple violet and deep amber
silhouette against the clouds. He took
the trail leading upwards over her
favorite route and his mothers last
call echoed in his ears, 4 hope you
find her alive, Bob" In that silent,
lonely ride the knowledge dawned on
him of Just what it meant to his life
should he not find Vera Leigh alive.
The rose and amber had changed to
| deepest sapphire, and the moon had
risen over the mountains. when he
heard the thud of a horses hoofs on
the ground ahead, and the clatter of
falling gravel. He checked his own
pony but when Black Bess came in
view. he saw her saddle was empty.
and the bride hung loose on her neck.
The blood-f1ecked foam was on her
mouth and bit. and he saw that her
shoulder was torn and bruised. Then
he patted her, and set her free.
GO home, Bess,'' he said You
can't tell me any more"
About a mile farther on he found
Vera. She lay near the Path, her face
white, but with opened eyes"
1T was a wild cat. think" she
told him as he dismounted, and leaned
over her. 1T sprang from the tree as
we passed, and buried its claws in the
pony's neck and shoulde.. II think
my ankle is sprained and sore tried
to stand up. but can't walk
Bob said nothing. He was learning
Without a word, or request for per-
mission. he lifted her in his arms, and
set her on his own saddle. Then, with
one arm supporting hef. he led the
pony down the narrow winding path