Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-07-29
EVENING STORY
At SUNSET LODGE.
BY Louise Merrtfieid.
Copyright, 1911, by Associated Liter
airy Press.)

:
Copyright, 1911. by Associated Liter
airy Press.)
"Where is she from, Mother?"
Baltimore, think she said" Mrs.
Kincaid's voice with its cheerful
rather hearty western ring. sounded
clearly to the girl in the hammock I'M
der the tall hemlocks. She sat up
coloring slowly as she realized they
were discussing her, the new boarder
at Sunset Lodge. 4
"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 Falling Star, but It was
too far for her. She wont be any
trouble"
"Well, 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
Ito come there anyway, but the Bartons
had insisted that 1t would be all right.
The Lodge was small and cozy, with
only young Bob Kincaid and his
mother there. His herders all lived
by themselves down at the clubhouse
when they were at the ranch, and were
out on the range. 1t would be quite
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 acknow-
lodged 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 horse to ride while
/ am here, Mrs. Kincaid?'' Vera asked.
"The Bartons said they thought you
could spare one. love to ride"
But are you used to riding our way
out here?' asked Mrs. Kincaid, doubt
fully. you know we don't use the
side saddle at all, and the points are
pretty lively, aren't they, Bob?"
"Not At for woman to ride" said
Bob shortly, and decisive1y. 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.
IT am an experienced. horsewoman,"
protested Vera, flushing at his tone.
II think would be all right.
You'd better not"
Then she raised her lashes for the
first time, and looked at him full IN
the Dyes, and very sweetly, very coolly
she said: gIrl rs
"But II intend to, Mr.. Kincaid. II
you cannot let me hayefa horse to
ride, possibly can get one at the
Bartons." I'M
Bob started to speak. and checked
himself. For moment they measured
each other with glance. and Vera
smiled as she saw the boyish temper
in his eyes. But she said no more
about the horse.
It 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
durin9 those weeks, Kincaid had tried
to win her friendship, but she had neld
herself aloof with almost obstinate
perversity.
'"The star boarder's kind OF set agin
Won. Bob" laughed old Quigley, the
boss herder. She's sure queen, BOD.
see her riding along Breakneck
Ridge last Saturday, and the pony
going like all get out, and she with ner
hat OF. and riding like an lnoian.
Never see no eastern girl rlolng thal
way. Don't you like her, Bob?
ooh. dry up," said Bob briefly. on
know where I stand She don't notice
me any more'n if were charred
stump the lightning had hit"
"Haye YOU asked her. Bob?' chuck
led Ouigley. "They're queer folks, wom-
en- people. and they're that smart az
letting on, that you can't tell thlng
what they intend to do. heard net
telling Cherry Dickerman here last
night, when the two girls were ex-
changing heart throbs. that sne
wouldn't give snap Of her finger TOT
a man that waited. and waited around
and then asked the girl II he might
kiss her She said she meant to marry
a masterful man. -,
"Masterful?" thought Bob, as ne
walked away. wish hadn't let her
ride that pony"
He thought Of old Quigley's words
tonight. when he started out TO hunt
for her. 1t was past sunset. but the
sky beyond the great foothills was
flushed rose color, and the mountains
Law in 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. Il hope you find her alive,
Bob" In that silent. lonely ride the
knowledge dawned on him OF just
what 1t 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 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-flecked foam was on her
mouth and bit, and he say that her