The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-27
by Louise Mortified.
Copyright 1911, by the Associated
Literary Press

! Copyright 1911, by the Associated
Literary Press)
w here Is she from. mother"
Baltimore, I think she said" Mrs.
kincaids 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
j they were discussing her, the new
/ hoarder 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 Falling Star. but it was
/ too far for her She won't be any
i trouble"
Well, don't take any more. We're
! not IN the summer hotel business
yet mother dear
l., Vera Leigh smiled 1t was some
| thing always 70 have n sense Of
| humor to fall back on. She had not
| wanted to come there anyway. bat
| the cartons had insisted that IL would
| be all right The Lodge was small
/ and coZy. with only young Bob Kin
/ caid 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.
! it would be quiet and homelike Tor
| her they had insisted and every
/ other place was fun. So she had
| come down that afternoon and made
arrangements With Mrs klncaid TO
| stay a month.
| At supper time she met the owner
/ of the ranch for the first time but
! did not meet his eyes when she ac-
| knowle0ged the introduction. Bob's
/ face was not the sort that concealed
/ his thoughts or Impressions. and AZ
| he looked at the girl from Baltimore
| his eyes showed plainly that he aA-
/ proved OF her
May I have a horse TO ride while
! / am here, Mrs. Kincaid ." Vera ask
! ed. THE Bartons said they thought
you could spare one, l love to ride
| But are YOU used to riding our
| way out here" asked Mrs. kincaid
| doubuully. You know we don't use
! the side saddle at all. and the ponies
are pretty lively, aren't they, Bob p
| Not ut for a woman to ride" said
| Bob shortly. and deeisiveIy "It's dam
! gerous to try these trails around here
( when you don't know the way. We're
/ out of the beaten road, Miss Leigh"
Il am an experienced horsewoman,"
Z 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
I the eyes, and very s~eetly, very cooiiy
1 she said:
| But I intend to- Mr.. kincaid. If
i YOU cannot let me have a horse to
ride. possibly | can get one at the
Bartons."
Bob started TO speak. and checked
himself. For a moment they meas
! nf -1ny 4
Vera smiled as she saw the boyish
temper In his eyes. But she said no
pmore 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 lightweight bronco
| that Bob himself had broken in Often
during those weeks kincaid had tried
to win" her friendship, but she had
held herself aloof with almost obsti-
nate perversity.
The star boarder's kind Of set
agin you. Bob" laughed old QuigIey,
the boss herder. She's sure a queen,
Bob. see her riding along Break
| neck Ridge last Saturday. and the
pony going like all get out, and she
with her hat off. and riding like an
riding that way. Don't you like her.
Bob ?'
!, "Oh, dry up" said Bob. briefly.
You know where stand. She don't
notice me any more'n II ! were a char
red stump the lightning had hit
Have you asked her. Bob?" chuck
led Quigly. They're queer folks.
women people, and they're that smart
at letting on. that you can't tell a
thing what they intend to do. I
heard her telling Cherry Dickerman
here last night, when the two girls
We're exchanging heart throbs. that
she wouldn't. give a snap OF her fin
ger for man that waited, and waited
around and then asked the girl II
he might kiss her, She said she
meant to marry masterful man."
"Masterful?" thought Bob, as he
walked away. Wish | hadn't let her
ride that pony
He thought Of old Quigley's words