The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-10-18
THE EVENING STORY
Peters Poor Policy.
(By Alice NJ. Curtis. }


(By Alice M. Curtis)
You're too considerate of all the
girls here, Peter. That's why Anne is
not impressed with your wooing. She
believes herself to be one of many
| who receive the same attention.
That's funny" said big, wholesome
| Peter, who vas the life of the house
party at his pretty little stone lodge
| tucked away on the side of the Cum
berland mountains when a man in
vites a dozen or more people to his
| house, he has to be decent to all of
them, doesn't he? That's always been
my policy"
That's poor policy when you want
| to marry a girl. She has a right to
expect to be singled out of a crowd
His sister Kate regarded him with a
mournful air. ST wouldn't believe in
know you so we'll. You seem to be as
| happy with one girl as another
You're cCnsoling. Anne's been
gone, riding along Moccasin Trail for
of the opportunity! It's fairyland, all
red and gold at this time of year,
with the river like a thread of silver
down in the valley. It's the prettiest
place in these mountains"
Peter. I do believe you are in love.
| Think of you, prosaic you, seeing
| anything except wild turkey and 9TH
! er delectable game in this place. By
| way of announcement. may add that
| I am sorry for you because I think
Anne is engaged to Bob"
why do you think SOP" It was
not Peter, the kind host, who made
the demand, but Peter, the shrewd,
calculating lawyer. What makes you
think that she is going to marry Bob,
| Kate?''
Her attitude and his. Love some
body else. Peter. There are several
prettier girls here"
There iS nobody like Anne girl
You know that"
From the way you men rave over
her, I suppose you are right about it.
She has wonderful charm. I wish
Bob would bring her in before night.
Moccasin Trail is lovely but danger
GUS"
''There's Bob now! He is riding
in alone: Lord. I wonder what's
happenedi''
Peter hurried out of the lodge to
CHASTITY white.
HAS Anne come imp he gasped.
mo; what's the matter?"
"She suggested that we take diff
ferent roads at Fern Spring. You
know the trail forks there. We were
to meet at that bald place on the
mountain, Look Rock I waited up
there an hour, then started down the
way she was to go. I haven't seen
her"
Before he finished talking, Peter
was giving orders quietly to the ser
wants who had been attracted by the
excitement. Everybody except Peter
seemed to lose his head.
saddle some horses. Be quick
about it! Get lanterns and wood for
torches Find a heavy cloak. She'll
be cold when we find her"
He threw himself on the first horse
off, the others following. A little
way down the road he met the mare
Anne had been riding. She was walk
ing slowly, her bride trailing. Peter
urged his horse on.
Anne, hurt, alone and night rush
ing on swiftly as it does in the noun
tains. Peter set his teeth and looked
over a precipice beside the road above
the spring. Anne, the tender, fragile
girl of his dreams, was not there. He
peered into the shadowy places, half
afraid to look for fear of what he
might see.
The evening star suddenly burned clear
and beautiful and a prayer walked In
him to find herl
There sounded faint cry. Peter listen
the pine trees, and its sadness found an
echo in his heart. A brown thrush called
pIaintively.
Peter never knew why it was, but he
flung himself off his horse and raced up
a tiny path where he and Anne had
wandered one day. A flaming maple was
names. He looked around and there he
found her, crunpled up in a little heap
Of riding habit and three-cornered beaver. |
He was always thankful afterward that
he had filled a silver flask that morning
and dropped it in his pocket. He caught
her up in his arms and forced some
whisky between her teeth
Anne, dear, are you hurt? It's Peter, |
Anne. Open your eyes. Anne, speak
to me. I love you"
Her eyeiids fluttered and opened. She |
smiled at Peter. IT knew that you would |
GOMEZ she said with childish faith. Its !
my ankle, Peter
Her face was as white as some moon |
flower there in the dusk when Peter strip |
ped off his coat and folded it about her |
tenderly. He lifted her on his own horse |
and walked beside her down the trail, |
holding her up as best he could
servant came with torches and lighted
the way. Peter scorned his offer to ride. |
Nobody should hold Anne but himself |
They met some of the searchers and |
their glad shouts on seeing Anne rang
along the mountain side.
They had planned a possum hunt for /
that night and after Anne's ankle had |
big log fire, a charming invalid, she in |!
sisted that they go on with their sport |
and bring back the spells for her to see.
Don't make me feel that hinder |
ing your fun she begged. You'll stay
with me- won't you, Peter?" and Peters |
heart sang for joy because she had grant /
ed him the privilege
When they had gone and the yelping |
of the dogs sounded far away, Peter |
threw a big hickory log and some pine !