The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-12-19
WHITE GIRLS WAY
Kit Landers' Methods Differed
From Those of Her Red
Sisters.
BY iZOLA FORESTER.

Kit watched the preparations down
at the corral warily. They could &C
as far as they liked. She fatty re
fused to act as guide for any lot Of
tenderfoot fasteners. After foul
weeks of watching them ramble all
over the landscape, she felt there was
limit.
They want to see the Bottomless
Pool, Kit, said her father, casually
Saddle up. m too busy to SO along.
Wish they were all In 1t this min.
ute" Kit retorted pleasantly, squarlng
her feet in the low doorway. Il wont
go, dad. Send Dave"
Landers turned around to look al
her face. You cut out that jealous
streak, girl and go saddle up. Now.
don't stop To talk, cause I've got eyes
Dawes been banjoing aud skyoodling
around the little blonde, and you've
started baking over 1t. Don't let her
know you give a rap, Kit"
Il don't" Kit said, slowly Il don't
care what he does, only | don't want
TO be around at her beck and call.
She went swinging down to the cor
raj, chin up. full of plain fight. and
the old rancher chuckled When Kit
showed fight, even the wolf dogs
around the place skunk down behind
the wagon sheds.
Miss Hartman WAS standing by
Dave, laughing at some remark of his
as he oinehed up her saddle straps.
Kit'o hxy tbair,
both her faithful old corduroy skirt
was certainly worn and seedy beside
the new khaki riding outfit of the east
ern girl. Her brown hair was bound
about her head In two wide bands,
topped by an old broad brimmed felt
hat she loved She whistled to her
own pony, and went to get her saddle
and bride from the pegs. And Dave
followed her.
Il don't want you to take this trip
with them, KIT, Miss Hartman says
it's too dangerous for q girl to act as
guide"
Does she?" Kits tone was cheerful
and even. She slipped the bride up
over Brimstone's eager nose. We'll
I'm going just the same. II Miss Har
riman's afraid, she can stay behind
with you and dad"
I'm going along" Dave side.
stepped as the pony lifted one hind
leg and kicked back II wouldn't take
birthstone, Kit"
Say, Dave Kitteridge, are you try
ing to boss me?" She lifted flushed
face to his, but Dave smiled back.
You need it Anybody got a bet.
ter right"
Whereupon Kit acted precipltately
and without any sense of humor
Straight across the face she struck
him with the full force of her palm,
ana 1t WAS a strong, tanned little hand
that delivered the blow. Miss Harri
man gave an involuntary gasp as she
saw 1t descend, and one of the other
men laughed. But Dave had not work.
ed on the Landers ranch for two
years without becoming fairly well
versed in the ways of Miss Landers
He never even noticed the swift little
slap. but took hold of the bride, and
turned Birthstone away from her.
And Kit stood with clenched fists
as he calmly unbuckled the bride
straps, sent the pony back to the end
OF the corral, and saddled up Quita,
q safe little bronco with a snub nose
and steady eye.
Very courteous he was to her, with
an understanding touch OF tolerant
kindness, as of one who knew her
we'll, but Kit watched him from under
long lashes when he helped Rosemary
Hartman into her saddle, and she
could have ridden them both down
under Brimstones stamping, dancing
feet.
She did not look behind at him, nor
wave goodby, as the line of ponies
took the up trail towards the pines
that fringed the rough sandstone
buttes. Miss Hartman was near her
and Kits lips shut In u firm line as
she listened 90 her.
1T seems 50 strange to meet
splendid fellow like Dave Kitter!dgC
way out her In the Wilds. You know
he does not seem TO belong someway
10 ut ii M6SlSIutI
Kit pointed south Born right
over yonder at the next ranch"
Really. Where Was he educated
Same place. was-Broken Arrow
district, eleven miles from here. Dave
and | used to ride it,"
Yes, he told me you were just like
a dear little sister to him Kite
hand gripped the reins. and Quita re
belled for a moment at the tension
But no college trainlng?"
We went up TO Sundance first fol-
the high school course. and then down
to Laramie to the state college"
Together"
Yep. always together. just like
brother and sister" retortcd Kit
calmly. Are you taking personal
interest In Dave, Miss Hartmann
Rosemary's lips curved in little
smile Il don't know for sure. He's
such a splendid big boy, aud love
your west"
Would you love it winters? Would
you love it when 1t was bleak anC
dreary and you didn't always know
whether there would be any tomor
row? Because that's half OF life uI
here, the cold and bleakness and haro
times And It's half of Dawes life
too. The woman who cares for hin
enough to marry him mustn't mind