The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-01-14
With Tonka'sAid
And After the Storm Came
Happiness.
0y HoNoRE WiLlsie.

Barbara wandered about the great
pleasant room restlessly. She liked the
huge fireplace with whips and rifles
above the mantel. The couches. with
the fur robes tossed across them. and
the long study table In the middle Of
the room. heaped with magazines and
a varied collection OF pipes. made her
forget that the nearest human habita.
tion was fifteen miles across the plains.
She paused at one OF the windows.
snubbing her nose against the pane
like a child. and looked out over the
brown. dusty plains toward the noun.
tains. This visit to her bachelor broth.
er was suddenly proving lonely. since
he had forbidden her her daily ride
because Of threatening snow. Until to.
day everything on the ranch had been
so new and strange to this eastern girl
that she had forgotten to be homesick
"rhe sun IL shining!' she exclaimed
aloud to the empty room. 1T II only
that funny huxy ring around 1t that
keeps 1t from being really bright.
Richard In 30 silly and funny over me-
like a hen with one chick! What IL II
snOwstorm. anyhow. but fun? I'm go.
Ing to take Tonka out for just little
WHILE"
All Lee. peering from the kitchen
window little later, shook his head
dubiOusly at the sight Of a slender fix.
ure in heavy riding habit making its
way toward the stables.
"Me no like missy glO." he said.
weather velly bad" Then. with an
indescribable gesture not unmixed'
with disdain. he calmly washed his
hands Of the matter and went on with
his pie making.
Barbara found the stables deserted.
but Tonka nOsed her softly with wei.
come In her great eyes. and pony and
girl swung engerly out beyond the cor.
raj to the open plain. Barbara shiv.
cred good deal at first. The mir
lacked that clear. invigorating quality
that had hitherto made riding de.
light. There was raw wind rising
that penetrated her heavy habit.
1--WE won't 20 far today. Tonka,' she
sud. with chntterlng teeth-''just the
1ve miles out to the irrigating gate and
back again."
The murky ring about the sun grew
thicker and thicker until the sun was a
mere pale yellow dinner plate resting
on gray blanket. The wind began to
sting Barbara's face unpleasantly.
"Oh. denr." she snid, this isn't any
fun! It's 40 hnzy can't see the ditch.
nnd"-she turned In the saddle and
looked about In u puzzled way-"I can't
see the ranch house either. Why-why.
Tonka, where are weY'
She looked up into the sky. but dur.
ting her short moment Of uncertainty
the sun had become totally obscured.
and as she looked fine. driving parti.
cles Of snow pelted her face. Tonka
shook her head stubbOrnly ana started
or abruptly, but Barbara pulled her In.
''Silly thing" she said. II don't want
to 90 to the irrigating ditch. We must
get home as soon as ever we can"
But TOnka had Ideas Of her own on
the subject Az Barbara pulled on the
rein she shook her head again and
started to back.
"rOnka." scOlded Barbara, raising
her voice above the roar of the wind.
IL want to 20 home! Don't net like
gOOsew
With the aid Of the whip she finally
persuaded Tonka to turn, and they
started OF In the teeth OF the wind.
The drive Of the snow was 10 heavy
that Barbara could not see horses
length In front of her The cold was
NO intense that she felt as II her face
were being scared. and She began to
be frightened,
1t must be u blizzard" she thought.
"Richard win be frantic"
For half an hour TOnka struggled
through the binding storm. while the
frightened girl on her back chung to
the reins with numbing hands and
urged her on. As the cold grew un.
bearable Barbara pulled the pony IN
aud dismounted.
"Ive got to walk" she thought. "or
freeze to the saddle
With tho reins ON her arm. she
plunged ON, her heart sinking more
and more. I'VE are lost. TOnka." she
said, "lost IN one Of those terrible bis-
cards" She stopped to breathe and
to pound her aching hands against the
p0ny's side.
suddenly Tonka lifted her head with
. shrill whinny. which was answered
from ont the storm by another whinny.
Barbara looked about eagerly. us 1t
only stray pony" she thought. "or is
some one louking for me?"
|, Out OF the whirlwinS Of snow came
the shadowy form Of II man, like Bar
bara. leading his horse. Barbarx's
heart gave great throb.
me tngraham!" she gasped.
''Great heavens. Miss Barbara. what
does this mean?" exclaimed the man.
turning his back to tho gale and shout
ting to be heard above It.
I'm lost!' called barbara.
This Is awful" answered tho man.
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