Gilpin observer., 1913-04-17
CHAPTER I.
hight 1919, Western Newspaper Union

an arrow at the zip. zip of the dogs
in close pursuit? You have dashed
madly over fences, taking the hurdles
without regard to personal danger as
the prey suddenly sprang from its
covert and whisked swiftly into the
hazel brush ahead? You-but wait!
Fancy! Did you ever behold ten
pretty, vivacious lithe-limbed young
women chasing handsome mana
perfect stranger-through a dogwood
swamp, their dresses swirling high
above pretty ankles. their baying.
shrieks Of hysterical laughter?
Catch him! Catch him!" shrilled
running ahead with an athletic stride.
her head and shoulders back. her hair
ripping in the wind.
Get him, Jacket" painted a raw
enous brunette. close behind. Darn
these narrow skirts. anyhow. I'd like
to be a man long enough to wear"
"Oh, gee-this is-too-much for
mel" and a solidly built blonde with
a retrousse nose and a red sweater
toppled onto bed Of moss under a
thornapple tree and gasped for breath
that persisted in cross-circuiting a
chorus Of chor1es struggling for
freedom.
"EYip-LAddy-I-Ay-I-
Run. girls. run!"
go IT."
Hot foot!"
"Whoo-p!"
A startled rabbit. aroused from his
breakfast of alder shoots. sat up in
may bewiiderment, took one hasty
glance and bounded away into the
marsh grasses. his funny little tail
bobbing through the squashy places
like meteor of down.
Ahead the man was running freely.
taking an occasional swift glance
over his shoulder at the foremost of
the foe. One by one the pursuers
were falling by the way. their laugh
ter becoming more and more distant.
Suddenly the man swerved behind q
great ash along the trail and waited.
Through the brush behind he heard
the leader coming like wood nymph.
light and airy.
him now. Agilely he sprang from his
hiding place and opened his arms!
With q gurgle of surprise. her
cheeks as flaming red as the Oriental
poppy ON a sunny morning. she collid-
ed with his manly breast Before she
could free herself. the mans lips
were at hers. slipping the honey with
an ecstasy Of delight!
"Oh!' she gasped. struggling.
Were you looking for meT asked
the man, taking toll again and hold
ing her close.
But" she cried. But" between
kisses. And then with one free hand
she boxed him soundly on the ear.
He let her go instantly. rubbing his
head regretfully.
She stood staring at him. her laugh
ter given way to anger.
"Sir!" her eyes blazing. How
dare your"
Never mind" said the man hum
bly,, "Ill take 1t back!" coming nearer
and reaching for her slim waist
Some lame philosopher has said
that a woman with a sense OF humor
has never been born. In refutation,
the girl suddenly broke forth into
peals of laughter, backing away from
him until she leaned against a tree
trunk for support.
The man kept his eyes on her.
Anyhow" he said finally, II like
the game. Who invented it?"
Coming closer. he reached forth his
hand and touched her lightly on the
arm.
"Tag!" he cried. and started to run.
The girl sat down unceremoniously
in a tangle OF grape vines.
II had my fingers crossed" she pro-
tested-and the man came back, dis
appointedly.
"Ill wait until they cramp." he said
determinedly. crouching at respect
able distance.
There amt a-goin' to be any core!"
nodding her golden head positively
and striving to keep back the bushes.
The man seemed saddened.
Listen" she said soberly III
expected ever to see you again, I'd be
mortified to death But don't, and
I'm going to make a clean breast Of
It, BECAUSE" with maidenly modesty,
at served me right!'
He waited patiently. nodding by
way Of appreciation.
You're the first man that's come
up to this forest primeval in fve
weeks. We were hunting for mocca-
Sin flowers when We caught sight of
you.