The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-14
THE EVENING STORY
Dicks Valentine.
(By Louise Merrifield.)


husband I can't imagine Dick
would remark confidentially to the
other two rangers up on Rumble Noun
tain, who shared his lodge. I'm thir-
ty, and I'm steady-going and sober,
and though I say as I shouldn't per-
-haps, I'm a fine specimen of the faith
full handwriting male"
shes looking higher'n you, Dick. ''old
Cad Benseley would hand back regu-
larry as Dick started meditating.
shes tending strictly to business. so
when she meets the road president
she'll be ready to elope.''
mo, sir, she won't" Dick thrust at
him. Chin out, eyes swapping little
fire sparks, he meant business. 'She
amt a bit that sort, Cad. She's the
prettiest kid 1 ever laid eyes on, and
she's got a way about her makes you
stand off, too. I'll bet she'd level a
gun in a good cause without thinking
twice. There's a dimple in her chin,
but it's projecting chin all the same.
Sort of sticks out at the landscape in
al inquiring and belligerent manner.
took her up bushel of apples so she'd
have something to MUNICH on off hours,
and she gave 'em away to the fellers
around the station
women are something fierce ac-
coded Cad. I've had five. Buried
three, one ran away and the other
ones back in Nebraska threatening to
have me up in the courts for desertion
and nonsupport. An she's earning her
eighteen steady in laundry, and
here's me riding all day and part the
night for the country's good Some
so to speak. bit. Her names Sarah.
I'll take odds on a Sally, but don't
you ever let yourself get tangled matri-
monially, boy, with any sarahs.''
This ones names Polly, Polly Law
ton, she told me. Got hair all little
ON wiz "a
face. I've made believe send off tele-
grams to a great aunt down in Texas
every week, so I could ride over and
talk to her Said last night it was
telegram and Il said She was tongue
tied before thought. Then she laughed
at me, put back her head and laughed
like a little kid. And say, Cad, her
throat
boy, I say, go easy cautioned the
when you get to noticing their
threats, and how purity they look when
they put their heads back, there amt
a bit of hope for you
"Shes only about twenty, and she
says she amt got any more opinion
of men than she has of mules, not a
bit. WhatIl I do, Cad? I want her
for keeps. I never felt this way about
a girl before. I make enough to get
married on, and I've been packing
away some ever quarter down at Car
son. How'll I make her understand
mean straight business?"
Cad considered for several minutes
in deep thought. Then he rose and
consulted the almanac hanging from a
string from the shelf over the wash
bench
1.-THE stars in their courses sure do
hustle for Caesar he says. finally.
"St Valentines day approaches, and
if I was you, Dick Emmett, I'd deal
with the queen of hearts up for trumps. |
Send her valentine
zone of them lace and gold things |
with verses on emp Dick looked sus- |
picious. Shed just laugh at me-
mo: not that kind. That's way out |
of date. Nowadays you send gift. |
Can't you think up something she said
she wanted fearfully?"
Dick thought a minute, then let out /
whoop and hit his knee, jumped up
and hitched up his corduroys.
Cad, it's no wonder you got five all
for your very own. You've got the
whole game ticketed, and the cards
marked, you old sinner you. She's
crazy for a bearskin to throw down in
her cabin. She told me so herself, and
last week didn't we raise a pretty trail,
remember, up past the pine ridge?"
Cad took out his pipe and raised his
left eyebrow till it looked like a shay
gy, gray half moon.
Choose again, Dick. Culver's after
1t now"
Dick grinned and reached down his
rifle from the stag horns above the
door.
You don't let any other fellow get
your valentine away from you, do
you. not when the going's good?" he
asked. ct guess I'll get on the bear
trail, too
1t was more than a week before ST.
Valentine day. Indian Pipe heard of
the bear hunt, without suspecting its
reason. If Polly did, she never let any
one know it. Old Cad went down after
the days work to chat with her.
must be a fearful sized creetur," he
said. cautiously, one night. "And
tracked bear after the third or fourth
night gets terribly nervous and fret
full. Cu1ver's horse amt any too well
shod for this sort of thing, neither"
Nice ranger he must be to let his
horse go So" said Polly airily. TIL bet
a cookie Dicks is all right
1T sure is assented Cad warmly,
sure of his way now Fine boy.
Dick, amt he2"
yes, and that's all he is" Polly
flung back with a toss of her head.
He'll never grow up. Mr.. Benseley.
He's reckless and unreliable"
well. upon my word, Polly, I'm
didn't know You better I'd say you
was a trifler of hearts and a leader
on of false sentiment. If was
sure I'd call off that bear hunt"
Polly leaned on the little narrow
window ledge at the telegraph win
dow and smiled winningly.
What has their old bear hunt got
to do with me2'' she asked shyly.
'rWhat?" old Cad snorted with in ,
dignation, you didn't say you'd like