Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1914-02-20
WITHOUT A GUIDE.
BY lola Forester.

SSopyflsht, 19li. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)
You don't mean that they've all gone
on without me?'
Larky caught the plaintive feminine
note, and turned his head to look at the
ngure standing in front of the stage. She
Larky decided instantly to be alone in
Bear Creek Valley. He could not tell
whether she was good looking or mot.
Wen about $50 this morning. ma'am."'
overland up through a shortcut with an
lnoian guide. and we go down yonder
aroun that mountain. and come out
II don't see why they didn't wait for
me: I wired I'd be here today"
uIhere amt a telegraph office within 81
miles m ma'am." Garter told her: gently:
now, waiting for some one to claim it,"
.But-.lshe looked around doubtfully)-ls
there a hotel here?'
you now see decorating the fair face of
nature in her widest FORM Carter In
cluded Larky in the comprehensive wave
o o1a ms a WHIP p;na aT FL is only as a st n 1,pi OIL OH
Ing farther on. You can go back with me
to Tallyho if you like
She sighed, a quick. impatient little
suitcases stood beside her. In one glance
she took in the five houses behind the lit
Tie station. Larkey and some ponies hob
pieo over On q dfeary iOOhlnB Centrdl
square.
Thank you, hut ! think L will go ~"
she said. "T ought to catch up with them
soon If I press along. L want a good pony
Larky came forward at that with DOTTED
pony. reliable. sturdy. gentle.
She met his eyes as he talked. G%raveiy.
anXfouSly. He did not look just like the
rest of the men she had seen coming up
from Colorado Springs. He was tall and
young. and ne had a clean shave and q
clean shirt ON. She liked his manner and
his quick understanding OF her predica-
ment.
I'll take the pony. 1t is a ride OF sew
sral days. I believe. up 10 the lodge. DO
you know a place over on one of those
mountains called Kinnnecott Lodge? Roy
Kinnecott and mis- wife have 1t. He's an
artist"
II know the way to it If you want 81
guide?'' said Larky, hopefully. "I know
MIR. kinnecntt. too"
eft it's a straight trail 1 won't need a
guide. I'm used to travelling In the noun
ish Columbia. that is, my sister and broth
erinlaw and II few others. ] ann Barbara
Willis, Mrs. kinnecott's sister"
Larky opened his mouth to say some
thing and checked himself. saying only
In a meek sort OF way that he lived NEXT
to the Kinecott Lodge and as long as ne
was going along that way he didn't see
why she needed a guide. And. anyhow.
Fled they ought to overtake the others BY
the following day. Perhaps shed rather
wait until morning to make the start.
mo, I'll go as soon as you get my pony
and some food for us. please. Did you
say your name was Larky?"
Right then Ind there Ilarky lost his
heart ssa ,s She o,l had a a way sny Of taX Nf51ns o me off off
guard. and what she saw IN his VIDE
brown eyes should have warned her. May.
be IL did. ANYWAY. she took possession OF
A. l- O-S ood Nt(n fGn
door, changed her travelling dress calmly
for a corduroy riding skirt and pongee
silk blouse.
toward the mountain trait with various
sentiments-,nost!r expressed by Garter. .,
"Ill bet a nickel he amt told her,
he said refectively.
reason why he lived III the mountains was
80 he. would have to tel! people. Exery
now and then he shook the dust OF cues
straight w into the heart of the range ne
loved TO a little old shack his father had
once lived i'm. With a dog and a nony
he would stay there for weeks. untll .as
kilograms piled up down at iai!Sho 'no
So he led the wav through the flores.
mostly in silence; He rode q little af1s ,a,
too long at the slim. girl Gs1,re SUNG
easily on the brown pony. But when ne
made the campfire for supper. she Iook
hold or Gle EeIlcIal IItIhi -
Ibid YOU ever hear of some MN un
here who escaped from somewhere,??"
Barbara suddenly. II dom know the
story myself, but j, heard my sister she d Jaws
blame him at all for escaping. suppose
you find lots of strange people seeking
shelter up here in the big siience?'
Larky's shoulders seemed to shake
slightly as he bent over the fire frying
bacon, yet his voice was grave. Yes: it
was a refuge for lots of queer folks. The
land. Then. after supper. nc
made a couch for her of spruce boughs
and blankets. and a little tent shelter fac
ing the fire. Barbara had been too much
in the open to feel any sense of danger;
She called goodnight to him cheerlly. ana
lay down with her revolver handy ana a
vague sense Of relief. He was nice for
Just a mountain boy. One met such de,
lightful people who never seemed to ind
their way out of the commonplace. She
would be sure and speak 10 Roy about
him. Maybe he could help him.
The singing pain in her arm wake.ea
heard it as he lay browsing on inc otner
of the fire, and was beside her in an
instant. Before she was fairly awake she
INTO the fire. something dark and sinuous.
She felt a deathly sickness overcoming
her. and the pain in her arm grew sharp;
Larky picked her up In his arms. ana
brought her over to the freight. His own
face looked suddenly stern and white.
"Didn,t know 1 was a doctor. did you:
Miss Willis" he said. smiling down at
spoil your outing up here. II YOU don't
mind now. we'll give it a jab or two"
whats that?'. asked Barbara. half
peevishly. She began to feel a little
drowsy, but he was working rapidly. and
she felt the two sharp little needle pune
lures in her arm. the potassium perman-
ganate, and then the s~trychnfne. She Won
dered IL he were really a doctor. Some
how he seemed wonderfully tender with
her. and strong. h looked up at him
and smiled family.
IAN I all right, 6octor?"
'Surest think you know. Miss Barbara"
he laughed back. AREN'T you glad now
eyes" she said softly, lever so glad.
II was late the. next afternoon when the