The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-15
The Evening Story


canvas tops OF the wagons could be
zen shabbfly dressed women and
l naH-ciotned children. Beside the
wagons rode men ON horseback.
From the porch OF her cabin Marian
Blaine watched the slowly moving
Suddenly q hand Of Indians galloped
rom behind the mountain and. firing
emieIanh. The noise OF the gums was
terrific. The smoke almost hid the
tFeln ana its besiegers.
Sick with horror Marian chung to
the veranda railing. Her maid
screamed steadily.
| A clear bugle call rang out. From
the mountain dashed q cavalry troop
gearing the uniform of the United
| When the smoke cleared away the
rescued immigrants and the captured
Indians, surrounded by the victorious
cavalry. were passing around the
! mountain road by which they had
come into view.
his party and rode toward the cabin.
He raised his broad-brimmed hat and
swung from his prancing horse. He
was q remarkably handsome young
man. His sunburned face was clear
cut and strong, and his tall figure wan
perfect In proportions. He smiled up
at the charming. frightened face of the
girl on the veranda.
II hope you were not alarmed" His
voice was deep. erich and exquisitely
modulated. Those little scraps are
quite exciting"
WAS any one killed?
Not q scratch on any OF us.
laughed the officer. I'VE are SO ac-
customed to these attacks that we
manage them without the least dan
ger to any one"
II did not know there was an army
post near here. did not know there
were Indians in this country. nor that
emigrants were ever attacked.
He looked at her in surprise. 1T
was Then he stopped. 1--WE
mountain" he said.
Marian Blaine had come west be-
cause she had developed a slight cough
which had refused to be healed. She
had bought a cabin on the plain and
had remodeled 1t into comfortable
home. Except for, two servants
brought from the east. she lived alone.
Every day Capt. Barrett rode over
to the cabin. OF immigrants. Indians
and army life he seemed unwilling to
talk. He was a man who had travel
ed widely. He discussed literature, art
and music freely. Drama apparently
bored him, for when Marian mention
ed the stage he became silent and in
attentive.
IT am SO glad that know an army
officer" Marian said. ''I have never
known any of our army men, and I
have always wanted to. The army is
the noblest profession man can en-
ter. Our Officers. are heroes. The res
cue Of those immigrants was the most
wonderful thing 1 ever saw. And you
were magnificent, leading your men
into battle
The look in Barrett's eyes stopped
her words.
rs It because I am an army of1icer
fighting Indians that you-that you
like me?" he asked, slowly. IF you
had known me in any other profess
sion would you have let me be your
friend? The profession. for instance.
AN actor? Yous" she laughed. az
cannot imagine it. You are an officer
and hero
Barrett's voice was harsh. II am an
actor-an actor in moving picture
show. The battle yo.- saw was a mock
battle posed for the moving picture
camera. am the leading man of a
moving picture show company which |
IL camped over beyond the mountain
making pictures of western life.
II deceived you not because I am
ashamed Of my profession. am proud
of it. But was tired Of being treated |
as an actor-stared at Is If I were an |
imported freak, surfeited with questions |
se - 10 $1,000
n Twins. in a decent nrofe.sion' want.
Cd vacation from hein1 an actor III
did not wish to pose as a hero or |
to win your friendship through de-
ceit, I thought" he spoke as simply |
as a INV "T Thought Won liked mo ri
1id not realize until TO-DAY that Won
liked the hero. the army officer. The
wonderful person who is not II"
Marfan,s face was sct in hard lines
The lovely color had faded ont of II. |
"Your camp-vour picture show camp |
-is hevond the mountain. please re-
turn to il and do not come here again.
A few days later Marian's automo-