The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-12-29
The Evening Story
Pennsylvania Pete.
(BV Leigh CurtiS.)

Pennsylvania Pete.
| (By Leigh Curtis.)
! Sheriff Hecker's daughter peered in
! to his office, and, finding him deep in
discussion with a dozen ken-faced
men, went on her way without inter
rupting him.
Anne Hecker recognized her father s
visitors and little thrill of terror as
sailed her as she realized that they
were organizing posse. 1t meant
/ Anne paused and read the notice re-
Gently nailed to the door of the sher-
ifs office:
$500 REWARD
! For the capture of Peter Emmons
Alias Pennsylvania Pete, escaped
/ from Draynor State Prison Friday
( night, June +. Height feet 10
/ inches; fair complexion, blue eyes.
/ Anne read no further; there was a
scraping of chairs the boards with
1 in and she flew around to the tree
I where her horse was tied. In a mo-
ment she was galloping down the trail
toward Lost river.
If Anne had finished reading the
notice. she would have discovered
that the escaped convict had been
seen headed toward Lost river, and
that he was desperate character.
She forgot all about Pennsylvania
Pete. The morning was a glorious
one, the air like wine, the warmth of
the sun grateful.
her morse DOunOeQ over the sage
brush like a winged creature; birds
sang in the gaunt cottonwoods, and
Anne herself sang like a sweet-throat-
ed blackbird
Lost river was a busy, rushing lit
tie stream. Anne paused to water her
horse, feeling a bit lonesome in the
shadow of Lost mountain. But there
was a weird effect of shadow and sun
light on the purple slopes, and Anne
took, her sketcning block from the
a a II a
huge boW1der. There were several of
these powders heaped roughly to-
gether and half concealed by ragged
mesquite.
Don't be frightened" said a mans
voice at her ear. 81 wonder if you
happen to have any whisky or any
thing"
Pale faced, her heart beating like
a triphammer, Anne stared down into
the mesquite beside her.
All she could see was mans white
face. His eyes were closed-he had
tainted while speaking to her.
With a hand on her heart she part
ed the bushes and saw that he was
fair haired and sunburned, and-yes
quite desperate looking.
And in that moment came the clat-
ter of hoofs as the posse reached Lost
river in search of Pennsylvania Pete.
And the fugitive lay behind her
helpless.
Anne sketched furiously.
What in blazes are you doing down
here, Anne?" he called. Get back
home at once. This is no place for
you"
very well, dad" said Anne calmly.
Have you seen anything of a man
riding this way? Calico horse?''
-No-not sign of a rider" said
Anne convin cingly.
Have you got your gun?" demand
ed the sheriff, anXiously-
Anne produced the efficient little
automatic weapon.
Keep it handy-and beat it for
home. When you get there read the
notice posted outside my office. Then
you'll understand why Lost river isn't
a very healthy spot for you. Sabe?'
Sure. dad!' sang Anne, slipping her
pencil into its case and whistling to
her horse.
But she did not rise until the sheriff
and his posse had disappeared in Lost
River canyon and all sounds had
stilled. Then she looked down at the
face and saw that it was turned to-
ward her. The man had regained con-
seriousness.
Anne in a low tone, and she brought
a small flask from her saddle bags and
placed it at his lips.
He drank with difficulty, moved
slightly and groaned.
You are hurt % she asked.
My ankle-twisted- stepped |
in gopher hole and threw me-bolted
myself here"
Anne frowned thoughtfully.
What should she do for this man /
obviously a law breaker wanted by the /
authorities? %
why did you lie about seeing me?'' |
he cut in on her thoughts.
Anne blushed hotly. II recog- |
nized YOU" she confessed.
"Oh, You have the advantage of |
me-" he said coOlly.
II am Anne Hecker, the sheriff's |
'.The sheriffs daughter, Thank /
you. Miss Hecker. And who am I.
please?"
Your description is posted all over
the county," said Anne, land L am a
criminal because I am helping you to
who am I?'' he insisted.
Pennsylvania Pete" she replied
Am I?' he asked curious1y Do
YOU remember the description %
Some of it-five feet ten inches,
blue eyes Why, your eyes are
orown.' she exclaimed, excitedly.
Exactly
Then you can't be Pennsylvania
Peter"
'.HardIy-but I wish I were!'
''Why?''
IT wouldn't be lying helpless here
with this ankle"
'Oh. 1 forgot. You must think me
cruel to neglect you. 1 will rub some
Of this whisky on it-so-and, have
you handkerchief thanks There. .