Bridgeton pioneer., 1915-09-16
Diana
She Started as "the
Kid"
By EUNICE BLAKE


who, when it became necessary for
him to choose a life occupation, not
fancying being cooped up bAween
walls, concluded to go in for ranching.
Having the wherewithal to set him
self up as a ranchman, he purchased
a tract of land in the far west, built
a spacious house on it and stocked it,
Hackstaff had no intention of bury
ing himself alone in wilderness. He
had plenty Of friends who he knew
would be glad to visit him, and on
planning his house he arranged for
their entertainment. The first thing
he did after getting things In order
was to issue invitations for a party
of ladies and gentlemen to come out
and spend a month with him. This
was the month of August, and when
September came the host arranged for
a hunting party, inviting his guests to
put In another month in that way.
Some accepted and some declined.
Among those who declined was Ed
ward Darlington, man considerably
older than Hackstaff, whom the latter
had met abroad, but whose family he
had never seen.
When Darlington left the ranch prep
aratons were being made to start on
the hunt on the 10Th of September, the
party consisting of six men and four
OF
he telegraphed to Hackstaff, Can 1
transfer my invitation for the hunt to
a member Of my familyT The reply
was Certainly" The next day anoth-
er telegram was received, Frank leaves
this evening at O'Clock"
Meanwhile one of the women who
were to compose the party received
word that she was needed at home.
This decided an intimate friend to
go with her. The number of women
was thus reduced to two, and these
two decided that the preponderance of
men would be SO great that they had
better return with the women who
were going home. They were not urg-
ed to remain because the men, since
the number of women Of the party had
been 80 greatly reduced, preferred not
to be encountered with any women at
all.
Frank Darlington arrived late at
night. The hunting party was to start
at 4 O'Clock the next morning. Since
they must arise early all turned in
early, Hackstaff having first arranged
for the reception Of the new guest. AT
3 O'Clock all were called, and Hack
staff, having dressed himself, went out
into the hall and raped at the door of
the room that he had assigned to young
Darlington.
I'm minute" was the reply.
Hackstaff opened his eyes. The voice
sounded distinctly feminine. What did
1t mean? There was no woman in the
house, not even cook.
This is very singular" muttered
Hackstaff. 81 wonder If Darlington
has sent boy so young that his voice
hasn't changed. hope not. We don't
wish to be encountered with a kid"
Presently the door Of the newly ar.
rived guests room opened, and a girl
stepped forth. She was about eighteen
years Old, hearty looking and dressed
in a hunting costume, the lower part
of which consisted of a pair of bloom
ers. This apparel caused her to look
much younger than she was.
For heavens sakew exclaimed Hack.
staff, aghast. "Who are youT
HWhv T,,So E,c.I~
papa arrange it all?"
Frank? Franks a male name"
"Oh, dear! That's just like papa; he
never remembers that. My name is
Frances. came out to join your hunt
ing party"
That's too bad. The women have
all backed out"
"All backed outv'
Eyes"
why have they done thatY
L explained to her how 1t had hap
pened, but did not mention the fact
that the women had all left the camp.
Sne listened to me with a look Of dis
appointment on her face till had fin
ished, then said
wen, l suppose I must stay here
with those who are left and miss the
hunt"
There are none left" said.
"Not one?"
Not one"
There was silence for few minutes,
while the girls features were working
convulsively; then a flood of tears
gushed forth. This melted Hackstaff
at once.
Don't cry, little girl,' he said. "We
Will find some way out of it."
Pm not little girl; I'm a woman.
I'm eighteenv
"You don't mean it. 1 thought you
were about twelve"
By this time the members of the
party began to emerge from their
rooms. At seeing Hackstaff talking
with girl in tears whom they sup
posed to be a child they were all much
astonished.
Gentlemen" said Hackstaff, ''there
has been serious mistake. This is
the Frank who was to join us. She is
Miss Frances Darlington"
The men all bowed.