Gilpin observer., 1917-02-08
CUpID's new WEAPON
BY LOIS GRAFTON.


slides and places on narrow hedges
where pieces OF rock might have fdlie6
away since the last ranger passed on
his lonely patrol.
But the mountain ponies were sure
fOOted-too sure-foOted. for they went
close to the edge sometimes. The
horse the girl rode insisted on walking
as fur away from the lin us possible.
The man kept his eye on the girl
Most Of the time her left foot wns dan
Cling over space. but she gave NO
sign that she wns afraid.
When night came they cnmped In u
valley. and after supper most of thr
weary souls crnwled into bed. A few
still fingered. however. around the
great fire. The man and the girl sat
apart talking.
"You are not afraid Of anything, arr
your" he snid.
She laughed. Goodness, yes-spi-
ders and MICE measles and burglars"
II doubt Itl"
"What did | do to make you think
was-brave?"
"Most girls would have screamed or
tainted when that horse went so close
to the edge"
sand kept quiet. That was only
the instinct Of self-preservation. !
didn't want to scare him."
''That isn't true, I'm afraid. Insist
on giving you the palm of courage"
"And | insist that l am us much Of
coward as anybody"
"What are you afraid of. then?"
II told you-burglars for one thing
"And?"
"YOu for another"
"Me?"
"Yes. You insist on dragging my
failings out into daylight and anulyz-
Ing them. suppose you'll soon dis
cover that I'm fond of vegetable soup
and hate to use semicolons. and thnt
incidentally these riding boots have
rubbed my stockings into tntters."
"Td forgotten. You must be dead
tired" He got up instantly and helped
her to her feet. Go to bed now and
be fresh for new worlds tomorrow"
He pressed her hand warmly and
was gone.
They were together a great deal
after that they rode side by side when
possible. sat together at meals and
had splendid campfire tnlks. He In
sisted on calling her brave us each day
brought new risks which she took
without fiinching.
The trip came to nm end; the man
hA ~
east, and the party scattered In all
directions.
The girls family had not come home
from Canada and she undertook the
opening Of the townhouse.
She had long. quiet evenings alone
nfter busy days. and she lived over
her wonderful time In the mountains.
There were camera views to 60 over,
some of the man. "He's so different
from most men," she mused. 80 big.
HES been all over the world. he says.
! suppose he builds bridges and tun-
nels mountains and constructs dams
and aQueducts. for he would never be
content to spend his time doing little
things"
One evening. after looking through
her travel book again. she decided to
go to bed. Hulda. the cook. had gone
to her room on the third floor, and she
was alone. She made round of the
rooms, fastened windows. swapping on
locks and turning out lights.
Then she returned to the library to
switch of the table light before going
upstairs.
And there stood man with black
mask over his face and an automatic
ready for action.
"OhI" said the girl. standing quite
still.
Keep quiet" said the Intruder, "and
! won't hurt you"
And the girl kept very quiet: In
truth. she slipped In heap to the
floor. for she had tainted.
I'm foolp mans voice was
the first thing she heard when her
senses came back. She was on n couch
and Hulda was rubbing her face and
hands. She thought she knew the
voice.
The girl sat up. Your she cried.
man with whom she had Travelled over
800 miles Of mountains.
And here I've been thinking You did
big, wonderful things to help the world.
and you're a-a-"
"A burglar? No. I'm not really
Listen. just got back from the West
todny-thls evening-and couldn't go
10 SleeD until Ind locn rod ynur hnusa
II was too late to come in. but just
wanted to know where you lived.
When | was passing saw man work.
ing at the side window. so got the
corner policeman and we nabbed him.
Then thought of something. just n
fool notion Of mine to test your cour-
age further, for ! didn't believe you
when you said you were afraid of bur.
glars. You know what It was. I