The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-06

canJeT, sIacklng
to walk, arguing with himself in low, calm voice:
Poor devis-poor, half-starved devilsi If L
could afford to pay their prices ID do it. I'll
wink at anything short of destruction can't let them
cut the pine can't let them clean out the grouse and
deer and fish. As for lawsuits, I simply wontI
There must be decent way short of a shotgun
He stretched out hand and broke a flaming maple
leaf from branch IN passing drew 1t through his but
ton-hoe, thoughtful eyes searching the road ahead,
which now ran out through long strips of swale bor
dered by saplngs.
Presently little breeze stirred the foliage of the
white brches to a of tremulous gold; and at the
same moment rider appeared in the marsh beyond,
galloplng through the blanched swale-grass, which
rose high the horses grth.
Young Burleson drew bride; the slim youth who
sat his saddle easily must be the deputy of the
sick hre-warden; this the time and the place.
As the young rider galOped up Burleson leaned for
ward, offering his hand with easy pleasant greet
Ing. The hand was unnotlced, the greeting breath
lessly returned; two grave, gray eyes his, and
Burieson found himself looking into the flushed face
of young girl
inclined her head, barely acknowledging his salute
am Mr.. Elliott's daughter, she said; e you
Mr. Burfeson?' -
Burleson had the honor of presenting himself, cap
in hand.
my fathers deputy" said the girl, quietly,
gathering her bride and wheeling her horse read
your note. Have you reason to believe that at
tempt has been made to fire the Owl Vlaie g? u
There ring of business in her voice that struck
him amusingy delightful-and such a sweet, clear
voice too untinged with the slightest faint of native
accent.
F." Yes" said Burleson, gravely. "a Pm afraid that
somebody tried to burn the vlaie. I think that
change in the wind alone saved from a bad fire.
Shall ride over !? " inquired the girl, moving
forward Eith unconscious grace
Bureson ranged his big horse alongside; she her
mount at gallop, and away they went, wheeling into
the swale knee-deep IN dry, sITery grasses until the
deputy fre-warden drew bride with a side-flung
caution: Muskratsl Look out for cropper ! -
Now, at a walk, the horses moved forward side by
side through the pale gistenng of grass stretch
ing out every side
Over a hidden pond huge heron stood guard stiff
and shapeiess weather-beaten stake. Blackbirds
with crimson-sashed shoulders clouds from the
reeds, only to settle again they passed amid
ceaseiess chorus of harsh protest. Once a pair of
summer duck came speeding overhead, and BurIeson,
looking up exclaimed:
" There's bird 1 shoot at. It's too beauti-
full"
TIE girl turned her head serious gray eyes ques-
tioning his
q Have you ever seen wood-duck?-a drake?
in full plumage - he asked.
"Often-before Mr.. Grier came.'
Burleson fell silent, restless in his saddle, then
said:
hope you viii see many wood-duck now. My
boats on Spirit Water always at Mr.. EIliott's
disposal-and at yours
She made the slightest sign of acknowledgment
but said nothing. Once twice she rose upright
standing straight IN her srrups the distance
under small, inverted hand. East and north the
pine forest grdled the vlaie west and south hardwood
timber laced the skyline with branches partly naked
and the pines outposts of white birch and willow glm
mered Ike mounds of crumpled gold along the edges
OF the sea of grass
q There is the streaml " said Bureson, suddenly.
She 1t at the moment, touched her
with spurred heels, and lifted her clean with
Cr2e hats set RIIrleS nerves thrl