The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-01
Euening Story
Witch Hazel.
By cLARIssA MACKIE.

Overhead was the sunny California
sky--in the foreground was the sandy
trail leading gradually up to the blue
green dimness of the mountains. All
around him were the plain board bun
galows of the town, hlistering under
the noon sun. The veranda of the
store and pestoffice was crowded with
men clad in flannel shirts and cor
| duroy rousers-bronzed. weather
worn faces under broad hats-and a
score of horses We're tied at the long
rail fence.
Jim Thornton saw none of these
things; all he saw was a girl riding
away on a tall black horse-a slim
young thing in faded khaki with q
sombroro pulled over her red hair
Nate Miller followed the glance and
smiled sympatheticaliy- That's Ha-
eel Deane." he nlurnlured in a low
tone, you might meet her if you are
going up the trail-her fathers place
! is over on the upper trail-Little
Boulder. they call it,
"Prospector ?" asked Jim.
Nate nodded. Found the real
thing" he muttered. Some say that
ats the only real find hereabouts-
Most of those fellows" he nodded to-
"are cattle men-they don't bother
With gold mining-too uncertaip. Al
ways excepting Pedro-see thar greas-
er sneaking onto his horss-thinks no
one sees him-always follows Hazel
until she finds him and sends him
back again like the coyote he is!''
Jim saw the slouching half-breed
leap into the saddle and gain the trail
! by wide detour behind clump OF
trees. Then his little rat-tailed sorrei
scurried along, hardly notieeable
against the yellow sand of the trail
The newcomer started toward his own
horse, but Nate stopped him.
s"Pedro's only following to find out
where the old man gets the gold he
explained. Hazel don't need any
help"
I'm on my way now, anyhow" said
Jim. "I'll follow Pedro and eventual
~ reach Little Boulder Perhaps Mr.
Deane will help me in what wan'
| to do"
Go to it, son. said the other tersely
! and as Jim mounted Nate examined
the little pack burro, frightened the
| ropes that bound the load and ther
slapped the little beast on the flank
as they rode away.
He gazed after them as they dis
appeared at the end of the trail
| dipping,into a gully that led into the
hills He whistled softly and smiled
Gee, I forgot to warn him tina
witch Hazel has temper to mater
her red hair!"
Jim Thornton had not confioed il
Nate Miller that he had a letter o
introduction to Henry Deane and ina
he was depending upon Hazels fathe
4 to help him out in his search for
chache of gold dus- hidden by Grand
father Thornton in the days of 40.
While he had expected to en1o,
the excursion into the mountains, tn
easterner had not counted on falling
in love at first sight with shabbil.
dressed, red headed girl who had onl.
thrown him careless glance from
green eyes fringed with auburn lashes
He vas mounting the sleeper place
now the air was cooler and there wa
the smell of pine and the hot smell
! of wild thyme. He paused to- lool
4 down at the country sketched below
when he heard the sound of veiee
above him-a mans whining tone ant
the tremhle of a girls voice.
Hazel Deane and the half-breed!
Jim urged his horse forward and II
five minutes they burst upon strang7
( scene. Among the trees at one side o
the trail vas Hazel Deane. MOUNTED
on her tall horse, and backed agains
I a huge Boulder that 1utted from tn
i hill. She was gazing with blazing eye
and white face at Pedro, who, crouch
ed behind his little sorrel, was cover
ing her with a gun.
You tell me. sonora let you g
just word where gold is
! "1'll tell you nothing" cried tn
girl
,. II keel yore horse-pronto,' TIL
threat ended IN a lord howl of paii
as a bullet knocked the weapon gu
of his hand and grazed his knuckle
in passing.
You get out of here-pronto,'
commanded Jim, fiding into the open
ing. The half-breed mounted hi
sleepy horse and the two skulked on
of sight and out of this story.
Are you all right?" asked Jim. re
moving his hat.
She smiled and nodded. Thank
to you. Pedro was drunk. He nigh
have harmed me with that gun.
probably owe my safety to you. NJ
father, Henry Deane, will thank yol
for me"
II am on my way to Little Boulder,
explained Jim. ~ have a letter @
introduction from Major Blake"
'Then 20 are Mr. Thornto-l-th
major wrote TO dad. We have been o.
,ezozJ.,.J H2S