The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-04-08
Euening Story
The Lady Sheriff.
BY R. RAY BAKER.

noise and turned half around in his
chair. which was close to fireplace.
in which log blazed yellowly-
She Ieveled a revolver at the man.
She was painting, probably from ex-
! element but managed to observe IN
fairly business-like tones:
you're my prisoner Don't dare
move"
There was no levity in her denneanor.
You're under arrest-for holding
up the First National bank"
The man laughed. Not only did his
even. white teeth laugh, but so did
his gray eyes.
by gingo! The lady sheriff."
And~he laughed again. But the de-
ternined look in the black orhs that
sighted down the barrel of the re-
volver caused his countenanee to
undergo a grave change.
Her riding suit was covered with
loose snow. and tiny ieicles hung from
the brm OF her broad hat and from
| her black tresses.
| You're my prisoner" she repeated.
and I'LL have to deliver you to JUS
| tice-even tho you are Jim Wheeler"
For the first time her voice faltered.
but the arm that leveled the weapon
did not.
I'm glad I found you out, Jim.
| Really. never should have suspected
you We're such a desperate character.
No wonder you We're displeased when
| l was elected; no wonder you scoffed
at a weman--espeeially one of nay
youth, you said-helding such a posi-
ton in this wild countryl You in
| tended, when we were married, to lead
a lawless life, and expected me to be;
your accomplice, no doubt. I'm glad
found You out before it was too late"
| There was peculiar look in the
mans eyes that might have meant ar
most anything. 1t was g. rather
| whimsical expression, altho other
1 emotions were expressed.
But, Jessie" he protested, and
| began to rise slowly from his chair.
Don't dare to get upl" she fared.
TIL shoot--even if it is you, Jim
i was Just going to offer you the
chair" he drAWled. you're covered
with snow and you must be tired; for
you've tramped far. no doubt"
| Thanks, I'll stand" she returned
changing the gun from her right to
her left hand, because the former was
tired Its true, Jim, I'm cold and
tired; for 1 followed your footprints
| thru that heavy snow, and 1 had to
travel fast so the fresh snow wouldn't
obliterate them before I reached the
end of the trail.
He remained half seated and half
standing, resting a knee on the chair.
Come on, sit down. he insisted,
| Il m under arrest, you say. Very
well, I'll be good-but sit down.
She permitted him to walk across
the room, while she, still covering him,
Unanswered so she could take the
place he had vacated.
Move ever in front of me-" she di-
rected and he obeyed. She relaxed
somewhat in order to enjoy the
warmth. but still kept an eye on him
Jim" she said suddenly, why did
you 90 it? Did you need the money,
or did not Intentionally put me in
this dilemma? Jim, you ought to-
| realize I didn't mean it when l said.
] everything was over between us. Buts
! really was angry because you OBJ
jected to my running for this office,
and when. just as I was feeling elated
over my victory at the polls, you said
it was no job for lady, flared up
and told you to leave me and never
come back. But of course, I really
! didn't mean it."
"You told me to do something
worth while, to show that man was
superior to woman. You said I claim
ed woman was Inferior, altho I did
did nothing of the Sort
And so you went and held up a
/ bank" she said, scornfully. This
was your idea of something worth
while. Jim, really I cared for you;
but of course now
/ "Of course, now" he repeated,
and turned his eyes full upon her.
You're my prisoner" she remind
ed. her jaw hardening 81 must for
get what you once meant to me. I'm
sheriff of Amazon county, and I've
sworn to uphold the law. BY catch.
ing the bank bandit right at the start
of my term I'll prove my fitness for
the position. Further than that, I'll
prove Woman's right to take her place
on the same plane with man"
Without replying he reached into
| a pocket and brought out a. sack of
tobacco from which he filled a pipe.
"Object If 1 smoker" he inquired.
pausing before scratching a match on
the wall.
certainly not" she said. Smoke
as much as you like, and when your
tobacco is exhausted I'll see that you
get nlere-in your cell"
Thanks" he said, dryly. and
lighted the pipe. Nov, if you'll per-
init me to say few words in my own
Useless" she cut in Don't try
pleading. Prove that you're a real
man. It's hard enough for me the
way it Is. We had better start back to
town now"
Listen" he admonished. and a
roaring sound outdoors struck her ear.
"A blizzard's raging" he said.
Hear it howl! Surely youth not try
to go back with me in the storm WHY.
could everpower you and get away
easily. Better stay here awhile and
I'll promise to be passive. You can
see that if intended to escape I could
do it in the storm, SO you can't lose
anything by remaining
She saw the reason in this and
lapsed into silence. staring into the
fire. Under her wary eye the man
threw another log on the blaze. and
, she sat and watched it burn, while he
stood and puffed at his pipe. For half
an hour perhaps they maintained
these attitudes. Presently tears began
to trickle from her eyes, and of a sud
den she turned to him and cried:
"Jirn,. 1 can't do it You can find
your way in the storm all right Leave
me here-and go away"
He knocked the ashes from his
pipe.
VERY we'll" he said 'T'H so-if
you wish it. But do you realize YOU'RE
deliberately violating your oath of Of
flee and abandoning a chance to make
Pnnd at the sta IF 9,f -