The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-31
EDening Story
His Prisoner
BY CLARISSA MACKIE.

BY CLARISSA MACk1E-
The new sheriff of Armadillo county
halted his horse, then abruptly whirled
the animal behind a large rock and
slipped out OF the saddle. From his
position he could peer around the rock
and obtain a. clear view of the Arma-
dillo schoolhouse, forty feet away. 1t
was late on a Saturday afternoon and
OF course there was no school, but the
front door of the building was ajar.
1t happened that the sheriff was
looking for a thief that afternoon, the
one who had broken into the school
house and stolen several things be-
longing to pupils and to Link LARA
bee, the school teacher. School books,
copy paper. pens, pencils, clothing
carelessly left there, stray umbrellas,
had vanished into nothingness, and so
John Wayne, one of the trustees, had
called on the sheriff and in his close
mouthed way vouched the ln1ormation
that it would be well to keep an eye
on the schoolhouse.
And the first moment that Sheriff
Harry Gray turned a pair OF hand
some, tho honest, blue eyes toward the
schoolhouse he scented clue. Pres
emily he heard footsteps on the pare
boards inside, the door opened wider
and a big girl stepped out, closing the
door softly and locking it. The key
she slipped into a pocket of an old
gray coat she wore.
on her arm she carried some cloth
ing, one OF two coats and bright
wool cap.
She glanced hurriedly around. lis
tened for an instant and then darted
around the building and took the tran
that led back thru the trees toward
the river.
The sheriff smiled grimly and shook
his head. He was very young
sheriff, and it had not been SO many
years since he had attended that lit
tie schoolhouse himself and ABSORBED
knowledge under the tutelage or LINK
Larrabee himself. and so that macs
him very sorry to think that any CIR
in Armadillo would be small enough
to break into the sacred precincts OF
the school.
Gee. it's my luck to have to catch
a girl first throw" he grumbled as ne
mounted his horse and started up the
trail after the girl. shes a mlgnty
and some colori What's she doing
with a bunch of old rags-hey! ne
called abruptly as she stood aside to
let him pass.
"Well?" she asked coolly, but he
saw the scared look in her eyes ana
hated himself
where YOU going with all those
clothes and things out of the school
you want these?" she asked
amazedly, holding them out.
He took them from her willing
hands. placing them awkwardly
across his saddle bow. I'm right
sorry to have to do this-a nice girl
like you
IF you have what you want you
had better ride on" she said, stepping
back.
II don't know but what shall take
you along, miss he said gravelyN
"Take me?" There was terror In
tYes'n. should arrest you.'
"You? Arrest me?" He was sur
prised to see that she was holding n
little blue-steeI weapon in her right
hand.
Got me covered, eh?' he laughed
softly, but his eyes did not laugh. He
was full of pity for a girl so astound-
ingly pretty and who was so wicked.
you must be one of Mart Johnson's
girls-over at the Creek" he ventured
after an uncomfortable moment un-
der the blazing defiance of her eyes.
Mart Johnson? Who is he?" she
asked colby.
II thought he might be your IA
ther"
'WelI. are you coming with me?"
he asked after another moment.
NO.
You're under arrest, mann"
She frowned little and then smiled
in a friendly way that delighted him.
He asked himself why the smile of a
mere girl-a girl he was taking to Jail,
too-should set his heart to galloping.
Yes, remember that. I will walk
beside you If you don't mind"
He slipped to the ground and ten
tered his mount. ITS some little
ride, miss" he insisted.
Presently she consented. and he lift
ed her into the big saddle. She chung
to the pommel with both hands. He
watched her from under his lashes
with growing perplexity. Clues, were