The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-04-06
EDening Story
The Outlaw.
BY r. RAY BAKER.

i Bob Darrell, but the examination
paper scandal was beyond the limit of
her endurance. She had deplored his
\ wretched showing as a student and
his numerous escapdaes, and loved
him none the less for them, but when
he was expelled for pilfering the
papers she realized that events mad
/ arrived at a climax which made nee
/ essary an important decision concern
ing her future. 1t was the most diff
/ cult task she ever undertook, but she
| tried to be sensible. She never could
marry a man she did not respect and
| certainly she could have no respect for
a man expelled from college for the
misdeed of which the faculty had
/ found Bob guilty.
/ So Beatrice informed Bob that their
/ engagement must be terminated at
! once and she told him frankly why.
| You have disappointed me, Bob,
| she said II was in hopes you would
! settle down and make something OF
yourself-like your brother. But
you've been an outlaw during your en-
J tire course and instead of graduating
with honor you're expelled with dis
1 honor. I could have stood anything
but the last. but I can see now that
| could never be happy with you. If
only you had the industrious traits that
your brother possesses you would come
I somewhere making an ideal husband,
| but as it is-well, it is better that we
| part"
Bob hung his head and bit his lip.
''As you wish it, Bee. 1 don't know
that 1 can blame you. But I want you
to know that I did not steal the
papers. no matter how much the evil
deDce was against me. And tell me
will you. whether Joe has anything
to do with this decision"
Joe was the brother that had been
mentioned. Beatrice had known him
and been friendly. with him before
she met Bob.
mo. not a thing" said Beatrice. ''I
used to like him, and I do yet, but
nothing more. I admire him for his
ambition. and have wished you would
emulate him. but otherwise he means
nothing in my life 1t may interest
you TO know that 1 intend returning
to school myself and finishing my
medical course.I will have a career
instead of a husband"
And J." said Bob, lugubriouSly,
''am going out west and get shot by an
Indian. You have called me an out
law and that's what I'll bean outlaw
from the civilized world, roaming the,
mountains over, soothed by the soli-
tude-untiI I get shot"
Bob was just about heartbroken.
for ali of his attempt at levity. Bea-
trice's reinsurance concerning his
brother did not convince him, and he
was inclined to the belief that she
had rather deep feelings concerning
Joe. Bob had always been jealous of
Joe. and he was more SO now than
ever. The blow. coupled with the eX-
pulsion. was severe. If ever he need
ed some one to be loyal to him it was
now, and get he could not blame Bea-
trice for her attitude.
Certainly ne would not stay in town,
and he did not. He vanished from
Beatrice'S life, and never a line did
she receive from him. Joe Darrell
was graduated with honOrs. and he,
too, went away from the college town
T1-r,4 ,-Ss. c-t41 Il
tried TO Danish both young men from
her thoughts, and succeeded fairly
WELL so far as one of them was con-
cerned. Three years later she re-
ceived her NJ. d. degree
With this degree, Beatrice went
west at the invitation of an old friend
of the family. DR.. John Fredericks,
who was head of a hospital in SEQ
vile, a prospering town in mountain
mining district. Doctor, Fredericks
offered her a temporary position as
inferno in his institution and she ac-
copied.
En- route Beatrice stopped to visit
a girl friend at Quentin. This town
was fifteen miles from ScoviIle. and
the two places were on different rail-
roads, situation that gave birth to
an auto bus line.
Beatrice took passage on a bus,
along with fifteen other persons
Some of these were expressing fear OF
a holdup, because of the recent oper-
atoms of a Desperate referred to by
the newspapers as Red Mack" be-
cause of the colored strip of cloth that
concealed part of his features. 9th
ers, however, scoffed at the suggestion
that the bus might become prey of the
bandit, for, argued one, the authori-
ties were hot on the mans trail and
he must be in hiding now.
Beatrice paid little attention to the
conversation and interested herself i'll
the scenery that flashed past
-,
tains. where many trees grew on
either side. the holdup' occurred. The
bus came to a sudden stop. and there
in the road, sure enough. was Red
Mask, covering the driver with one
revolver and the passengers with an
other.
One OF the women passengers faint
ed, another screamed. the mems faces
blanched aid Beatrice she was
pale, too, and wished she had hidden
what money and jewelry she carried.
Don't be alarmed. folks" said the
bandit quietly. I'm not after your
cash. What I want--what I've got TO
have-is a doctor. Is there one
aboard?"
He stood beside the road watching
intently thru the windows for any
sign of resistance Beatrice hesitated
over his request, but not for long. She
was proud OF her profession, and she
was willing to assist even an outlaw if
need be.
L am a doctor" she called. "If
you won't shoot III come out"
4 won't, said Red Mask. and she
disembarked. trembling somewhat 1t
required a deal of nerve to thus place
herself at the mercy OF the outlaw.
and perhaps she wouldn't have done it
had she reflected.
Thanks. ma'am," said the bandit
4 have to discommode you. but it's
necessary. Just enter the woods on
that path and I'll follow. I've got
eyes in the back of my head, so don't
try anything please"
She followed orders. and he backed
after her Suddenly he turned and
ran, caught her by a hand and hurried
her along.
Il don't believe they'll care to fol-
low Red Mask" he observed present
" so we can slow down Please ex-
cuse my queer methods, but it was the
only way could get doctor"