Maniates Belle Kanaris - Penny of Top Hill Trail

Belle Kanaris Maniates

Penny of Top Hill Trail

CHAPTER I

On an afternoon in early spring a man lounged against the wall of the station waiting for the express from the east. Slender of waist and hip, stalwart of shoulder, some seventy-two inches of sinewy height, he was the figure of the typical cattleman. His eyes were deep-set and far-seeing; his lean, brown face, roughened by outdoor life, was austere and resolute in expression.

The train had barely stopped when a boyish-looking, lithe-limbed youth leaped from the platform. The blue serge suit and checked cap he wore did not disguise the fact that his working clothes his field uniform were those of a cow-puncher. A few quick strides brought him to the man in waiting.

Hoped youd be on hand to meet me, Kurt, so I could get out to the ranch to-night. Hows things up there?

Just the same as they were when you left, Jo, said the one addressed in whimsical tone. Youve only been gone ten days, you know.

You dont say! ejaculated Jo, following his companion through the depot. City does age a man.

Gone are the days of The Golden West when spurred and revolvered horsemen sprang into saddles and loped out of the brush, or skimmed over matted mesquite on a buckboard drawn by swift-running ponies.

A long racing car was waiting for the two men and they were soon speeding over a hard-baked, steel-like road that led up, around and over the far-flung, undulating hills before them.

I thought Kingdons best car was worth a million bucks before I went to Chicago, said Joe critically, but it sure would look like a two-spot on Michigan Avenue.

The other smiled indulgently.

I trust everything out here wont suffer by comparison with the things you have seen during your journey.

I should say not! It all looks pretty good to me. I wouldnt change this trail to Top Hill for all the boulevards and asphalts of Chicago, and our ranch-house has got any hotel I saw skinned by a mile for real living. I had some vacation, though, and it was mighty good of you to send me on that business. I tended to it, all right as soon as I got there, before I took in any of the sights or let loose for my time. I wont forget it in you, Kurt to send me instead of going yourself.

Well, Jo, youd been cooped up here a long time for a youngster, said Kurt, laying a hand on the younger mans shoulder, and I saw you were rarin for a little recreation. I thought you would settle down to a hard seasons work if you let out a little. I received your report and check. You managed that cattle deal very shrewdly. Kingdon was much pleased.

Thats encouraging, but I feel better at pleasing you, Kurt.

They rode on without talking for some distance. From time to time Kurt cast a searching glance at the young man whose eyes shone with a strange, steady light a look of exaltation and despair combined.

The car slowed down to conversational need.

What tis, Jo? Did you come to grief when you let loose? Let go all your earnings in one big game without any way-slips, or did you have such a round of theatres, cabarets and night-life that you are feeling the depression of reaction?

Youre guessing wrong, replied Jo quietly. I know thats the way most of us grass-fed men act when we get a chance at white lights. I had a beautiful time that was as short and as far off as a pleasant dream. As I said, I started out for a regular time, but I didnt take a drink, or touch a card, or say, Kurt, I think Id like to tell you about it! I know you wont kid me, for Im in earnest and in trouble.

Another quick glance at the blue eyes, usually so brimming with sparkling gayety but which were now serious and despondent, brought a transformation to the grim face of the older man, making him look kinder, warmer, younger.

Shoot, Jo! was all he said, but the lad felt that the crude word was backed up by a real interest, a readiness to hear and advise.

Some one gave me a steer to a dance place, he began. Hurricane Hall, I think it was called, and as soon as I looked in, I saw it was tougher even than a cowboys cravings called for; but I sort of stuck around until I happened to look at one of the tables over in a cornered-off place. A little girl was sitting there alone, different from all those other fierce-looking ones who were dressed in high water skirts and with waists that looked as if they needed inside blinds to get by.

She had on a white dress, a real dress not a skirt and bib that covered her, and without much fixings. Her hair was drawn back plain like a kids. I knew right off shed got in wrong, and I thought it was up to me to get her out of that joint.

I went over to her and said: Excuse my nerve, little girl, but I guess youre in the wrong pew.

She looked at me sort of funny; then she smiled and said: Same to you!

Her voice sounded like low, soft music contralto kind.

Yes; I said. Youre right. Im a cowboy, not a country boy, and Im in Chicago to see the sights; but Id ask for blinders if I stayed around here much longer. Who brought you here?

Nobody, she said, looking down. I came by myself.

Im glad of it, I tell her, and Im the guy thats going to take you away from here.

Why? she asked me, and how do you know Ill go with you.

Shed kept her eyes away from me all this time. I said: Look at me.

She did. Right at me, the way kids do not bold just curious. Good night! It did something to my heart when her eyes looked into mine that way.

Can you trust me? I asked after a minute.

Yes, she said; and I knew she meant it.

I want to dance with you, I told her, but I dont want to do it here.

Where can we go? she asked.

I know a man in Chicago, I said, who has asked me to come to his place. It aint stylish enough for you, but its run right and respectable. It aint very far from here. Reillys. Know it?

Ive heard of it, she said, but Ive never been there.

Of course she hadnt. Id seen right off she was just a kid and hadnt been around to places.

Will you go there with me now? I asked her.

Yes; she said. I know youre all right.

Maybe I wasnt feeling good when Id got her out of there and steered her through the streets! She was a little mite of a thing, and young, but very quiet; her eyes had a sad look.

We went to Reillys: He was up here in the hill country once for a vacation the time you were out on the coast. We fellows gave him some time, and he liked it fine. Well, he told us the place was ours. The music was great, and we started right out on the floor. Say! I was feeling as fit and stepping as lively as if I had had a million drinks, but I hadnt had one. There was no getting around it. That little girl in her white dress had landed me one right over the heart. She slipped into my arms as quick as she had into my heart, too. I danced the way I felt, and she well, she was right with me every time: the slickest little stepper I ever saw. Not dance-mad, like those professional kind; she let me set the pace and she followed any lead.

Reilly came up to us on the floor and offered to introduce us to folks. I asked him if he remembered the time I gave him out west, and he said he could never forget it and he was now aiming to return it best he knew how. Take it from me, I said, that I can get right returns from you if youll not give any other fellow the chance to butt in on these dances. Im on, he said, and he let us alone.