The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1890-02-01

ground and still encircled by Perrys
arm, Miss Maitland stands leaning heav.
lily on his breast. She is very pale for a
moment, partly from exhaustion, partly
from pain, for there was no timo to free
her foot from the stirrup, and the ankle
is severely wrenchcd. Nolan, riderlcss
now and cast loose, stands with lowered
head and hcaving flanks, a sympathetic
but proudly heroic locker on; he knows
he has played his part in that rescue.
The huge English hunter is plunging in
misery among tho mounds few yards
back, his fore leg broken. Ono of the
troopers has seized his bride, and am
other is unstrapping the heavy English
saddle. "Splendidly done" says the eolo-
mel, as he trots carefully up, casting a
glance at the fallen cause of all the mis-
chief; "but if that saddle had been one
of those three pronged denominations he
couldn't have swept her off as he did"
Graham has gallopcd to the stream
for water, and the colonel lifts Mrs.
Sprague from her saddle, and together
they advance to offer sympathy and aid.
Mrs. Lawrence follows as quickly rs she
can pick her way among the prairie dog
holes. Dana has deserted Mrs. Bclknap,
and she alone remains mounted while
all these others throng about the two
who stand there for the moment, cling
ing to each other. And now Gladys
Maitland has raised her head; bushes
of shame and confusion triumph over
pallor and pain; she strives to stand
alone, but Perry bids her desist. The
moment she sees Mrs. Sprague's sweet,
womanly, sympathetic face her eyes are
filled with comfort and her heart goes
out to her. Most reluctantly Perry re-
signs his prize to the arms that open to
receive her, and then como the wonder
ing explanations of some, and the brief
breathless explanations.
"Don't try to talk yet" pleads Mrs
Sprague eve are only too glad it was
no WORSE"
"Indeed, I'm not hurt" answers Gla-
dys, bravely-"only little wrench,
hut" and she laughs nervously, trying
to carry it off with all the pluck and
spirit Of her race, sit would have been
what wo call nasty cropper' at home
if'-and her eyes turn shyly yet with a
world of gratitude to his-"it had not
been for Mr.. Perry"
"Oh, then you know Mr.. Perry!' ex-
claims Mrs. Sprague, with frank delight,
and Mrs. Lawrence turns in rejoicing to
look first in his glowing face, then at the
dark beauty of Mrs. Bclknap silently lis
teniny. "Why, VIC had no idea And
she concludes irrcsolutely.
"Oh, yes; we met at the ranch-at
home. L am Miss Maitland, you know;
and that is my fathers place. But we've
only just come," she adds, with the wo-
mans natural desire to explain to now
found friends why and how it was that
they had not met before. And then the
group is joined by bulky young Briton
in the garb of Il groom, though modified
to suit the requirements of frontier life;
he comes cantering to the sceno all cl-
bows and CONSERVATION; he gives groan
of dismay at sight of the PROSTATE hun
ter, but rides directly to his mistress.
She is paling again now, and in evident
pain, and Perry's face is study as he
stands, his eyes rivcted upon her; but she
tries to smile and reassure him.
"You'll have to ride to Dunr-to the
ranch, Griggs," she said; "and-thcre's
no help for it-papa will havo to be told.
Let them send for me"
pardon me, Miss Maitland" inter-
rupted Col. Brainard. "You arc almost
under the walls of Fort Rossiter. and
Dunravcn is miles away. have sent a
swift horse for DR.. Quin and a spring
ambulance. We cannot let you go home,
now that you are SO near us, until you
have had rest and proper care
Indeed we cannot. Miss Maitland,"
chimed in both ladics a. = breath "Yon
are to come right IL nv house until v"i
are tic To travel
I'm not very fit Just now, certainly.
she answers, with Il faint smile: ''but
can surely wait here until they send;
twill not be more than an hour at most"
"It will betwo l.ours-pcrhaps three
Miss Maitland" pleaded Perry, bending
eagerly forward. "Do listen to our la
dies!'
And "our ladies" prevailed. While
Griggs went sputtering off to Dunravcn
with the sorrowful news, the strong
arms of Perry and Graham lifted and
bore their English captive to the shade
of Il clump of cottonwoods. Mrs.
Sprague and Mrs. Lawrence managed
to make a little couch for her as a tenn