The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1891-02-26
CHAPTER XIV.

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SE< ,s,z!H
MI1dNN HE group that gathers
NyNBM there a moment later Is
'WNH as interested party as
~ the central figures are
~ interesting. Unable to
~ set her left foot to the
ground and still encircled by Perry's
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 time to free
her foot from the stirrup, and the ankle
is severely wrenched. Nolan, riderless
now and cast loose, stands with lowered
head and heaving fanks, 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 the mounds few yards
back, his fore leg broken. One of the
troopers has seized his bride, and an
other is unstrapping the heavy English
saddle. "Splendidly done" says the colo
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 galloped 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 as she
can pick her way among the prairie dog
holes. Dana has deserted Mrs. Belknap,
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; blushes
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
filed 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 come the wonder
ing exclamations Of some, and the brief,
breathless explanations.
Don't try to talk yet" pleads Mrs.
Sprague. 1--WE are only too glad it was
no worse"
"Indeed, I'm no: hurt" answers Gla-
dys, bravely-''only u little wrench,
but" and she laughs nervously, trying
to carry 1t off with all the pluck and
spirit of her race. lit would have been
what we call nasty cropper' at home
ir'-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 1rst in his glowing face. then at the
dark beauty of Mrs. Belknap silently lis
tening. "Why, we had no idea And
she concludes irresolutely.
"Oh, yes; we met at the ranch-at
home. I 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 new
found friends why and how it was that
they hod not met before. And then the
group is joined by bulky young Britor
In the garb Of a groom, though modified
to suit the requirements of frontier life;
he comes cantering to the scene all Ell
bows and CONSERVATION; he gives groa1
Of dislnay ct 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 riveted upon her; but she
tries to smile and reassure him.
you'll have to ride to Dunr-to the
ranch, Griggs," she said; "and-there's
no help for it-papa viii have to be told.
Let them send for me"
"Pardon me, Miss Maitland" inter
rupted Col. Brainard. "You are almost
under the walls of Fort Rossiter. ant
Dunraven is miles away. have sent 8
swift horse for DR.. Quin and spring
ambulance. We cannot let you go home
now that you are so near us, until yor
have had rest and proper care"
"Indeed we cannot, Miss Maitland,
chimed in both ladies at breath. "Yor
are to come right to my house until you
are fit to travel"
''rm not very flt just now, certainly,
she answers, with faint smile; ''but
can surely wait here until they send
twill not be more than an hour at most.
"It win be two hours-perhapst three
Miss Maitland" pleaded Perry, bending
eagerly forward. "Do listen to our la
diesi"
And "our ladies" prevailed. While
Gdggs went sputtering off to Dunrave1
with the sorrowful news, the strong
arms Of Perry and Graham lifted ane
bore their English captive to the shad'
Of q clump Of cottonwoods. Mrs
sprague and Mrs. Lawrence managet
10 make little couch for her as a tenn
pocary resort. Mrs. Belknap rode w
and was formally introduced, then gal
loped away to Rossiter to send blanket,
Tor the picnic couch and see to the Pill
lows Of the ambulance. The colonel anG
Perry remained with the ladies and en-
crossed their attention while Graham
went back and sent two pistol bullet
into the struggling hunters brain. still
ing his pain forever. Then came Dr.
ouin galloping like the wind down tn
familiar trail. chiding 'sGladys' a
though his right to do 90 were a lonI
sstablished thing. and thereby settinI
Perry's teeth on edge. and. long befor,
the call for afternoon stables was sound
Ing. the fair daughter Of Dunravel