Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-09-28

"NOtC," he said, reach out"
She mutely obeyed and soon sat behind
him on the crupper, where he heard her
breath come quick and quivering. Ari.
zony was very near the sobbing stage.
Stirling foreborc to say word until they
reached the opposite bank in safety,
when suddenly she sprang to the ground.
where's your pony;' he asked.
"Undcr that river bed" she replied
with shuddcr. My rife went too. II
seems hardly possible, but Browser was
in to his launches before ] knew where
was just had TO drop everything and
grab for that tree top. Poor fellow
she fairly sobbcd now II heard him
groan like a human when the sand had
him fast. It's all your fault" She turned
upon Stirling f'rcely, much to his as
tonishment. If YOU hadn't come med
ding about. | wouldn't "a been here"
"Perhaps,' he yentured to say, IF you
had not been racing. you would havcno'
ticed the ford better"
Il know | would she replied, her
manner at once softening as she noticed
his kindly concern. well, I've lost
horse, but" with a pitiful attempt at
hulnor Il rather think ] won the race.
Where's Bulger; He gone tooy No; here
you are, old fell We're all alone now.
We've neither horse, land, gun nor nary
thing 'cepti;l our two selves. That's the
fix we're in. Bulger.'
She fondly caressed that unamiable
quadruped. and Stirling once more saw
tears spring to her eyes. He dismountcd
and took her hand.
You must let me help YOU" said he,
land you must get up and ride. You're
wet, and you've had shock that would
unnervc less resolute little boomer.
It's two miles to the camp in Cottontail.
There you'll be among friends, | know"
She shook her head
DO you think I'd ride into our camp
on an officers horse? And you a-footin
it like tramp: Not much. Why, it
would ruin me with EN- all. l mustn't
be seen III your company no sech way,
leftenant, and you know it."
is my company so distasteful" He
still held her hand and was gazing into
AriZony's eyes i'll IA way that might have
made the admiral's daughter jealous.
"Arizony, do let me help You. I've had
to be severe. and it looks as if | brought
you only i'll luck. Won't you let me
make some amends"
She looked at him and at his horse
while her color rose. Then she glanced
around timidly, like bird, wanting yet
hardly daring to fly away. Just then
Bulger whined and thrust his cold nose
into her hand, whcreat Arizony retreat
ed Il few steps and again shook her head
NO. no. she said. You mean to be
kind, but l must 90 to camp by myself
] don't even want EN- TO know I've beer
with you, except as one under arrest. II
would hurt me with EN- all and do You
10 good My fellow would be mad ant
like him too much for that. He'll heal
enough anyhow as it is
While speaking she wrung the waite,
from her skirts, then swapping her fin
gers for Bulgcr waved hand at Stirling
and started off. Fifty yards away sh,
paused and looked back,
"Therell be dance at old man Lun
dy's next week. Ii you're there perhaps
I'll let you take II hand with mc-tha
is. if my fellow don't care
She twirled her wet skirts coquettishly
| and in moment more was out of Stir
lng's sight. He reInounted and rod
| slowly on toward the fort. with rathe
more food for reflection than lie alto
| gether relished. Once or twice h,
glanced back in the direction where Arr
zony had disappeared Then he sighet
gently and finally opened the picture o
the admirals daughter
Il wonder what Stella would think o
this mercurial little specimen of prairi
life? Stella would be rather ratified,
fear. Stella is nothing if not strictly cor
rect. | don't think she would know ex
actly where to place Arizony. Cad
I'm not so certain that | do either"
Then he lcisurely scrutinized the fac
Of the absent lady of his choice A fair
stately, Unconditional sort Of woman sure
ly, yet with strong, serious features an,
pair OF eyes such asa overnight eithe
desire or dread to look upon, according
to his hope or despair