Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1893-06-30

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 forebore to say word until they
reached the opposite bank in safety.
when suddenly she sprang to the ground
Where's your pony?" he asked.
"Under that river bed" she replied,
with shudder. MY rife went too. It
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 sobbed now. Il heard him
groan like human when the sand had
him fast. It's all your fault" She turned
upon Stirling fiercely. much to his as
constituent. IF you hadn't come med
ding about, wouldn't a been here"
Perhaps" he ventured to say. "if you
had not been racing. you would have no
ticed the ford better"
II know / would" she replied, her
manner at once softening as she noticed
his kindly concern. "Well, I've lost q
horse, but" with a pitiful attempt at
humor, II rather think l won the race.
Where's Bulger? He gone too7 No; here
you are, old fell. We're all alone now.
We've neither horse. land. gun nor nary
thing 'ceptin 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 dismounted
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 a shock that would
unnerve q 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 'em all. / mustn't
be seen in your company in no sech way,
leftenant. and you know it."
"Is my company so distastefulr He
still held her hand and was gazing into
Arizony's eyes in 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 l 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, whereat Arizony retreat
ed few steps and again shook her head.
mo, no." she said. "You mean to be
kind, but I must 60 to camp by myself.
I don't even want 'em to know I've been
with you, except as one under arrest. It
would hurt me with 'em all and do you
no good. Ny fellow would be mad, and
l like him too much for that. He'll hear
enough anyhow as it is"
While speaking she wrung the water
from her skirts. then swapping her fin
gers for Bulger waved hand at Stirling
ana started off. Fifty yards away she
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 q hand with me-that
is, if my fellow don't care"
She twirled her wet skirts coquettishly,
and in o moment more was out of Stir
hng's sight. He remounted and rode
slowly on toward the fort, with rather
more food for reflection than he alto
gether relished. Once or twice he
glanced back in the direction where Ari-
zony had disappeared. Then he sighed
gently and finally opened the picture Of
the admiral's daughter.
Il wonder what Stella would think Of
this mercurial little specimen Of prairie
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 leisurely scrutinized the face
of the absent lady of his choice. A fair,
stately, Unconditional sort of woman sure
ly, yet with strong, serious features and
q pair of eyes such as lover might either
desire or dread to look upon, according
to his hope or despair.