Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-13

now? In the midst of these rough, profane
men. informed by the dominating senti-
ment OF greed, was she to funk" and
fail? No! She bit her white under lip to
redness, she drew herself up to her full
height, and grasped the reins more firmly
IN her gauntleted hand.
Hark-a gunl The flag at the military bar
racks yonder drops to the ground. 1t Is
the signal!
Instantly as If moved by one wild spirit
of freedom and defiance for the carrying
OF firearms has been strictly prohibited),
there Is an answering volley from hun
dIeds OF revolvers discharged into the air.
yells from thousands of thirst-dried threats
the line of battle started forward-not at
walk. not at quickstep, but at a runl
Lucy Is nearly paralyzed for an instant.
out Bonnie Belle is not. She Is of like the
bolt from catapult. pounding through the
dust and straining at her bride.
For a moment 1t is all a daze, a delirium
TO the girl. Then her senses come back
ner nerves steady themselves. The dust
niled whirl about her resolves itself into
hazy forms OF horse and rider at highest
tension, OF ungainly prairie schooners
iurching wildly by after their galloping
horses of figure or two thrown. with bit
ter cries, into the very midst of the melee
She sickens and fixes her gaze betwe an
the mares ears, resolved not to look,
though every now and then a howl. an
oath or hoarse laugh will break in upon
the steady roar of the numberless hoof
beats. Bonnie Belle. slim, quick and grace
ful as woman, and with the female genius
for persistence, seizes every opening.
After a time, during which Lucy has
oeen simply swept along. as easily and with
as little conscious volition as are the plan
cts through space she finds herself among
still rougher element in this strange race
she has outstripped the honest householder
and reached the reckless cowboy, leading
the train. AS she perceives this, and notes
the motley crew pressing her closely on
every SIDE for the first time a womanly
tromOr thrills her brcast She fhair
lawlessness well, and gives a quick, anx-
lous glance about her at their swerthy,
careless faces Ae the same instant they
greet her presence among them with rough
cries OF gallantry, which make her heart
beat thick and fast II she had only stayed
In the safer crowd behind! But Bonnie
Belle Is quite beyond her control now. She
has settled to her gait and has no thought
of anything but first place in this heat.
She has known cowboys before, carried
them. too. and she proposes to keep her po-
sition with them now!
Lucy Is half ashamed of her tremors, but
they are acutely real, nevertheless. 1t is a
horribly lonesome thing for girl to be rid
ing, unattended. over the open prairie amid
such a crowd of irresponsible men. If there
were but one friendly face in sight
She turns her head uneasily for a glance
back over her shoulder. catches one swift.
hazy glimpse of face that is familiar in
spite of it's dusty disguise, and before she
has time to wonder hears the sudden ex-
clamation-"Lucy"
The next instant the other riders Eorse
Is at her side. his hand is touching hers,
and for one blissful minute she cannot
see for tears as she murmurs:
'Oh, Charlie. I'm so gladv
1t Is the only explanation necessary. The
glance, the tone of perfect trust, are
enough for the most exacting heart, and
from that moment the hard ride is for both
but swift rush for Eden.
At first Bonnie Belle resents the big rcan
pressing her TANKS, but as a wet sponge is
passed swiftly between her frothing Jaws
bringing relief and refreshment, she ceases
to fret, and the two pound along side by
side, a well-matched pair. Side by side,
full of meaning, the two riders leave the
seventeen miles behind them, and their
good steeds, reeking with foam, but still
sound In wind, bring them to the govern
ment quarters which mark the center of
Perry just sixty minutes after the signal
gun.
Lucy drops to the ground in a little heap
nearly spent, while Charlie, f1inging her
both brides. has quickly staked out two de-
sirable claims. which will soon be worth
their hundreds. Meanwhile the helpful
girl has pulled herself together, and Is
caring for the noble beasts as best she can,
when Charlie stations her beside him to
hold their own against the rush.
1t was a wild. tumultuous moment but
they are close together, and his hand clasps
hers, while he bends closer.
Lucy, dearest, you can give your claim
to the old folks-mine is for you! There'll
be minister along pretty soon, and nv
tent is coming by the first train. Why
should We wait? Let us be married and
begin right here-together. VIII you, dar-
ling?"
And clear amid the yells, the shooting.
the mad rush OF incoming settlers half
craZed with thirst, fatigue and excitement.
ne plainly hears her honest answer, Yes"