The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-10-24
CHAPTER ~.

CHAPTER ~.
THE PURSUIT.
On and on with the speed Of the wind
dashed the two horses, bearing In flight
to safety the intrepid Darrell Grey and
the courageous and lovely 1nez Tracey.
Before them, mile after mile, spread
the broad, level prairie, in places like
an emerald carpet dotted with spangles
of flowers of the rarest hue and beauty,
and again grown high with rank, heavy
grass
The horses they rode were rapid trav-
elers, and within an hour. as they
glanced backward, they saw no , sign OF
their pursuers.
@Your enemies have either abandoned
the chase, or the long grass hides them,"
remarked Darrell, as he allowed the
horses to proceed more slowly and
glanced over the fair moonlit picture
spread before them, and then at the girl
at his side.
Darrell Grey had led an adventurous
life and had seen many fair women IN
many climes, but he confessed, as he
gazed at the lovely creature who was
his companion in fight, none 80 beauti.
full as Inez Tracey.
Perhaps it was the novelty and excite
ment Of their situation; perhaps 1t was
because two earnest, ingenious spirits
had met and recognized q magnetic con.
genialitY in youth and beauty; but at all
events, as their eyes met, love became
mutual though unexpressed.
Inez Tracey found an interested lis
tenor in Darrell Grey, when she briefly
related her past and the events that had
eliminated in the adventure OF the
night X
In return, Darrell told her who he
was-a surveyor sent West on business.
He had become fascinated with wild
Western life, and had for some years
been engaged in the law and mining
business in California
He was about to return East in q few
weeks, and quite by accident had come
to the little station at Ten Spot, crossing
thither in stage coach from a mining
settlement located in the mountains that
day.
Darrell briefly related the episode Of
the wounded messenger, and modestly
referred to his adventure at the trestle.
The deep blue eyes Of Inez Tracey
looked into his own, as she listened
breathlessly to his story Of the attempt
ed signal to the train.
1--WE have been proceeding aimlessly,
thinking only of evading our foes" said
Darrell, finally. u am, in measure,
unacquainted in this locality except at
the mining camps in the hills"
~ wished to reach Miners Gulch, II
possible" said Inez, "but am at loss
to locate it,"
aThen you have been here before2"
asked Darrel.
ayes; I came to see my father about
five years ago. Since then have been
at school in California, which I left last
week when I received letter directing
me to come here, and that friend OF
my dead father would meet and care
for me-"
@And this man whom you call Despard
he is a relative, you say?" inquired
Darrell, curiously.
"a very distant one Of my father, who
never liked him and warned me against
him. Last summer he met me at
summer resoft, whittier our teachers
had taken US for weeks vacation. I
had met him at my fathers ranch, be-
yond Miners Gulch, and I never liked
him. He annoyed me with his atten-
rions, and LETT me very angry when l
avoided him, and told him finally that I
did not wish to continue the acquaint-
ance, for I received letter from my
father warning me against him, and
telling me that Dyke Despard was plot
ting against him and myself, and that
be was renegade and On outlaw.
"And since thsn?" asked Darrell.
II have never met him until tonight,
when you heard what he said, and know
that be must have some deep object in
preventing my going to the Gulch."
@Then be will be disappointed for
once, Miss Tracey" said Darrell; @for we
can find the place by morning. Oh, it
Just occurred to me! You say you ex-
pected q friend to meet you at the
depot9"
man who has been known In this region
for years as scout His name Is
Ranger Ralph"
II have heard Of him. Do you know
him-that is, we'll enough to recognize
him from description"
II have not seen him since ! was q
child. I do not think I would. Why do
you ask?"
Because have an idea that these
horses belong to him, and that he is the
man who told me first Of the train
wreckers. If this is so, the horses prob
ably came from Miners Gulch, and we
will allow them to proceed their own
way. They may lead US to the very
place to which you desire to CO."
Darrell loosened the rudely improVised
bride and allowed the steeds to take
their own course. They now began to
leave the prairie and finally entered a
canyon, following the course Of little
stream.
"There seems to be regular trail
here" said Darrell II believe we are
on the right road at last, Miss Tracey"
"You are taking great deal Of trou-
BILE for me-" murmured Inez, gratefully.
"What! in running away from the
outlaw myself to a place Of safety?"
laughed Darrell, banteringly. @No, no;
we were partners in peril at the railroad
train, and but for you I might have re-
NAMED and been killed. AS 1t is, as
soon as I have placed you out Of danger,
will return and learn the fate Of those
who we're attacked by the train wreck
ers"
AS they rode on, however, Dare,
wished that sucn charming companion;
ship could last always.
The dawn had come while they were
riding through the canyon. 1t was
scarcely distinguishable from the moon
light as yet, but soon they knew the full
day would break, enabling them more
accurately to determine their where
abouts.