Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-07-31
A DESERT CLAIM.
By MARY E. sTIOKNEY.
loopyrighA 1904 by J. B. Lippincott Company.l

BY MARY II. STlUkNEY.
[oopyrighA 1904 by J. B. Lippincott Company. ]
CHAPTER III.
A fortnight later, and the reign Of re-
pose had passed away. 'The place
where nothing ever happened" as Mel
sine liked so we'll to describe her home
to remote correspondents, was now a
scene of restless stir and activity which
filled every working hour of the day
with fresh interest, for Paul Brown had
come, ard the whole ranch was given
over to the business of horse breaking.
The hurryipg hoofs Of the horse herd
coming in from outside pastures were
now the family reveille, several times
tempting them out in the fresh, dew
washed morning air to watch the open
ing performance Of the day. This, the
cutting out from the herd of some 18 or
30 head for the days work, involving
much expert throwing of the twine, \"
in cowboy phrase, was scene of much
excitement, as at the first fall of the
lariat the animal that had never yet
known the touch Of human hand was
always driven mad with terror, fighting
for freedom IN frenzy which not in
frequently carried the captor captive,
with no little rude jostling, around the
corral before the rope could be safely
brought around the stout snubbing post
in the center Of the ground. If the colt
happened to be especially vicious, he
was forced into the secure pen of slabs
known as the chute or thrown to the
ground and hobbled until the hackamore
halter of rope could be slipped in place,
and it was at this point that Paul
Browns marvellous influence became
apparent. Once the hackamore was ad-
justed he would begin murmuring in
soothing monotone, as though quieting
fractions child, expostulating, reason
ing, as though the animal could under
stand, a curious tenderness as we'll as
an infexible purpose in the tone, which
seemed almost to hypnotize the unhap-
py animal, which presently, to its own
surprise, as it seemed, would be led
about the corral as though helpless to
resist that subtle charm of voice and
eye.
cit is the iron hand in the velvet
glove" Mrs. Ellery remarked as they
stood looking on over the fence.
"9ut the horse will be avenged even
tually, observed Hugh comfortably be-
tween the puffs of his cigar. '"The av-
erage life of these fellows is but seven
years after they start in on that sort OF
work. For awhile they go on conquering
and to conquer, so to speak, but sooner
,or later each meets his little Waterloo
he gets tumble that Injuries him in
ternally, he develops a kidney trouble
or something in that line, and next
thing he rides horse of another color
over the range. e."
tIt is dreadful, murmured Edith,
whether referring to fate of man or
horse was not clear, as she watched
with sort Of unwilling admiration the
stalwart figure that with the magnifi.
Gently developed strength of perfect
manhood was combating the struggles
of colt bent on refusing the torture Of
the 'bitting rig" She had her camera
with her and had been that morning
photographing the horse, and inciden-
tally the horse trainer, in all possible
poses. "But it is magnificent" her
cheeks glowing, her breath coming fast
er, as she pressed the button for one last
snap shot
They stopped to order the breakfast
served as they passed the pantry win.
dow, on the other side of which Artalis-
So was molding bread. "And can you
see the circus from here?" Mrs Ellery
asked, disposed to wheedling gracious.
ness in view of the fact that they had
kept the meal waiting.
"I've got too much to do to be watch
in lot Of fool colts, let alone maxim
that man Brown more conceity and
stuck up than ever" She sullenly beat
at the white mound of dough while she
shot one swift glance at Miss Ellery's
dainty, lace trimmed gown, with its
flutter Of pale blue ribbons. "He thinks
enough of himself now, goodness knows,
though that's generally the way with
these good lookin fellows" muttering
the last as though somewhat repenting
her first petulance
''He is good looking, is ne not?" re-
turned Mrs. Ellery suavely, glancing
back at the corral with charming air
of inconsistencies.
"H'ml I've seen some enough sight
handsomer," the girl exclaimed, tossing
her head with elaborate indifference.
"Do you think so? Then I hope you
will whisper it to Jim, Artalissa. for,
do you know, I fear the poor fellow
sadly needs some sort Of consolation"
Artalissa simpered and bridled.
"Well, I'm sure he's got no business
thinkin anything, SO far as I'm con-
cerned, Mis- Ellery. I wouldn't have
him if he was made of gold from head
to foot and was as big as an elephant to
boot"
well, were he such freak as that
I should certainly hope not" cried Mrs.
Ellery laughing amusedly as they
walked away. "But what a touchy
creature she is'' she observed, with
some anxiety, when they We're beyond
range of the open window. WAS it be-
cause we kept the breakfast waiting that
l. IN, ln