The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-09-08

ing me into the aW1ul abyss OF uncertain
ties and utter destruction
mr.. King, l am sorry said Murs
gently, Il cannot help YOUR loving me,
but nv decision il final. 1 can never be
your wife, for l do not love you."
You love some one else then, said
King angrily, II demand to know VINO
has supplanted me-"
s"You have no right to ask" said Mura
flushing. ut should be enough for you to
know that do not love you and can never
be your wife"
IF can never call you wife, I swear
that no other man ever shall. +" hotly, and
realizing that he had said too much, ne
hastily apologizsd.
II beg your pardon, Miss Farnsworth.
my mad love for you overcsme my better
reason let's drop the subject and be
friends.''
II will on one condition, that you never
again mention thu subject.
Agreed, Mura, but its:awfully hard. :"
They were nearing the house now and
would soon separate. King had decided to
see Harry, for he well knew that he was
his rival.
MY birthday comes on the 4th, Mr..
King; 1 will be l6"
"Ah, sweet sixteen, said Vincent, and
there was peculiar CLEAN in his eye that
Mura failed to notice, and lifting his hat
he rode on toward the corral while Mura,
dismounting, gave her horse over to
Chico. Vincent King rode up to where
Harry Strathmore was standing and greet
ing him Familiarity, began chatting freely
on various subjects.
"Strathmore, congratulate me; I have
captured the biggest prize on the border"
what, not the renegade?" said Harry
quickly.
20, my no, laughing, ITS Mura. the
idol of the Earnsworth ranch she has
promised to become Mrs. King"
Harry Strathmore staggered back,
clutching at his heart and tried to speak,
but his tongue would not move. He
never for moment doubted King.
Although he and Mnra had been on quite
friendly terms since the day of her rescue.
yet he had never mentioned word OF
love. but he had looked upon her in that
light and he thought she was not indiffer-
ent to him. King appeared not to notice
his agitation and after moments hesi-
tation said: why, Harry, don't you in
tend to wish me well?"
NO." he said coldly, and turning alb
ruptly walked off and left King. There
was quiet smile on Kings face as he
muttered to himself. 1.-The fool swallowed
the bait better than l expected
For the next two or three days Harry
purposely avoided meeting Mura and on
one or two occasions turned from her alb
ruptly. She could not fail to notice this
ride with her. but he cody informed her
that she had better 60 with KING. which
she did as he came up just as she was
ready to start. The next two days before
the tournament Harry and Mura did not
speak. On the morning of the 4th, every
thing was excitement about the ranch,
for all the cowboys were preparing to 60
and mostof them to join in the contest that
was to be held about twenty miles dis
tant from the ranch. OF course Harry
Strathmore would 60, for all his friends
expected he would be winner in many OF
the contests and especially the rifle match
which was to be the great feature of the
day. handsome prize to be given to the
winner. The tournament grounds were
tastefuly decorated with flags and we're
well arranged.
A ring or impromptu track had been
ade for the exhibition Of horsemanship,
as this was to be one of the main feat
ures of the day, for the Texans appreciate
good rider. Targets We're placed along
the side OF the ring for the shooting on
horseback. A target was placed for the
foot racing, catching a creased pig and
few minor sports.
Foot racing was the first on the pro.
gramme, and the 500 yard race was won
BY an Indian named Red Leaf, VINO was
as fleet rs a deer. He also won the high
jump. After few OF the unimportant
events was to be the exhibition of horse
manship, such as riding bucking broncos,
getting ON and off the horse at full speed,
picking up objects from the ground, etc.
Among the entries for difficult riding were
Harry Strathmore, Vincent King and sew
eral OF the riders" Some excellent rid.
ing was given by an INDIAN named Red
Cloud, Lariat Bill, King and Others. but
Harry Strathmore capped the climax in
oh OF 10
lessness was q wonder, his friends were
really alarmed for his safety. They had
never seen him so reckless before. He
also won the revolver contest from horse
back; he would ride at full speed past
target and fire FIVE shots, seldom one
failing to find the bell.
Next was to be the great rife match.
All were quiet while the judges read the
conditions of the match. The firing was
to be al 3-inch target, 100 yards distant,
each contestant firing fifty consecutive
shots off-hand. The best score was to
receive handsome medal; the entrance
fee being S.. There were quite mum Der
OF entries, as good shots were not scarce
IN Texas at that time. The judge began
ealing off the names and each man took
his place and began riring.
"Senor Pedro Ferdinand" called out
the Judge.
A flashily and richly dressed Mexican
stepped to the front and began firing; no
particular attention was paid until he
had reached his thirtieth shot. when the
crowd began to brighten up; when he
stopped shooting he had scored forty
bells, which was ahead OF anything that
had been made, the best being only
twenty-six bells; some Tad made only
four or five.
Vincent King was the next to shoot.
He did some good work, scoring forty-two
BELLS being ahead of the Mexican.
Harry Strathmore," called out the
stentorian voice of the judge, and the
last man TO shoot.
All was excitement as Harry took his po-
sition. for most every one expected him
to make good score. He began firing
rapidly and at every crack of the ifle
there was ring Vt the bell; he hao a
strange smile on his lpis, for he intended
to win the match, as King was ahead SO
far.
As soon as one rife was empty be
would pick up another, as supply was
When he laid down his third rifle at the
forty fifth shot, he had not missed bell,
and there was ripple of excitement, fol
he was already winner. He quickly
picked up his fourth rifle, and ping, ping
went the bell for the fftieth time. Every
hat was off for the cheers. and the Judge
was saying: II declare Harry Strain
more to be-"
Hold on, judge; want hand in thi!
little game" Instantly every eye wa
The Rifle Queen" issued from a hun.
dred threats. Harry Strathmore had no
| expected to see Mura there. consequent,
her sudden appearance surprised hin
| greatly. The arrangements being com