Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-06-05

#0V !. "ss so away; Gy.ee un-
fastened the parcels from the tie
strings of her cowgirl saddle, tossed
them into the kitchen, and, taking her
pony's bride over her arm, went to
the corral to put him up herself.
Grace had been but one year froA
the conyentionalities, rehnements and
restrictions of an Eastern home, where,
to all appearances, she was thor
ough-qoing society belle. She had
come to Randall. one OF the Texasp pan
handle counties, to keep house on the
J-T ranch for her brothers, Jack and
Theodore; and she was q moro fear
less rider, q better rustler and q more
complete all-round ranc h woman than
most Texas girls who had been born to
the life; to soy nothing Of her lively
Enjoyment Of the whole thing.
As she strolled down to the CORA
the sun, which was low behind her,
cent a shaft OF light against the spent,
painting side of an upfaniliar pony
tied so u mt it blocked the opening to
the corral; and before she could take
another stepa voice from within called
Sercely:
"Who are you? Stop where you
are, you cursed butchersl I've got
Twelve shots here for you'll"
Grace's first feminine impulse was ..
flee to the house and barricade herself
against a lunatic But the speech was
that of ono pdrsued rather than an
aogressor; then there WAS . bit oi
rising anger Mt being ordered out o.
her corral.
"Who's in there?" she called shsrk
iy; "I want to put my pony mp.
At the sound of the girlish voice a
hand with long, bloody scratch
across the knuckles, reached OUT
against the strange pony's side ano
pushed him back, and tall, young
fellow stepped or rather staggered out
before her.
He was covered with both dust and
mud. and the edge Of blood-stained
handkerchief showed beneath his COW.
boy hat, which he made faint move
ment to raise. But even in such @
plight, and despite the suspicious man;
ner of his introduction, there was the
well-nigh ineffaceable indication OF the
well-bred man about him.
so, I'm sorry; did L frighten you
But I'm at the end of my string. Tn
John Farris from over in San Migue
County-over in New Mexico. There's
crowd Of cowboys from away up II
The Strip after me, for horse thief
I'm not the man they want; but there
no reasoning with them. They hat
me this morning. That's where go
this" lifting his hand to his blood,
handkerchief on his forehead. 'The,
will hang me rs sure as they pu
hands on me, if they don't shoot m
as soon "a they get in pistol range
You've only my word for it, but, j
you can, help me-help me quick
Youll be glad of it."
az know who you are," said Grace
"This is the J-T ranch. I'm the siste
OF Jack Pendleton, who was up buy
ing cattle of you last month. I'm tn
only soul on the place to help you
What shall L do-what can /? Tel
pc quickly"
'It is the tracks" said FnrriA g
see my pony's got broken shoe, an
haven't come across grass. I've bee
in roads fer ten miles-ever since
got across Deaf Smith, and I've lef
them a clear trail to follow. II ther
was any one here to ride the pony O.
and get rid OF him somehow, and yo
would bo willing to hide me, they
go past, eventually"
Glow much time have wey ask ke
Grace; then, rs she looked at him
olinging white and faint TO the CORA
gate, 80, como in the house, and Ii
downl I'll do something"
''No, I'll be all right" answered.
Farris.
"Tm not much hurt. They're abou
two hours behind me, think-I thre,
them ont that much this morning."
1.-TWO hours" said Grace, looktn
at the pony then a thought fashe
lcross her.
az can do beth" said she, ego AM
get rid of the in a way to blind them
and get back in time TO hide or dis
guisc you somo way, safely. And
can talk to them and get them away
Now go and rest" and she jumpe
upon Rush once more, caught hi
pony's bride, which he tossed mp t
her, and hurried away as fast as hi
tired little feet could go. "An th
guns are in the Office room," she calle
back, as Farris's foot was on the door
step. Then dust and distance swal
lowed her mp.
Farris went in to find food, whic
he ate like n famished man then th
guns, which he inspected, loaded An
laid handy, from time to time que,
tioning, with hAggard oye, tho ira
1p which he had come.
1t was a cruel, hard task Grace ha
set herself. She argued with her pit
full heart all tho vsy; and averted he
eyes from the tired pony she WI
leading, lest tho sight of it shoul
Slunt her purpose,
She rode, with all speed possible,
she Punta de Agua, four miles soutl
east Of the ranch, and now runnin
bank-full and furious, on a red ris'
Once there she tried to forco Farris
pony into the creek, and when he r
fused to take water alone, she guesse
desperately at her chances, took h
life in her hands, and drove her ow
frightened and reluctant horse il
with spur and quir. dragging the oths
dter her.
When she had gotten them 10th j,
to the stream edge che held Rush bael
and sont the other shead with a shar
lasa OF her quirt. When she WAS We
into the current she drew her sma
revolver from her saddle poaksA. aime
carefully at his head, and, aetting h
teeth IN sort Of agony over Il
uuelty Of the deed, shot him. ~
Tvhn swSf pA6 mufter{neS VaAe1