The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-11-26

halted stiffly until his companion
caught up. She rode near him and sait
demurely: Did l hurt you? Well,
did not mean to. OF course, if yoI
: mean it. must answer. Now, don't be
offended. l think a great deal of you
and when we get back 1 MAJ tell you
whether I will take the horse or not
NO, l won't say anything more now
Ii would spoil the sport. So lots rejoir
the party and get ready for the dash.
We'll, that was all there was to do,
: ana the chaStened but not altogether
hopeless young fellow directed their
animals to the spot where the sergeant
of the course was gathering the dogs.
III was fine sight to witness that
morning. There were the gayly robed
ladies, some in ambulances. some
mounted, but all full of the spirit OF
the occasion. There were the officers,
all we'll mounted and clad in the
closely fitting blouseS, paying assiduous
court each to his lady love. There
were the lean and eager hounds ready
for the first glimpse of cotton which
follows hard in the trail of the jack.
There were the grizzled troopers, with
the subdued fire OF the trained soldier
in their eyes, in anticipation of a fine
run and fully enjoying the gay scene.
"All right, sergeant" called Captain
Armstrong Slip leash and let the
cavaliers closely for a soldier after a
jack is hard to hold and harder still
to keep up with. One thing more-be
careful not to ride too far as those
clouds over there are portentous. Let
60"
/ With the word the dogs were loosed,
and they began a rapid cuTTying over
the prauies. while the party closed up
on them more slowly. Suddenly there
was yelp and off Went the bunch
/ after an eagerly bobbing jack, as the
J frightened rabbit flew down with the
/ wind in mad chase for his life. Off
went the mounted hunters, men and
women alike rushing to the front with
the speed of the wind Adams and
Miss Carnahan led, both riding superb
/ ~ and easily keeping well up. Close
behind them rode Morton and his
sweetheart. their mettled horses strid-
ing over the ground in long. easy
strides which told of blood speed and
endurance. 1t was a beautiful sight to
see two of the best riders in the
service accompanied by two beautiful
young women, sweeping over the
PRIZES after that hot chase On they
1lew, and were soon on even terms,
BABY good horses soon making I'D
the loss of a bad start. He and Miss
Baker were too good riders to blow
their horses in the first mile, and by
the time the first ten minutes had
passed had their mounts under a heavy
pull while their rivals rode easily, and
controlled thir horses without tighten
ing the reins. Over the hills and down
the rough grades they flew. while the
chase split UP into several punches as
rabbit after rabbit leaped I'D from the
ground and was followed by one or
more of the dogs. Conversation was
impossible in that mighty rush, but the
oh,
and inspired their companions with the
same rivalry. It was a race, and a gal
liant one under practically equal condi-
tons.
Suddenly Baby's stirrup leather
broke, and he lost a moment of time
he sat his horse firmly, however, and
looked up just in time to see Miss
Baker disappear over the brow of a
hill wei in advance of the others He
Spurred madly forward knowing the
broken nature of the ground, and soon
saw her still following after a brace of |
dogs some distance ahead of him.
None OF the others were in sight Baby |
settled down to his riding, and after a !
hard run came up with her. where she !
was calmly sitting on her animal be- |
side the dogs which had killed the rab- |
bit near her
I've Won" she called. gayly, as he
rode up to her. Where have you been.
young MANI"
Broke my stirrup leather and lost
the race was the reply as ne swung
down from his horse and cut off the
ears of the dead jack and presented |
.hem TO her. She tied them firmly to
her saddle and then said: Don't Won
think its getting. cold? Seems to me /
So and she drew her wraps about
her and glanced at the sky.
Here, Nettie, said Morton, as the
fn -frr
them. We must get out of this at
once 1 fear that storm is about to
burst and we are quite a distance from
the post. 1t will never do to get caught
out here"
Why, is there any danger?"
You heard what Armstrong said
Iluh you! Wen, If we get caught in
nave ridden farther than thought. and
must make all haste back to the most
We Will be late. anyway"
% saying, the young man remOunted
ana they turned to retrace their stems
The Kill had taken place in hollow
ana they were sheltered from the com,
ing storm there. But as thew reacbad
the open plain again the brewing hIiz-
zard struck them with the keen. pierre
ing blast which denoted a rand fan in
the temperature. The wind was rising
ana on Its wings were the tiny needles
oI ice which penetrate the thickest
clothing with ease. Morton cast an
uneasy glance behind him and urged
his sweetheart to renewed exart;or1
Ihelr horses were uneasy also and he
gan TO show signs of intracticabilitv
Inc girl features were frightened as
ne fearful wind struck her, and she
'ode nearer her friend for comfort and
SAFETY. Morton said never a word. huf
iuletly untylng rope which he had
lXed to his crupper, bound the two
animals together.
w ny do you do that?" asked Nettie.
10 prevent our becoming separated.
these nags might bolt in different di-
'ections if the storm grows much
worse as I greatly fear it will. You
ire cold. dear. Let me put nv coat
Lround you"
No was the answer, 81 can't LET
'ou do that. You viii freeze and then
vhat will become of me?"
Morton made no reply, but quietly
lnloosed his overcOat from the crllpper
-nd as quietly wrapped it around the
hivering form of the girl. There"
aid he, put that around you. Now run
our arms through the sleeves and
raw the cowl over your head and
nut your eyes in. It won't do anv
'ood to look, and you might lose those
'retty eyes"
AS yet the wind bore only a few
catterlng flakes of snow, but it was
lslhg, ana the density of the fall was
Increasing with every puff Fortunate
II was blowing in the direction of