The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1896-10-17

her.
"Joss tells me that you have met
with an accident" he said; II am
very sorry"
SITS only a sprained ankle, I
think" she replied, "but that is
bad enough" Then, forgetting every.
thing but the misery of the
past hour, she cried, ooh, dear,
oh dear! how am I ever to get away
from this place over that dreadful
trail? I can't walk-and-there's no
other way" In spite of her NERVE"
| the tears came.
Henry MaxoD, looking down at the
dainty little figure with it's tear.
stained face, longed to pick her up n
his arms, as he would have done little
child, and carry her home, but he only
said:
son yes. .here are other ways; VIC
might make little and carry you-
or-did you ever ride burro?"
"No, but { mean to ride one before
I go home"
SHOWS your chance then-that is,
If you are not too faint to sit in the
saddle. My ranch is just around the
hill, and J. Gun have an animal hero
inside of ten minutss--if you wish. "
"Oh, yes!" she exclaimed, eagerly,
II can ride very we'll, and / should
really enjoy burro ride-if it were
not for the PAIN she added, as a
twinge reminded her of the wounded
member.
''It is badly swollen" said Maxon,
looking alphabetically at the little
foot: eff could bring some arnica or
cold water -or-something-"
"Oh, no, she fastened to say, cit
will do very we'll until I get to the
hotel"
In very short time he reappeared
with light overcoat, which she fglad.
ly wrapped about her, for the air was
growing chill.
Soon Mexican came, leading the
comical little beast with its Topping
ears and wicked eyes. Then Miss
Neva found herself lifted into mans
saddle, and her lame foot carefully I'D.
justed; her rescuer took the bride,
and by means of much pulling and
coaxlns and an occasional punch from
the Mexican in the rear, the little
procession finally reached the hotel.
Several sympathetic nurses attend
ed to Miss Hildreth's sprained ankle,
while she rehearsed her adventure
with much glee, in spite of the pain.
She declared that it was quite as much
Of an adventure as q nineteenth cen.
fury maiden ought to expect, and that
the "Knight OF the Burro" was in
keeping with the age practical, you
know. Gan old time knight would
have borne me in his arms, which
would have been decidedly uncomfort-
able for both purties before We got
over that half mile OF rocky trail"
MIR. Maxon called next day, Of course,
to make inquiries, and was graciously,
if somewhat condescendingly, received
by Mrs. Hildreth; but he found occa-
sion to stop ct the little hotel almost
every day during the next week, and
he usually found Miss Hildredth on
the veranda. They had some merry
laughs over their adventure" and
some very pleasant chats Shut the
Hildredths were only tourists with
| ronnd trip tickets. and as soon as the
lame ankle permitted they went on
| their way.
Six months later, as Henry Maxon
was standing before ono of those mar.
velous exhibits from his own State at
the great fair, he saw Neva Hildreth
approaching him. Their eyes met,
and she recognized him with frank
smile and outstretched hand.
IL am glad to see you," she said ; II
have not forgotten my California ex.
perience. An introduction to her
sister, Mrs. Ward. followed. Mrs
Ward was quite absorbed by her own
escort, learned professor, and she
paid little heed to her sister,
who followed in her wake accom-
panied by Maxon. So it fell out
that when luncheon was proposed,
two hours later, Maxon was still one
of the party and was invited to join
them>-an invitation which he readily
accepted.
| The party left the grounds soon at.
terward; and it was not until Maxon
was in his own room for the night that
he remembered, with sudden dismay
that he had not asked Miss Hildreth'e
address nor her plans for the morrow
ne only knew that she was stopping
with friends and that she expected tc
remain in Chicago week longer.
The next day Maxon wandered aim
lossly about tho Art Gallery and the
Woman's Building, instead of making
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