Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-11-04

would better have it," he returned, in Il
peremptory tone; and, as though COM
pretending that argument would be
wasted, she nleekly submitted to the
trea tment-
Even with the pain of the injured
wrist, with all the roaring of the storm.
the rain now developing to a torrent,
even with such diverse unpleasantness
to fill her mind, the girl had not failed
to perceive that this was no clod-pated
ranchman who had come to her relief.
He was clothed in the brown duck of
the miners common wear, his panta-
looms tucked into the tops of pair Of
high, heavy boots laced across the
instep, the soft felt hat pulled low over
his eyes more than anything else be-
traying his occupation in its splashes
of candle-grease. But Dorothy knew
her Rocky mountain world too we'll to
think of gauging the mans position
by the chance appearance of his clothes.
That he was engaged in mining was
evident; but he might be tyro from
the east, out of luck and toiling for
daily wage; or he might be the owner
of the richest property in all the dis
trict. Whatever his present standing,
there was that in the modulations of
his voice, in his niceties of speech, which
told of sometime environment very re-
mote from the rude life of the mining
camp. That he was a gentleman APP
peared to her beyond question, while
her woman's instinct had been quick to
decide that he was one to be trusted;
moreover, there was something about
him that struck her as oddly familiar.
" as he one of the boarders tat the ho-
tel, and had she seen him there? There
seemed an assured friendliness about
his manner which implied some meas
ure of previous acquaintance. you
will show me the way?" she anxiously
exclaimed, flushing a little to be de-
tected in intent study of his looks as
he glanced up.
Certainly. But you will have to let
me lift you on your horse, Miss Mere
dith; with your wrist you must not
try TO help yourself at ALL" he said,
in a matter-of-fact way. STOPPING lit
tie to be heard above the noise of the
storm; and with the words his strong
hands closed about her waist, raising
her to the saddle as though she had
been child.
"You need not have done that she
protested, rather sharply. 81 could
have mounted myself perfectly well.''
81 beg pardon, but am sure it was
better you should not try" he imper-
turbably returned, picking up her whip
from the ground. 1T is such a mercy
that it is not the left wrist; you can
hold the rein all right" he went on,
with gratulatory smile. "And there's
another silver lining to the cloud.
There's an old shack of a shaft-house
up the draw there, where we can get
under cover until the worst of this is
O, err"
But my father is waiting for me at
the Grubstake mine," gasped the girl,
ducking her head before q furious on
slaught of wind and rain. 81 must get
there as soon as possible"
But it is not possible to get there
in such q deluge as this" he protested.
He had mounted his own horse, and
| now rode up beside her. "Your father
| could not expect you"
ooh, but he would. He would be
frightened. L must get there"
See here, Miss Meredith he impa-
tiently exclaimed, with an air of driv-
ing an unwilling bargain, you cannot
go on in a storm like this. It will be
raining cats and dogs within three
minutes. If you will only let me get
you under shelter, will ride on my
self to the Grubstal1e. if you say so, and
let your father know that you are all
right All, you must!" he insisted, as
fiercer gust swept down the rough de-
file, causing the girl TO crouch low over
the horses neck.