Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-02-03


the trembling little woman before her
the story Charteris had had quar-
rel with Mexicans on the lower Pecos;
that in saving his own life he had shot
his assailant; that the dead man was
cousin to Jose, who. with his broth
ers were all left to right the wrong.
That they were to meet at Ortegas,
and were going to Farringden's ranch,
where Charters was alone; that the
settlement would be short. and'that--
oh, dear, oh!-they had already
started.
Without word Jack rushed, hat
less, for the corral. Her own little
broncho, Lorita. was soon girthed and
they were of over the mesa, the start
led horse fairly maddened as the heavy
end of the quirt struck her tender
TANKS with repeated blows. Her gen.
tie mistress seemed turned into de-
mon, as mile after mile they flew
not by the trail, but over the range,
where quicksands lurked, and prairie
dogs holes we're traps 10 the galloping
horses feet. On they went, the mare
goaded to frenzy by the shrill voice
and raining blows. The Farringden
ranch lights were in sight, and Jack,
her heart triphammer in her side,
gave a final shout to speed Lorita on.
but treacherous hole caught one OF
the horses slender legs, breaking It,
and throwing the little broncho in an
agony of pain to the ground, where
he, ~ laxy n
glance at her dearly loved horse, Jack
sprang to her feet and rushed like
coyote over the ground.
The altitude exhausted her feeble
lungs, and when she stumbled across
the doorway of Farringden's ranch
speech had almost left her. The cur
tain was up, and Charters sat by the
table, under a swinging lamp, writing.
With one swift movement she pulled
down the treacherous shade, threw
herself upon his breast and stretched
out her arms protecting around him,
as, listening to every wind-breath, she
gasped:
Come with me-there is no time 10
talk"
Seeing determined negation in his
face, she continued:
There is not a moment to lose.
Jose Gonzales and his brothers are be-
hind me. They are fierce with pulque
and revenge. Come, comet"
Never! Ill face the cowardly
Mexicans"
"Harcourt," "a deep wall of de-
spairing passion in her voice-"I love
you, dearest, with all the life God has
given me, and / beg of you, for the
sake of your hope and mine in Heaven
to listen to me-" Her shielding arms
were again around him, and fifty kisses
were pressed on his lips. "Harcourt,
sweetheart, do my will just this once
this once!" And he obeyed.
Through the rear door of the house
they went. With her hand locked in
his, they rushed toward the canon,
Jack guiding the rebellious English
man. At length she stopped. Il can
go no further" and pulling the red
kerchief from her neck she held it to
her lips.
What shall l do with you, Her
court? They will kill you'll"
He took the hand at her side. Twas
red with blood.
The galloping horses and excited
Spanish voices reached them as Jack
rushed into the clear light.
Jose Gonzales, is that your"
Isl, senorita."
The girl advanced to where the
three horsemen had refined and talked
earnestly in Spanish. The voices were
first high and fierce, then low and
pleading, finally soft and consenting,
as they slowly turned and rode away.
She walked back to Charters.
"Come!" she said. How differently
the voice from an hour before! She
Charters followed.
Jack" he called-"dear little jack"
you have saved my life and l am a
coward"
Don't speak to me-" she replied, BIT
terly. Saddle me horse. I'll wait
for it inside"
Two horses were soon tied at the
gate, and he entered the room where
Jack stood, not as she had so short
time before, painting, glowing, reck-
less, the embodiment of love and brav-
cry, but instead, pallid, sombrc-
eyed woman, whose strange quiet was
terror to the man before her.
They have given you your life,
she said, because 1 promised them
that in the early morning you would
go. l told them this; they believed
me; you must CO."
Eyes, will go; but you-you who
have risked your precious life-have
brought on this fearful thing" point
ing to the blood-stained hand. What
shall do for your"
II am past help" recklessly. God
is good; he has sent this-if not
enough, the stream in the canon will
be roaring torrent in May"
She started toward the gate, he
swiftly following.
Jack, Jack, let me go with you'll"
"No; but you can go across the
range" pointing southwark, "and
shoot Lorita-I couldn't do that" Gov
ering her eyes with her trembling fin.
gers.
Che mounted; he followed, and they
rode slowly toward the trail.
Jack" he whispered tenderly
why have you given me my life ant
turned it to bitterness like this?"
Che roda paorar opd Ibid bar ho N,