Iron County register., 1898-02-24
TIE OLD SILVER TRAIL.
BY MARY {. SHCKNEY.
Tcopyrisht 1896. by }. B. LIppineOtt Col
CHAPTER u.-CoNT1NUED.


The stranger turned quickly, wrench
ing aside one end of the shattered pole.
mo; he is all right" he reassuringly
declared, when hasty examination
had revealed but a slight abrasion on
the adventured leg. But you, Miss
Meredith, are you really unharmed? 1t
was such nasty fall-on this gridiron
of bridge"
"But 1 did not fall; jumped" she
quickly retorted, with the sensitive
ness of skilled rider to such charge of
clumsiness. She gasped little for
breath, turning about to place her back
to the storm as she added: 81 was look
ing for the trail which leads across by
the Mascot mine. Perhaps you can tell
Inc where it turns off,
"Oh, certainly. I came that way my
self only few minutes ago. 1t is about
a mile back"
"a mile back! missed it, then," she
disappointedly exclaimed, her teeth
closing suddenly on her under lip as
she glanced down at her left wrist, her
cheeks turning rather white. 81 have
so much farther to 60"
'But you are hurt, Miss Meredith;
am sure you are,' he solicitously re-
turned. what can do for you? Is
it your wrist?"
''I believe did twist it a little" she
murmured, obviously regarding the
long wrinkled glove which covered the
now intense aching. "It is nothing, of
course, but"
"You are fainti" he cried, casting
loose the bridle-rein he had been hold
ing, and making as though he thought
he should offer the support of his arm
"Can you walk to this log beyond the
bridge?-Yes; that is right; sit there
while I get you some water" He
dashed down to the waters edge, where
some campers had left q litter with it
dripping full. "If you could drink
from this he urged, deprecatingly.
at is clean. in spite of the rust; and
I'M afraid it is the best 1 can do"
''It does beautifully. thanks" she
murmured, gratefully, as she took the
rude cup; adding, when she had drunk
Of it, 81 never tainted in my life; there
was not the slightest danger of that;
but felt a little queered. The water
has helped me-
"But it has leaked all over your dress"
he cried, dismayedly, as though charg-
ing himself with the damage.
But the heavens have already leaked
so much. little more will hardly mat
ter she returned, family smiling, as
she stood up again. and, by all the
signs. am likely to be wetter. must
be making for shelter as fast as cam"
But will you not let me see the
wrist?" he anxiously interposed. "You
are sure that it is not broEen?"
"Oh, it couldn't be-" she protested, al
though she looked frightened at the
suggestion.
"We'l hope not, surely; but won't
you take off the glove, please?"
She obediently drew off the sodden
kid, holding out the injured member
for his inspection. He took the small
hand by it's finger-tips, swaying it to
and fro with a sort of reverent hesi-
fancy. anXiously glancing at her face
to see if he were giving pain. ''No; it
is only sprain, and not very bad
one, hope" he decided, in tone of re-
lief. But of course it is paining you.
You must let me bind it up with water.
It will be better than nothing" And
he hurried away to dip his handker-
chief in the stream. folding it to a
compress as he came back.
''But am sure that is not necessary"
Dorothy protested, drawing back.
Not strictly necessary, perhaps; but
IL may somewhat relieve the pain. You
would better have it." he returned, in Il
Peremptory tone; and, as though COM
pretending that argument would be
wasted. she meekly submitted TO the
treatment.
Even with the pain of the injured
writ, with all the roaring of the storm,