The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1901-02-22
CHAPTER II.

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No more gullies thrust themselves
across the way, and she was within 20
feet of the wood She took another hur-
ried look at me, and seeing my rapid
gain alarm appeared on her face She
drew little toy pistol from the cloak
she wore and leveled it at me, or at
least that seemed to be her intention.
call it toy pistol, because l, full
grown soldier, would have felt deep
Shame Shame had 1 been caught with such a
weapon in my possession. She pulled
the trigger, and the bullet cut the un-
complaining air somewhere, but not in
my neighborhood. This bombardment
cost her at least 20 feet of gain, but she
thrust the terrible weapon back in her
cloak and galloped on with Old Put
laundering at her heels. Then she was
into the wood, and l was not far be-
hind, shouting to her to stop; that l
would surely overtake her and she was
merely wasting the breath of both our
horses and our own. Still she paid no
heed, guiding her horse between the
trees and through the bushes with con-
siderable skill
But, seeing the wood thicken pres
emily, l was tempted to laugh. 1t was
obvious now that the end of the race
had come and was the winner. The
wood became SO dense, the bushes clus-
tering in thickets and the vines inter-
lacing from tree to tree, that it formed
an impenetrable wall What had fear
ed would help her had been my best
ally
She stopped short and sat stifay on
her horse, her back turned to me. l
wondered if she would draw out that
amazing pistol again and threaten me
with it, but she made no such attempt,
evidently having arrived at wisdom at
last. She dropped the stump of her
switch on the ground and kept the back
of her head toward me. Some beams of
sunshine came through the tall trees
and cleaned across the long curls of
tawny gold. tingeing them for the mo-
ment as if with fire.
rode up by her side, and then, as she
seemed to reprove me, | asked Old Put
to take me around in front of her
There l could see her face. 1t was pale,
sad and reproachful. and tear ran
down either cheek. For the moment ]
felt little pity for her despite her per-
verse nature and all the trouble she had
given me.
81 am sorry have to do this, " said
"Sorry for what?" she asked.
l saw that | had made a mistake.
One should always be polite to wom-
an, but never apologize.
''That had to overtake you," said.
Yours is the better horse, +" she said,
wiping away the tears with an angry
little brush Of the hand. II like to ride,
and always enjoy good race That
was the reason challenged you to it,
though did not know you had such a
good horse.
This was new view of the case, but
had thought, or, rather, a reflection
''It was good race" said, "but
wasn't that false start?"
"How sop
Didn't you take an advantage?"
81 was entitled to it. lam a woman. Z"
$50 women expect to carry that rule
even into warfare?"
Certainly"
was glad that l had never been
forced TO wage war with a woman be-
fore and hoped never to meet the neces-
sity again. One likes to stick to the
rules in military matters. and then he
has some idea what to expect.
1.-THE horses are very tired" said
"They look like it, said She
The poor animals were painting, and
their coats were damp. took the reins
of her horse from her hand and held
them firmly in mine.
What are you going to do?" she
asked.
II think I'd better hold the reins Of
both, l said will you please dis
mount?"
l set her good example by jumping
down myself She could not say that
the prisoner was compelled to walk
while the captor rode stepped for
ward to assist her. but again she refused
my help and sprang to the ground unas-
sisted
Old Put gazed angrily at the girl who