Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-09-07
A WOMAN IN THE QUESTION.

ure. also on horseback. At the same
instant the stranger accosted him by
uttering a shout which might. in that
clear. still air. have been heard at the
ranch.
"Can you tell me If there is hu-
man habitation near here?" he asked
as soon as Lisle. pistol In hand-for
strangers were not always friendly in
that wild countrywide up to him.
There Is one. SIR" replied Lisle.
"Are you In trouble?"
81 should say So" was the petulant
response. do you know ranchman
In this region by the name Of Craig
Thompson?"
"Yes.sir: very we'll indeed"
"Is 1t his house that Is near here?"
mo. He lives 30 miles away. but
my fathers house Is about mile dis
tant. Will you 70 there with me? In
he morning will guide you to Thomp-
sons ranch"
'Thank you, young man. l accept
your hospitality most gladly. My
daughter will be especially pleased. for
she Is frightened to death at the pros
pect of spending the night on the
plains. with nothing but the stars for
a counterpane."
"Your daughter" exclaimed Lisle.
Eyes. my daughter. don't wonder
that you express surprise at finding
two strangers alone at night in such a
place as this and one Of them a woman.
1t Is all because Of her obstinacy. It's
woman's mission to get men into trou-
BILE. She would come out here today.
l could not prevail upon her to wait
until we could get guide. She never
rode q horse In her life, so found and
bought an old wagon. which has done
nothing but break down ever since we
started. and now It has gone beyond
repair"
How much more Of an explanation
he would have volunteered Is not
known. for at that instant they were
both interrupted by q clear voice call
ing to them out Of the darkness. and
presently Lisle saw approaching them
q figure such as he had never seen be-
fore. not even In his most vivid hours
of imagining-the slender. willowy.
perfectly clad figure Of Ii woman fresh
from the hands Of her modiSte.
81 could not remain alone in that
horrid place. with all sorts Of eyes star
ing at me out Of the darkness" she
said as she approached. who have
you got with you. papa? hope 1t Is
not one Of those dirty Indians"
"A gentleman. Erna. who has offered
to assist us. This Is my daughter. sir
Miss Ernestina Thomas. am Thomas
o. Thomas of Kansas City. May l ask
what your name is?'
Lisle raised his broad brimmed hat
from bis head with courtesy that was
instructive while he replied:
81 am the son of Richard Maxwell.
who owns this ranch. | am quite sure
that my father will welcome you, al
though it will be the first time that
woman has ever entered our house."
"If the night were darker, so that l
could not see you. | should say that
you were woman yourself" retorted
Miss Thomas "ls your father wom-
an hater. Mr.. Maxwell"
81 believe So" replied Lisle calmly.
"Have you not another horse, Mr..
Thomas"
"No: stripped the harness off the
only one we had to search for assist
ance. We left Belmont this morning
with the only conveyance that could be
procured. and we've been bopelessly
lost ever since we started. 1t comes
of permitting woman to run things
for you"
"You were nearer Thompson's ranch
when you started than you are now.
You have come past It," said Lisle,
leaping from his horse. IF your daugh-
ter williet me assist her to mount my
horse, l will lead the way to my IA
ther's house. 1t Is not far
What! Ride OH that saddle? SIT
astridc. like Il man? | guess not! I'll
walk" exclaimed the young lady In
dismay. How far is it:''
"AIOre than mile"
wei, tlul WUll l uUll ltit. VAIN
farther than that in one afternoons
shopping at home But how are we
going to take all my things?'
I'VE will leave them where they are
till morning." said Lisle. They will
not be disturbed. If you are ready. we
will start on"
"But can't go step without some
of my things. Can't you put my small
est trunk on your horse?"
81 am afraid not We can wait while
you open it. however. and take out
whatever you think is necessary"
eve will not do anything Of the
kind" lnterposed Mr.. Thomas. "The
trunks can stay where they are till
morning and Erna can stay here or
come with US. just as she plcases.
Start along. Mr.. Maxwell. AMI We'll
follow"
Lisle was accustomed to absolute
authority on the part Of fathers. and he
obeyed.
"Come. then" he said. lcaping lightly
into the saddle. when we have risen
the next ridge. the house will be in
view There is light In the library.
and we will be able to see II. | will
ride OH. then. and prepare my father
for your coming.
Miss Thomas uttered vehement pro-
tests against abandoning her things"
but her father was obdurate. and she
had no choice but to follow them.