The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-05-01
CHAPTER Il
KEEPING a PRISONER.

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 a little toy pistol from the cloak
she wore and leveled it at me, or at
least that seemed to be her intention. l
call it a toy pistol, because /, a full
grown soldier, would have felt deep
shame had been caught with such
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 was not far be-
hind, shouting to her to stop; that
would surely overtake her and she was
merely wasting the breath Of both our
horses and our OWL 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, was tempted to laugh It was
obvious now that the end Of the race
had come and l 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 stifiy 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.
I 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 could see her face 1t was pale,
sad and reproachful, and a 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.
~ am sorry have to do this, % said
Sorry for what?" she asked.
l saw that had made mistake
One should always be polite to wom-
an, but never apologetic
THAT l had to overtake you, said
Yours is the better horse. she said,
wiplng away the tears with an angry
little brush Of the hand Il like to ride,
and always ENJOY a good race Thas
was the reason challenged you to u.
though dld not know you lad such a
good horse
TINS was new view Of the case. cut
had u ,!lcpSht or rather. {, reflection
Ii was Il good race, said. but
WASH that i false start?
How SO:
''Dlt.n Won take an advantege?'
81 was entitled tolt lam woman.
so women expect to carry that rule
even into warfare?
Certainly
was glad that had never been
forced to wage war with 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 1t. . said she.
The poor animals were painting, and
their coats were damp l 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. said Will you please dis
mount?
set her good example by jumping
down myself She could not say that
GQS pTlSOtlSI was CNAu pC4lCN " w es4n
while the capror rode stepped for
ward to assist her. but again she refused
my help and sprang to the ground unas
sisted
Old Put gazed angrlly at the girl who
had struck him Then be snorted with
triumph and looked contemptuoasly at
the horse at his side The latter seemed
to be ashamed OF himself and his atti
tude was apologetlc, but he had done
his best and therefore should not have
been blamed
Come. 1 said. I'VE Will get out OF
this wood and walk back across the
fields Walk by my side will watch
YOU, as do not want any more treach
cry
1 spoke With great sternness, as the
mite of pity felt when saw the tears
had gone She obeyed with surprising
meekness and walked beside me. while /
led the horses holding both brides III
one hand was glad that had been
so sharp with her, and | saw now 1t
was the proper way with rebelllous
u-o,,eo A man has ONLY to show to