The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-07-14

ton! But your hat-and mighty pretty
it is, too, as you're fixed 1t up--is only
regular dunstable stock. which we could
put down at Pine Barren for four and
a half cents apiece net Yet. I suppose
you paid nearly Is cents for it at the
agency!
Oddly enough. this cool appraisement
of her costume did not incense the
young lady as it ought to have done
On the contrary, for some occult feminine
reason, it amused and interested her.
Are you in the habit of giving this
informa ton to ladies you meet in travel
ing?" she asked.
well, MOI! answered Boyle, "for
that's just where you have to keep your
eyes open. Most of 'em wouldn't like it,
and it's no use aggrevating a possible
customer. But you are not that kind"
Miss Cantire was silent. She knew
she was not of that kind, but she Gid
not require his Endorsement. She pushed
on for some moments alone, when sud
denly he halted. her. She turned impa-
tiently. He was carefully examining the
road on both sides.
I'VE have either lost our way" he
said, rejoining her, "or the coach has
turned off somewhere. These tracks are
not fresh, and as they are all going the
same way they were made by the up
coach last night. They're not our
tracks; I thought it strange we hadn't
sighted the coach by this time"
And, then" said Miss Cantire impa-
tiently.
1--WE must turn back until we find them
again.
The young lady frowned. why not
keep on until we get to the top?" she
said, pettishly. I'm sure shall she
stopped suddenly as she caught sight OF
his grave face and keen, observant eyes.
why can't we go on as we are?"
Because we are expected to come back
to the coach-and not to the summit
merely. These are the orders and you
know you are a soldiers daughter" He
laughed as he spoke, but there was GER
tain quiet elaboration in his manner that
impressed her When he added, after
pause, I'VE must go back and find where
the tracks turned off," she obeyed with
out word.
They walked for some time eagerly
searching for signs of the missing vehi-
Gle. A curious interest, and a new re-
lance in Boyle's judgment obliterated her
previous annoyance, and made her more
natural. She ran ahead of him with
youthful eagerness, examining the ground
following a false clew with great anima-
ton, and confessing her defeat with a
charming laugh And it was she who, af-
ter retracting their steps for ten minutes
found the diverging track with a girlish
cry of triumph. Boyle, who had followed
her movements quite as interestedly as
he noticed the deep indentations made by
the struggling horses. Miss Cantire de-
tected the change in his face; ten minutes
before she would never have observed it.
Il suppose we had better follow the new
track, she said inquiringly, as he seem
ed to hesitate.
Certainly he said quickly, as If COM
ing to a prompt decision. That is safest"
What do you think has happened? The
ground looks very much cut up she said,
in confidential tone, as new to her as
her previous observation of him.
"A horse has probably stumbled and
they've taken the old trail as less diff
fcult," said Boyle promptly. In his heart
he did not believe it, yet he knew that
If anything serious had threatened them
the coach wuld have waited in the road.
IT'S an easier trail for us, though 1 sup
pose it's little longer" he added pres
emily.
you take everything so good humor-
edly, Mr.. Boyle" she said after pause
ITS the way to do business Miss Can
tire, he said. "A man in my line has to
cultivate it."
She wished he hadn't said that. but
nevertheless, she returned a little arch
iy; But you haven't any business with
the stage company nor with me, al
though l admit l intend to get my Dun
stable hereafter from your firm at the
wholesale prices
Before he could reply the detona ton OF
two gunshots, softened by distance. float
ed down from the ridge above them
'There!' said Miss Cantire eagerly. DO
you hear that?"
His face was turned toward the distant
ridge, but really that she might not cues
ton his eyes. She continued with ami
nation: That's from the coach-to guide
us-dont you see?"
Yes" he returned with quick laugh.
'and it says hurry up-mighty quick
we're tired waitng-so we'd better push
on"
why don't you answer back with
your revolver?" she asked.
Haven't got one" he said.
Haven't got one?" she repeated IN
genuine surprise. 1 thought you gentle
men who are travelling always carried
one. Perhaps it's inconsistent with your
gospel of good humor"
That's just it, Miss cantire," he said
with a laugh; you've hit it."
why" she said hesita tingly, even
have a pistol-a very little one you
know. which carry in my reticule. Capt.
Richards gave 1t to me-" She opened
her reticule and showed a pretty ivory
handled pistol. The look or Joyful sur
prise which came into his face changed
quickly as she cooked 1t and lifted II into
the air. He seized her arm quickly.
mo. please, don't, you might want It
Il mean the report won't carry far
enough. It's very useful little thing,
for all that, but it's only effective at
close quarters" He kept the pistol in
his hand as they walked on. But Miss
Cantire noticed this, also his evident sat
isfaction when she had al first produced
1t, and his concern when she was about
to discharge 1t uselessly. She was a
clever girl, and frank one to those she
was inclined to trust. And she began
to trust this stranger.
lend OF PARTLY