The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-05-16
WON ON THE FIELD.

Where are you going. sylvia?" said Mrs. Martin. as her daughter. accom- panied by MT. Amos Darling, a tall elegantly dressed. young man, strolled out of the gate of the ranch house on to the open prairie.
 s"we are going for little walk" was the reply.
 T want to speak to you before you go." said Mrs. Martin.
 Sylvia returned a few steps to meet her mother.
 Sylvia said the elder lady, T see Tom Ruggles coming across the prai- rie. Don't leave the house.
 T saw him, too,' replied sylvia. That's why I am going"
 Sylvia"
 "Yes. am tired of eseing him hang around" and she rejoined her
 Mrs. Martin called after them. Don't 90 too far, you know the cattle
 Very wei" answered Sylvia with out turning her head.
 Mrs. Martin stood at the gate and watched their retreating forms till they passed over the swell of the prairie.
 Good evening. Mrs. Martin said hearty voice, and she turned to greet q handsome young man dressed in COW boy costume.
 "why. how do you do. Tom. Won't you come in?"
 "Is Sylvia at home?" he asked as he swung from his saddle to the ground.
 she and Mir. Darling went for g walk 2 while ago. They will be back soon. hope"
 Which way did they go?" asked he anxiously
 ''Over the swell toward the slough;'' she answered. But what is the mat ter" for Tom sprang into the saddle and his horse was already flying across the prairie.
 Sylvia was the daughter of Major Martin, proprietor of the great Martin ranch, and Tom was the son of Colonel Ruggles Of the great Ruggles ranch few miles distant. They had been friends from childhood and Sylvia thought there was no one like Tom until Mr. Darling appeared.
 Mir. Anos Darling was from the East and he was locking for a location. hs said. He thought he would like ts engage in the cattle business. Ht brought letters to Major Martin from business friends in the East and wal welcome at the ranch where he had made himself at home for severa weeks.
 Toms flannel shirt. broad hat, and high healed boots made & poor show ing beside the neatly fitting attire O MT. Darling. who in addition to being we'll dressed. could quote poetry ant tell stories of European travel. So, 1T the language of the prairie. Tom ''go the sack when he called at the Mar tin ranch. and Darling was the "whol, thing" with Sylvia. Even if Tom was miserable, Sylvia was quite happy, and that Septembel afternoon as she. and Mir. Darling strolled across the prairie, she fel | happier than usual. for her escort hat shown a decided inclination to ask { certain question.
 What Is that noise?" said MT. Oar ling. breaking upon a recitation il | which he was indulging.
 They stopped.
 "The cattle" gasped Sylvia. Look And coming toward them, mile O more away. was, @ line of long horn, stretching in each direction almost u the horizon. e MT. Darling's knees shook. He hac heard the stories of the viciousness O Texas cattle in a stampede and he real. ized their danger. He looked around Not a tree or fence in sight.
 We are lost" said Sylvia. we can not get away"
 Let's run," quavered Mr. Darling.
 They would soon overtake us, sobbed Sylvia. We cannot escape" A shout ringing across the prairie | from behind them caused them to turn | A horse urged to its greatest speeI was coming down the swell towar' them. "Tom," screamed Sylvia Come" and she ran to meet him, fol | Friday, THE ELK TOOTH CLUE