News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1901-07-31
CHAPTER VII.
A WOMAN IN TIE QUESTION.

ki59ssII when out of the semidarkness
EsssS in front of him doomed a fig
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 a hui
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.
care you in trouble?"
81 should say So" was the petulant
response. do you know a ranchman
in this region by the name of Craig
Thompson"
Eyes, sir; very well indeed"
'Is it his house that is near here?"
"No. He lives 80 miles away, but
my fathers house is about a mile dis
tant. VIII you go there with me? In
he morning l 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 counterpart"
"Your daughterw exclaimed Isle.
eyes, my daughter. l don't wonder
that you express surprise at finding
two strangers alone at night in such a
place as this and one of them 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.
could not prevail upon her to wait
until we could get a guide. She never
rode 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 a clear voice call
ing to them out of the darkness, and
presently Lisle saw approaching them
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 a woman frest.
from the hands Of her modiste.
Il 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 it 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 ask
what your name isT'
Isle raised his broad brimmed hat
from his head with courtesy that was
instructive while he replied:
II 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 a
woman has ever entered our house."
"If the night were darker, so that
could not see you, l should say that
you were woman yourself" retorted
Miss Thomas. rs your father wom-
an hater, Mr.. Maxwell"
81 believe So" replied Lisle calmly.
"Have you not another horse, Mr..
Thomas"
"No; l 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 hopelessly
lost ever since we started. 1t comes
of permitting a 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,
leaplng from his horse. "If your daugh-
ter will let me assist her to mount my
horse, will lead the way to my IA
Tiers house. 1t is not far"
WHAT Ride on that saddle? Sit
astride, like a man? guess not! I'll
walk" exclaimed the young lady in
dismay. How far is it?'
"More than mile"
"Well that won't hurt me. walk
farther than that in one afternoon's
shopping at home. But how are we
going to take all my things|
1--WE 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 horseW
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" interposed Mr.. Thomas. "The
trunks can stay where they are till
morning, and Erna can stay here OF
come with us, just as she pleases
Start along, Mr.. Maxwell, and wei
follow"
Lisie was accustomed to absolute
authority on the part of fathers, and he
obeyed.
"Come, then" he said, leaping lightly
into the saddle. "When we have riser
the next ridge, the house will be In
view. There is a light in the library
and we will be able to see 1t. / will
ride on, then, and prepare my father
for your coming.