North Park union., 1901-04-19
flow Mrtbur FOUND
RoI> Bp a 1aortb parh autbor.
VOlO. e g q g
[coNcLuDxD rRox LAST wrrk.l

[coNCLUDED FROM LAST WEEK.
1t was situated on . very pictur.
csque site. 1t contained two rooms.
Two steps leading from the front
door, and a few feet beyond, a rocky
formation led to q creek Of clear,
running water, with beautiful noun
tain trout darting here and there.
The creek seemed 70 murmur = song
Of which Amelia seemed never to tire.
They alighted and went into the
house, which bore every evidence of
being "bachelor quarters" In q few
days, however, by the help Of some
brightcolored curtains and other neat
arrangements, it seemed to both to be
a regular paradise.
Then Amelia, finding she had many
hours to spare, decided to "explore,"
as she termed it. Arthur had mount
ed the horse to see il he was gentle,
and finding him to be all his owner
had claimed him, told Amelia she
might mount him at once. Just as
she appeared, ready, at the door, a
covered wagon hove in sight. "Ah,
visitors. l hope there is u girl among
them" She procured the field-glass
and distinguished middle-aged gen
tleman, young man, and girl rid
ing beside the wagon on high-headed
black horse. She told Arthur to put
"Csp," as she named her horse, IN the
barn, and she would surely get them
to stay awhile there. When they
drove before the house she ran to
meet the girl, who informed her that
they were going to cross the range,
and had been stopping at VOLTS
ranch, ten miles below. She seemed
to become quite well acquainted with
Amelia at once. They were quite
different in appearance. Sparta Hast
ings, for such was her name, had
raven.black hair, dark lustrous eyes,
and rosy cheeks. She was sixteen
years of age, aud tall and slender,
while Amelia had light brown hair,
blue eyes, and fair complexion. They
decided to stay for dinner, and by
great deal OF coaxing, Sparta induced
her father to allow hcr to stay with
| Amelia till lie came back. The two
proceeded on their Journey. Spnrtas
father was an army officer, and Spar
ta's mother being dead, she had al-
ways gone with him to his stations,
She had been all over the West, and
had had many adventures, and WAS
30 full Of life that she completely
charmed Amelia.
They rode together. explored every
nook and corner, caught trout, and
Sparta was a good sho9 killed lot
OF small game.
One night about sunset, when the
trout would not bite, Sparta suggest
ed that they go to the lake about a
mile beyond, for walk, it was such
a beautiful warm evening. They
started, Arthur having gone, with
Prince, to the traps. When they
reached the lake they sat down to
wait till the moon rose.
Scarcely had they seated themselves
comfortably when they heard crack
ling in the jack pines and brush, and
almos instantly about twenty range
cattle came in sight. Tho leaders
discovered them and began believing
and started for them. Amelia al
most tainted, but Sparta was equal to
the occasion. She. took Amelia's
hand, and the two just "sprinted," Us
Sparta afterwards termed it, for the
nearest tree. She helped Amelia TO
climb it, and she climbed into the ono
nearest her with tho agility of a
squirrel, while che nearest animal
touched her clothing, he was 50 close.
Amelia sat In quivering heap afraid
to move. Sparta seemed to think it
a great Joke. She knew Arthur
passed close by, and he could take
them on the horses. ,,4
The csttle pawod and stamped be-
low. They waited some time. The
moon rose, and TREY could see the
cabin distinctly. Sparta tried to
quiet Amelia's fears. She laughed,
and told Of other adventures she had
had; and said she was sure she could
stand tn ntay in that tree as long -