The Tucson citizen., 1902-05-24
Continued from Yesterday
CHAPTER VII.
A WOMAN IN THE QUESTION

instant the stranger accosted him by
altering shout which might. In that
clear. still air. have been heard at the
ranch.
can YOU tell me IL there is~a hu-
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.
"Are you In trouble?'
Il should say so." was the petulant
response. do you know ranchman
In this region by the name Of Craig
Ihompson"
YES. sir; very well indeed"
is il his house that In near here?'
NO. He lives 30 miles away. but
nv fathers house Ia about a mile dis
tant VIII You go there with me? In
lie morning VIII guide you to Thomp-
sons ranch
Thank you. young man. accept
tonr hospitality most gladly. My
daughter viii he especially pleased. for
ste Is frightened to death at the pros.
rect OF spending the night on the
llaius, with nothing but the stars for
II eounterpane."
Your daughter" exclaimed Lsie.
Yes, my daughter. don't wonder
that you express surprise at finding
two strangers alone at night In such
llace as this and one OF them woman.
II is all because OF her obstInacy. It's
woman's mission to get men into trou-
llc She would come out here today.
could not prevail upon her to wait
until we could get guide. She never
rode horse in her life. so found and
bought an old wagon, which has done
uothing but break down ever since we
started. and now 1t 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 clear voice call
Ing TO them out OF the darkness. and
presently Lisle saw approaching them
figure such az he had never seen be-
fore. not even In his most vivid hours
Of lmagining--the slender. wiilowy.
perfectly clad figure OF a woman fresh
from the hands Of her modiste
Il could not remain alone In that
horrid place. with all sorts of eyes star
Ing al me out of the darkness" she
said as she approached. who have
You got with you. papa? hope 1t 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
q. Thomas of Kansas City. May ask
What your name is?''
LIsle raised his broad brimmed hal
from his head with courtesy that was
distinctive while he replied:
Il am the son of Richard Maxwell
who owns this ranch. ! am quite sure
that INV father will welcome you, al
nough II will be the first time that
woman has ever entered our house
If the night were darker. 80 that
could not see you, should say tina
you were woman YOURSELF retorte'
Miss Thomas. as your father won
an batter, Mr.. MAXWELL
Il believe So" replied Llsle calmly
Have you not another horse. Mr.
Thymasi" .sss g
"NoSf stripped the harness on tn
only one we had to search for assis'
ance. We left Belmont this morninl
with the only conveyance that could D
procured. and we've been hopelessl
lost ever since we started, i come
Of permitting a woman to run thihs
for ypt1 ~
r'TYou were nearer Thompson ranc
when you started than you are no"
You have come past IT," said i"si'
ltaping from bis horse. If your daugt
ter will let me assist her to mount III
horse, l will lead the way TO my ID
tiers house. 1t Is not FAR :.
What, Ride OH that saddle .,
a>trjde like a man? guess not. l.
walk" exclaimed the young iauy
l.smay. How far is it!
More than mile
Well. that won't hurt me. wal
farther than that In one al'ernoo"
shopping at home. But now are
gong to take all my things
we will leave them where the! Il,
tot he disturbed. II you are ready
VIII start on"
'Rut | can't go II step without sou
or my things Can't you put my s''ia
t>t trunk on your horseT :,
Il am afraid not. We can wait "h'
YOU open it, however, aud take o
whatever you think Is necessary.
We will not do anything OF
lind" interposed Mr.. Thomas.
trunks can stay where they are
morning. and Erna can stay mere
come with us, Just as she peas
Start along, Mr.. Maxwell. and w
follow"
Lisle was accustomed to absol'
authority on the part Of fathers, ana
ttcycd
Come. then" he said. leaping ilgh
Lto the saddle. "When we nave III
lie next ridge. the house VIII DC