Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1902-02-06

parently being led by the rider Of the
gray. As they appeared. she recog-
nized her brother-in-law's plow horse,
and the rider was. Of course. after the
very land she wanted. Her heart
sank.
IL suppose this Is your horse" The
voice was rich and musical. and rs the
stranger lifted his hat she noticed that
his face was strong and scholarly. II
met him down the road, and thought
that he had run away. All. you are
hurt" as she essayed to step forward.
Here, let me assist you" He sprang
from his horse, throwing the bride OF
the black over his arm as he did so.
"My gray will stand all right. am
afraid his owner thought was poor
horseman. and 10 gave me steed that
was safe. Easy. now; lean on me-"
He assisted her to the saddle, and
then examined the girths and bride 10
see that everything was secure"
DO you think you are able 70 60
alone?" he asked.
"0h, certainly. The bushes broke
my fall. Think that my ankle will be
all right by tomorrow"
"Well, then, will not try TO keep up
with you. My horse Is very deliberate
In his movements, and doubt II I
reach town before dark. Good-by."
As she rode on. Lelia's emotions were
curious mixture of exultation and
dismay. She could be first TO enter q
claim TO the land. but In doing so she
almost felt that she would be taking
an unfa.s advantage OF the man who
had come to her assistance. At times
she thought of stopping and waiting
for him TO come up, and OF explaining
everything, and offering him fair
race. Then she would think of her
mother, and OF her brother-in-law, and
OF the German who had said that he
would like her to have the land. OF
course she had better right to II than
this stranger; and of course II would
be the height Of folly for her TO throw
away any Of her advantage.
but she could not quite satisfy her.
self; and the thought Of the stran.
ger jogging along on the old plow
horse accompanied her into town
and into the land Office. and grew
stronger when she knew that the
homestead was securely In her pos
session
Early the next morning she started
on her return trip, and soon after
leaving town overlook the old gray
horse and his rider, moving slowly
back toward home.
81 am glad 20 see you looking &c
WELL" said Mr.. Wayne. Us she refined
In her horse In answer TO his saluta
tion. II hope your adventure Of yes
terday caused you no Inconvenience.
"Very little, thanks to you"
They rode on for some minutes II
silence, then Mr.. Wayne looked o.
her humorously.
"If you are not In hurry" h
said, 81 will do my best to make th'
old gray keep up"
81 have the day before me, an,
will Le glad to have company"
| Thank you" Then: "Did you en-
ter your claim all rlght2"
Leila flushed and looked at him In
ouirinpIy. He laughed frankly.
81 recognized your horse as on
had seen In Mr.. Gifford's stable, an,
put one thing and another togeth
er. But don't think harbor III
least III feeling toward the old gray,
he went on, quickly, patting the an
imal as he spoke, "he and are ge,
ting on famously together. And reall
and truly and honestly, Miss"
"Staunton."
THANK you-Miss Stauntor, M
n thousand times Obliged to you 70
obtaining that land. You see, IN
brother was wild about my gettin
a and his enthusinsm was SO conts
pious never paused to consider tn
consequences. Now, am a lawye
and 1 think see a good opportunit
down here for me TO practice my pr'
fession. But suppose I had burie
myself out on that homestead VIII.
IL would have been the extinguishin
OF both the profession and mysel