The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1902-12-25

tragedy had been enacted. The one
question now in Milly's mind was
whether there was yet time to help
her lover. He might be dying on the
trail, or-as bad, or worse-a helpless
prisoner in the hands OF the bush
rangers.
Her mind was made up instantly.
Without u thought of the danger she
faced, or stopping to answer her faith
ers call to her to wait. she sprang on
the back of the horse, which knew her
well, and turned his head in the direc.
ton of the bush, where she knew her
lover was either dead or in the hands
of the rangers.
What she meant to do she hardly
knew. Fear she felt none, and the
wild ride and the thought of what she
might meet stirred her blood to mad
ness. A few minutes of fierce gallop-
ing and she realized that in her haste
she might pass the object of her
fallen from his horse, though she felt
sure the faithful beast would not
have deserted his master, and that her
lover must be prisoner.
Checking the speed of her horse, she
rode along for some time, scanning
with sharp eyes every spot on the
trail, and peering anxiously on each
her gaze, but ready for anything that
would end the suspense. Several
times dark patches of rank grass took
the shape of the object of her search,
and after eacn slight pause she rode
on with her heart alternately lighter
and heavier-lighter because the sus-
picious looking object was not the
body of her Frank, and heavier as she
realized that each step into the bush
carried her into danger from the out
laws who had their hiding places there
and it was in one of these she we'll
knew she would find her lover, If, in
deed, she was fortunats enough to find
him at all.
Riding at an easy canter, Milly was
well into the bush" when the CLEAN
of light from a camp fire shone be-
fore her. Fitfully it showed. as If in
a gully or among rocks, and on the
soft grass she drew closer without dis
covery. Suddenly she was sharply
challenged, and a startled sentry fired
point blank at her, but the surprise
spoiled his aim.
At once Milly urged her horse over
the edge of small gully, and with the
spring landed in safety among group
of men lying at ease around a camp
fire.
Though surprised, the bandits were
on their feet with ready guns in an in
slant. Seeing only the unarmed girl
on the painting horse, the leader sharp
ly called to his followers not to shoot,
and stood gazing at the silent figure.
Milly's eye went rapidly round the
camp-she had no thought of danger
to herself-and she saw with joy, be-
yond the glare of the fire. a dark bun
die which her heart told her was what
she had come to find
Uncertain what the advent of their
visitor might mean, the men stool
silent for a few minutes; then the
leader said grufily:
You're a long way off the trail,
amt ye. miss? Did you come to spend
Christmas with us2"
The gang good-naturedly echoed the
guffaw their captain gave at this sally
Of wit. but the girl now realized the
danger she was in, and her brain
worked rapidly. Rough. and often
cruel. were these rangers of the bush
but deeds of generosity were not I'M
known to them. She would make an
appeal.
In voice the steadiness of which
astonished her, she answered: mo,
can't stop. came for a Christmas
present"
Milly saw in an instant by the faces
Of her audience that she had made a
good impression. and went on;
There's what came for" pointing
to the bound figure. "he could not
come to me. so | came to him."
"Oh, him!" said the leader. step
ping close to her and leading her
horse to the light. well, we don't
want the fool. He wouldn't have
been hurt if he had stopped when he
was told to. But If he was coming to
you"
He broke off awkwardly. probably
nearer to paying a compliment than
he had been for many a year but the
girls heart leaped at the word hurt"
and in an instant she was off the
saddle. and bending over the wound
ed man in an agony of fear.
The band drew closer, and one of
them said: HE amt hurt bad May
be his arms broke. Let's bring him
to the fire"
AS they lifted him. and Milly bent
r. see his face she caught her breath
in fright. for he was unconscious, and
a wild fear that he might be dead
7giot through her,
TIE movement, however. must have
caused him pain, for he groaned. aud
Milly tenderly passed her handker,
chief over his lips and face
You can have him, now you've
come for him, though he'd make a
likely ranger" spoke up the leader,
though | don't see how you're going
10 carry him. He can't ride a horse.
that's sure"
Still somewhat surprised at her
friendly reception. and wondering
dimly if the men were cruelty joking
With her, Milly determined to play
her part to the end, as she had begun.