Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-30

l. X ranch, which throughout ten success
sive annual carnivals had not failed to
carry off honors
So strong was our confidence in Louis
ability that we expected great things of
him in the riding and roping contests. Nor
wac our confidence misplaced, for, with
more than a dozen Of the quickest men in
| the southwest pitted against him, he came
| out victor in both contests.
From her seat among the spectators Phyl
Graham drank in the excitement with
| applause that followed WINDOWS victories.
| / saw her smile down at him and knew that
his head was whirling.
A few moments later he ran the stampede
| or thronglng admirers and came hurrying
/ to my side.
''Here!' he said, taking hold of my arm.
Let's out of this while we CAM
He led the way to our horses, and we
were soon riding away from the fair
grounds and headed toward town.
| That mob makes me tired" he declared.
Guess we'd better drop by Hart & Majors
for that saddle before they close in on US
| again"
| The prize In the riding contest, an expen-
sive saddle. which had been on display for
| weeks in advance of the occasion, was an
| elaborate affair, richly embossed and per-
| feet specimen of the harnessmaker' art
The junior member of the firm brought
out the prize and turned it over to Lou.
! I thought you'd get it, old man." he
said, and took pains to select the finest in
| the shop"
! 1t was but the work Of a moment to re-
| move the old saddle and fling the new one
| upon the back of Louis FESTIVE cow pony.
| but In that moment something took place
that colored the after life OF at least two
| people.
Lou was shortening the different STRAINS
or the saddle, when from somewhere UP the
street hoarse shout of warning arose
| The crowd, returning from the fair grounds
| scattered to right and left. Alarmed own
| ere rushed to their teams, which began to
| snow fright at the unusual
| This cleared the street partially and rave
US chance TO learn the cause Of the up
| roar. One glance was enough
] Down the street at terrific speed came a
| runaway horse, dragging behind him ca
| reening buggy. which threatened to over
| turn at every leap.
| In the buggy sat woman, whose iden.
| tlty was obscured by. the thick cloud of
| dust that rose. The reins had fallen to the
ground, ana the horse, freed from the re-
straining bit, was plunging madly forward
| more imminent.
AS the runaway passed 1 caught a low.
| strange cry from Lou
Phyl!' he cried. Great Cod"
| Even his lips went white I recognized
| the girl at the same moment. but went
Dart FOR the space of dozen seconds By
that time life came back to Window with
| a surge.
One jerk and the last buckle was made
secure; leap and he was in the saddle: a
| dig or the spurs and he was off after the
| runaway at a pace have never seen equal
ed before or since. The crowd watched
| breathlessly.
At the best gait my plump little bav
| could command 1 was off after them. but
was left hopelessly in the rear I have
seen many swift horses in my day but
| one might as well have pursued unleashed
| lightning as Louis pony that day.
Just on the outskirts of the town the
| hunger of many freshets had eaten a huge
| ravine, with steep, precipitous banks To-
ward this ravine, l saw with horror. the
| foremost horse was headed / shuddered
to think what the result might be-
If Lou could only reach the buggy in
| time his steady arm and ready brain might
avert the danger. Already he was gafning
on the hard-run horse ahead but could his
| brave little COW pony keep up the mad
gait for the few needed moments? With
so much at. stake might not LOUIS Quick
hand and keen eye fail him? Even as
questioned. Window was at work. Before
could fathom the depth of his daring he
leaned over on his horses neck and un-
coiled the long rawhide that swung from
the pommel of his saddle.
Then, in flash. / comprehended his des-
perate plan. If II failed his own life would
pay the forfeit. for few more strides
would bring pursued and pursuer to the
brink of the ravine.
Lou whirled the lariat about his head in
the old, peculiar way which had noted on
a thousand former occasions and l knew
that his muscles were tightening for the
most critica! ordeal OF hts life.