Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1904-03-18
FOR LOVE AND LIFE
~~~~o~~N

NNn HUN Snail IL De howard
w Merton had asked that morn
Ing as he helped Carol Grey
into the saddle, the wood road up the
valleyf''
Neither" she answered with decis-
ion. I'VE will 20 on the cliff path"
II was to be their last ride together
before Carol left for Europe, and the
last chance he would have to be alone
with her, and to ask again certa In
question.
Now they had come out on the cliffs,
with the lazy waves breaking against
the rocks 100 feet below them. AS far
as the eye could see the ocean stretch
ed sparkling and dancing In the sun.
The road was mere path skirting
the edge OF the cliffs, quilted and worn
by Storm, and Merton was right In call
Ing II dangerous.
Isn't 1t glorious!" the girl exclaim-
ed, but Merton did not heed the view
Il wish you'd answer my question, .
he said.
iGuhC uOu llut again,
Howard. Is 1t any use? Don't spoil
this last ride"
TITS just because 1t Is the last ride.
Spoil the ride! How about spelling
my life? Do you ever think of that
Can any man give you more of love, OF
dsvotionr'
Il do not know yet" she answered,
lightly. 20, dear! why will you con
unue. HowardY l know all you are
going to say. tell you that | like
you. Why isn't that sufficient"
''Beca use l happen to love you. VIII
you ever know what love is2'
Carol turned and gazed off at the
ocean. as II considering NO. she
replied, i've read of it. and heard of
II, but l can't understand, and never
shall, l suppose. We've been good
friends this summer. We've had a
jolly time together-until you fell in
love with me and spoilt 1t all"
Il couldn't help it; and I've thought
at times that there was some hope
fancied that you really cared. You
shall care!" he cried. you mustr'
The girl flushed and her mouth hard
ened a bit. II WON'T" she replied. 81
don't want TO care. II | loved you,
then good-by to freedom, good-by to
my own will. You would control me as
/ do this horse Of mine-or you would
seek to, and there would be continual
conflict"
But you needn't, and besides, II you
cared
III cared? ] suppose 1 wouldn't
mind then, but do ! carer
That's what / want TO know"
I'm AFRAID l don't-at least not
enough to give up my own will 10
yours, l want to continue as | am
Here l am, young free, with all the
great, wide world before me TO see
and you ask me to give 1t up
II don't ask you to give IT up. Go
abroad, see the world, take your pleas
urs; only leave me some hope"
Tns girl gave an impatient shake of
her head. II should feel as II were
4 tsthered animal II did" she said. ~
hate the thought of being mastered
And yet one Of us must control"
That's II. III we were married
would want to rule In everything and
Il you let me would hate you. All,
well, let's not talk of 1t any more. I'm
for a sallop."
Along here, Nonsense"
But I will. / want to-"
It's too dangerous"
~Ars you afraidf"
.yss, for you, and l won't let you
risk your life"
"You can't help It," Carol replied
I'm going to. Danger is the spice of
life" And as she spoke touched her
horse lightly and totted ahead. Mer-
ton quickened his pace.
"Dont. Carol" he cried, but she only
laughed. I'm tell you what" she
said, looking back at him. here's
proposition. l will race you TO Bald
knob, and II you catch me the prize
shall be-the promise you asked of me.
Ny freedom against yours. Who loves
me follows me"
She flung the words back at him. and
iefoce Merton could gather up his reins
she was speeding forward over the
rough bride path. her body bent for
ward over the horses neck.
For a moment Merton hesitated. the
next he dashed after her, all his
thoughts concentrated on the flying fig-
uer ahead. She turned once and smll-
ed mockingly back at him. Her scarf
streamed out. behind her, her Ia; was
OF, and her hair, unbound, whipped
her neck
.Jove, how she can ride" thought
Merton In admirat ton What coura ge.