Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-06

heart told her It was best.
After two hours that seemed intermin-
able out Of the starlit stiffness came the
low. quavering cry of coyote. Once,
twice, 1t was repeated. She opened the
door cautiously. stepped noiselessly down
the hall, descended the steps. and, avoiding
the graveled walk, hurried toward the Es-
peranza stables.
A low "ssst!' from the shadows greeted
her.
"Ralph?' she questioned in a half whis-
"Everythings ready, Margaret. How did
you leave the colonel?"
Snoring like Deacon.
Mnturn laughed softly.
Good for U.S. he said. Il wonder II he'd
sleep so soundly If he knew strange coy
ote was wandering around his corral First
stealing i ever did st!-but
it's worth breaking the commandment for
this time.
He led her while he spoke to where two
horses stood waiting.
I'VE won't give the colonel time to awake.
These old foxes, If you'll pardon me for
| calling your uncle a fox, sleep with one eye
open. He may be watching US now
Margaret turned apprehensively
! Don't worry" treasured Minturn. we We
| got start of several minutes, even II ne
| tries to follow u.s. and Nick and Rowdy
| can cover the distance to Halhday III fes
| ular Lou Dillon time
| He lifted her lightly to the saddle.
"An aboard for Paradise! he cried
| The next moment they were Off at a
| swinging trot
| Everything is all right at the other end
| of the line" he explained, when they had
| put some distance between themselves ana
the Esperanza. odd Lem White, the Jus
| tice at Langtry, fell in with my plans when
! | told him OF them this morning. he
spending the night at Halliday's just to
| save us the long trip to Langtry.
| AS their wiry ponies slipped OH the
| miles she gave a full account of affairs at
| the Esperanza since his memorable inter
view with the colonel. When she told OF
her own quarrel with her uncle, Minturn
chuckled softly Suddenly he halted MS
| horse with a sharp exclamation.
| Look he cried
! A light slimmered from the window of
| the EsperanZa ranch house.
| Minturn jumped from the saddle and lald
a trained ear to the ground.
.We're in for it. Colonel Creighton has
discovered your absence, and is after US at
! full speed
| He was mounted again ere he finished
speaking Nick and Rowdy, like the good
| ponies they We're responded to the PRICK OF
spurs. The steady trot increased TO
| swinging gallop. 49,
IF the colonel is on Black Friday well
| have q tight race to reach Hallidays ahead
, of him, even though we've got four mile
| start"
only once they stopped to listen. The
| sound of pursuing hoofbeats came clear and
distinct. The race was on in earnest.
| For an hour they rode without speaking,
| only the quick breathing and steady pound
! of their horses feet breaking the silence.
Then the dark outlines of Hallidays house
| loomed up ahead ~
Thank heaven cried Mlnturn. VA
| Lem will be waiting for US!
| AS they turned sharply into the roadway
| leading up to the house a loud cry came
| from the trail behind them. Minturn struck
| both horses a sharp blow with his keen
quirt. The gallop qulckened to desperate
| run With ears laid fiat and straining nos
| trils, the ponies were putting forth their
best. Seconds meant everything, ana MIN
| ,1;al hn l2sh wit
| Noble boys! Only ten rods more, now only
| fve-HalIiday' at last!
| Minturn cleared the steps at bound and
| tanned loudly on the door with the toe of
his boot A light fiared up in answer, and
| the rugged face of old Lem White looked
| out upon them.
"Why, Ralph, my boyF' he began. ,,,-
mo time to waste, Lem" warned Min
| turn you can talk and ride at the same
| time. Mount Nick there, and Wen beat
| Colonel Creighton yet"
The genial squire was man OF action
| He grasped the situation at glance Then
| he was up in the saddle-Minturn was al
ready mounted with Margaret-and the
| race on again.
| he dug his spurs viciously in Rowdys Hank
"Yes: they're ali right"'
old Lem turned in his saddle, facing the
couple to his right, and raising ms voice
above the thunder OF hoofbeats, began:
Ralph Mnturn, do you take TINS woman
Margaret Creighton, to be your Lawfully
welded wife-go, Rowdy. go, boy.-to rove
| honor and cherish her SO long as you both
shall live?"
II do?'
Margaret Creighton-good pony! that's
the Eck,-do you take this man, Ralph Min
turn to be your husband, under the same
conditions as stated in the foregoin Z!
II don'
"WhoaY'
Both horses came to a standstill.
JOIN right hands!' directed the squire
"Hold onr' came a sharp command.
1t was Colonel Creighton, only fifty yards
behind sweeping down like an avenging
thunderbolt.
"Yes. and hold tight! admonished the
iustice for now / pronounce you man and
wife-and the devil take the colonel!'