The Somerset reporter., 1906-03-15


morning, with this scorching wind, and
now | can see it gathering out there on
the desert. | wonder If you would be
willing to ride In to the ranch alone
while l ride out to speak to Mr.. Al
cott?"
Edith blushed a little. why, yes,
of course III go, but-but l wish you
would let me ride your horse back,
Mr.. Esterly. I'm SO afraid Josephine
will buck"
"Why, she's as safe as a church.
And Billy here used to buck like a
jack rabbit. OF course, he's all right
now, though"
please" pleaded the girl
Harry jumped from his horse and
helped Edith from the saddle
Let me change saddles quickly" he
said. we've no time to waste" And
In a few minutes Edith was canterine
swiftly toward the ranch house. while
Harry rode out toward the distant
herd.
Half an hour after Edith reached the
house the dust storm was upon them.
Whirlpools of dust were hurled upon
the house by a bowling wind that
shook the very rafters
Hour after hour of intense dry heat.
combined with the sereeching of the
wind, rasped the nerves almost to the
breaking point. Edith strolled restless
ly from room to room, watching the
dust slft in through the closed window
and under the doors. Finally she ap-
preached Mr.. Alcott, who had come In
just after the storm broke.
HAS Mr.. Esterly come in?" she ask
ed. would you mind looking, Jim.
N.Y."
Mr. Alcott sighed patiently and went
out into the storm. In few minutes
he returned, looking a little anxious.
Hes not there" he said. He told
me he'd reach here by the time the
storm broke It's letting up little,
and III send some of the men out soon,
though nothing could have happened
to an old timer like Harry"
Edith said nothing, but as the wind
lessened she stole softly from the room
and out toward the stables. Dusk was
just beginning to deepen as she rode
swiftly out toward the stopping place
of the morning.
III he got caught he made for that
little shelter. know" she said to her
self But l know that that Josephine
has done something, even IL he is
cowboy, and it's all my fault"
She drew rein by the hillock. Back
In its shadows sat Harry, pale, but
calmly smoking. until he saw the star
tied eyes Of the girl. Edith gave him
no time for questions.
oh" she moaned, II knew Joseph
Inc would do something!
Harry glanced In an embarrassed
way at his ankle. about which he had
awkwardly tied a handkerchief.
"All my own carelessness," he said
81 stood in the saddle to look for the
herd and II the blamed little imp didn't
buck without word of warning and
threw me. III never hear the end of
this at the ranch. First horse that's
thrown me in five years. They'll find
us In little while. They know this
place"
But Edith could not see the humor OF
the situation
81 was n selfish, cruel thing" she
moaned, "Oh you poor. poor boy"
Harry looked ut her closely. Then he
leaned forward and quietly took pos
session of her hand
Edith" he said softly, Edith, do
you caref"
Edith looked out into the dusk. "A
cowboy" she thought, Just a plain
cowboy! What would they sayY Then
with a deep blush she looked into his
face. Eyes" she half whispered, I'm
afraid l do. You see, l always said I'd
never marry any but a college man."
rs that so?" chuckled Harry. We'll
you're keeping your vow. l have a
sheepskin kicking around In my stuff
somewhere"
and you never told meP' Edith ex-
claimed.
Harry looked up In surprise. Gee,
he said, "Td forgotten all about It,"
And he sighed In absolute content as
be felt Edith's face against his coat
sleeve.