The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-21
confusion. shifting whir

At the top of the hill they met the full fury of the first blizzard of the season.
 Zoe was certainly right about the weather" Isabel admitted, shiveringly, but he was entirely wrong about Firefiy: he behaves admirably-it was not his fault that we got lost He hasn't the slightest disposition to | buck-
 The storm gave a whistling shriek Suddenly there was a tumultuous up- heaval of something somewhere-a brief. breathless sensation of flying | through the air, and then a snowdrift received Miss Amber into its downy | embrace.
 It was horrible shock. Isabel did | not cry: she was too stunned and hu- initiated for that. To think that Fire fly would pitch her off and abandon her on this desolate hill She had not the slightest idea of what direction to take. and wondered dumbly what she should do. Presently she heard the muffled trampling of hoofs and dis covered horse and rider rapidly bearing down upon her. Not relishing the possibility of being run down she struggled to her feet and uttered a belated but frightened shriek
 Isabel" called out Jim's voice as he refined in his horse close beside her. D are you all flgntF
 "oh, yes. I'm all right" she answer ed sarcastically, shaking the snow from her skirts. But where's my | horse?"
 Pretty nigh home by this time if I he keeps up the lick he was going Lucky saw him tearing down the hill or I'd never thought to look for you up here. Here, put on this coat and wrap this scarf over your ears. Now climb on that rock and get up behind me-" l Dock won't carry double" said Isa- bel, argumentatively l He'll have to this time." said Jim grimly, refining up close to lone powder Come hehe and climb on be- hind. Now put your arms around me whoa!' as Dock pitched violently and Isabel for the second time was hurled into a bed of snow.
 She could hear the swish of Jim's 1 quirt bringing swift retribution to Dock as Jim again forced him to the rock
 You're not hurt. Isabel?" anxious ly-"come on and try 1t again."
 NO, I'm not hurt" reproachfully, "but I prefer to walk" starting off valiantly.
 'Isabel. if you walk, I'll walk Jim's voice was as decided as her own. | re- piled, trudging obstinately forward.
 Jim swung down. took one stride to- ward her. then wavered and clutched the saddle.
 The girl caught her breath sharply.
 Why, you can't walk!" she cried, penitently. T forgot about your lame anklei
 will you ride then?' Jim's face was white. but he would not give In. l "YeS-0h Don't sfonI tbarn r a look like that! Why did you venture on horseback. You know the doctor forbade iti"
 'T'd like to know what would have become of you if hadn't come! Now come on!"
 Jim slowly remounted and rode to the powder where Isabel meekly fol- lowed and mounted again clinging desperately in response to Jims warn ing to hang on.
 This beats walking, don't it?' asked Jim after a few minutes blissfu1 real tZation of her clinging arms. | Isabel. though she made no reply, certainly did not deny the assertion. She could not forget Jim's face in that instant when he clung to the saddle. and she was consumed by a desire to know the exact state of his feelings toward her. Her mission to China grew all at once distasteful and stupid as viewed from behind the broad back l of her brothers partner.
 The storms lifting,'' Jim remarked We'll be home in little while now" "Jim-I--"
 Whats that9T said Jim. turning his head.
 "Jim, Pm-awfully-sorry." Sorry? Because we're almost home? Som l."
 The undoubted sincerity of his tone aroused Isabers drooping courage. "Oh, Jim, I'm sorry I said I knew more about horses and the weather than you did-and because you had to come after me-and-and-hurt your foot again" Anything elseT'
 "Y-e-s-Tm sorry for what I said about cowpunchers and--and every- thing"
 Jim managed to turn around enough to catch a glimpse of her face.
 Isabel. look here. You know what II asked you before you started out on your wild goose chase. Have you got different answer now?'
 There was no escape. "Er-y-e-s-
 And have you got any mission to go and teach the heather Chinese%
 "No-that is-I-
 Jim groaned help1essly.
 And you're stuck there behind me Reach around here and kiss me. Isa- bel-if you don't I'll set Dock to buck ing again"
 Isabel, thus intimidated. made haste to obey.