The Washington herald., 1907-09-09

possibility OF being run down, she strug-
gled to her feet and uttered a belated. but
frightened, shrek.
Isabel, called out Jim's voice. rs he
refined in HIS horse close beside her. ARE
you all right?"
oh yes. I'm all right" she answered
sarcastically, shaking the snow from her
skirts. but where's my horse?"
Pretty nigh homo by this time If ne
keeps up the Hex he was going Lucky
l saw him tearing down the hill or Ia
never thought 10 look for you up here.
Here put on this coat. and wrap this
scarf over your ears, Now climb on that
rock and set up behind me"
Dock won't carry double" said Isa-
bel, argumentatlvely.
He'll have 70 this time said jim
grimly, refining up close to a lone bowl
Ger. Come here and climb Up behind.
Now put your arms around me-whoat"
as Dock pitched violently and Isabel for
the second time was hurled into q bed
Of snow.
She could hear the swish sf Jim's quirt
bringing swift retributlon TO Dock as
Jim again forced him close 10 the rock.
You're not hurt, Isabel2" anxiously-
come on and Try il again"
No, I'm not hurt" reproachfully, "but
prefer 10 walk" starting off vallantly.
Isabel, If you walk, I'll walkr' J!n's
voice was as decided as her own.
"Oh, just as you please she replied.
trudging obstinateiy forward
Jim swung down, took one stride to-
ward her. then wavered and ciutched the
saddle.
The girl caught her breath sharply.
why, you can't walk" she cried,
penitently. 4 forgot about your lame
anllel
"Win you ride. them" Jlm's face was
white, but he would not give in.
'Yes-oh, yes, Don't stand there and
look Ike that Why did you venture on
horseback? You know the doctor for
babe iti''
I'D like 70 know what would have be-
come Of you II ha6n't comet Now
come oni'
Jim slowly remOunted and rode 20 The
bOwlder. where Isabel meekly followed
and mounted again, clinging desperately
IN response TO Jim's warning 20 hang on
This beats walking, don't ito" asked
Jim, after a few minutes biissful reaiiza-
ton Of her cllnglng arms.
Isabel, though she made no reply. Ger.
tainiy did not deny the assertion. She
could not forget Jim's face in that in
slant when he chung 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 Of her brother 8
partner.
The storms lifting" jim remarked.
Wen be home in a little while now"
''Jim-I-"
What's that?" said Jim. turning his
head.
Yin, rm-awfully-sorry."
Sorry? Because we're almost home?
Som l."
The undoubted sincerity Of his tone
aroused Isabers dropping courage.
ooh. Jim. I'm sorry said 1 knew more
about horses and the weather than you
did-and because you had 70 come after
me-and-and-hurt your foot again"
Anything else7''
''Y-e-s-Tm sorry for what I said
about cowpunchers and-and everything"
Jim managed to turn around enough to
catch a glimpse Of her face
Isabel, look here. You know what I
asked you before you started out on your
wild goose chase. Have you got a dif-
feTent answer noW7"
There was no escape.
'Er-y-e-s'
And have you got any mission to go
and teach the heather Chinese?"
''NO-that isl"
Jim grOaned) helpleSsly.
And you're stuck there behind me
where I can't-steady now. Dock. Reach
around here and kiss me, Isabel-if you
don't III set Dock to bucking again."
Isabel, thus intimidated, made haste
TO obey,
Copyrighted. 1907, by E. c. Parcensl