Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1907-08-29

Slt II y % itH--s, IL ~ . u. Silc stTuk-
glel to her feet aLG uttered Il belated
but frightened Shrek
Isabel" called out Jim's voice as he
rcned IL his horse close beside her,
ARE YOU NJ rightly"
"Ch. yes, I'm al right" she answer
ed sarcasticllly. shaking the snow from
her skirts. hut where's my horse?'
Pretty nigh home by this time If he
keeps up the lick he was going. Lucky
saw him tearing down the hill or I'd
never have thought TO look for you up
here. Put on this coat and wrap this
scarf over your ears. Now, climb on
that rock and get up behind me-"
Dock won't carry double" said Isa-
bel argumentatively.
Hell have to this time" said jim
grimly. refining up close to a lone bowl
der Come here and climb on behind.
Now put your arms around me
whoa as Dock pitched violently and
Isabel for the second time was hurled
into bed of snow.
She could hear the swish of Jim's
quirt bringing swift retribution to
Dock as Jim again forced him close
TO the rock.
you're not hurt, Isabel?" anxiously.
"Come on and try It again"
mo, I'm not hurt" reproachfully,
vaIiantly.
Isabel. If you walk, I'll walk"
inns voice was rs decided rs her own.
"Oh, just as you please" she replied,
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. Il forgot about your lame
ankle."
"Win you ride thenW Jlm's face
was white, but he would not give in.
"Yes-oh. yes! Don't stand there
and look like that! Why did you ven
ture on horseback? You know the doc
tor forbade it,
I'D like to know what would have
become of you if hadn't come. Now
come on"
Jim slowly rcmountcd and rode to
the bowlder. where Isabel meekly fol-
lowed and mounted again, clinging
desperately in response to Jim's warn
ing TO hang on.
This beats walking cont it:' asked
Jim after Il few minutes bllssful
realization of her clinging arms.
Isabel. though she made no reply,
certainly did not deny the assertion.
She could not forget inns face In
that instant when he chung to the sad
die, and she was consumed by de-
sire to know the exact state of his feel
ings toward her. Her mission to Chi
ma grew all at once distasteful and
stupid rs viewed from behind the
broad back of her brothers partner.
''The storms lifting" linn remarked.
We'll be home in a little while now"
"Jim-I"-
What's that?" said jim, turning his
head
"Jm, I'm--awfully--sorry."
Sorry? Because We're almost
home? Som l."
The undoubted sincerity of his tone
aroused Isabels dropping courage.
"Oh, Jim. I'm sorry | said | knew
more about horses and the weather
than you did-and because You had to
come after me-and-and-hu your
foot again"
Anything eseE'
Eyes: I'm sorry for what | said
about COW punchers and-and-every-
thing"
Jim managed to turn around enough
to catch a glimpse of her face.
isabel. look here. You know what
l asked YOU before you started out on
your wild goose chase. Have you got
a different answer nowT'
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 hclplessly.
"And you're stuck there behind me
where cant-steady, now, Dock.
Reach around here and kiss me, lisa
bel. If you don't III set Dock to buck
ing again
Isabel thus lntimidated, made haste
10 obey.