Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1907-08-01

ed horse and rider rapidly bearing
down upon her. Not relishing the pos
sibility of being run down, she strug-
gled to her feet and uttered a belated
but frightened Shrek.
Isabel" called out Jim's voice as he
reined in his horse close beside her,
"are you all right?''
''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 he
keeps up the lick he was going. Lucky
saw him tearing down the hin 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 lisa
bel argumentatively.
Hell have to this time" said Jim
grimly, refining up close to lone bowl
der "Come here and climb on behind.
Now put your arms around me-
whoar as Dock pitched violently and
ISGLiyCi IOl lllC oCCOlAt time was uuIItkl
into a 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
"but I prefer to walk" starting off
valiantly.
Isabel, if you walk, I'll walkn'
Jims voice was as decided as 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 walkr' she cried
penitently. 81 forgot about your lame
hnklew
'Win you ride then?" Jim'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 onr'
Jim slowly remounted 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, don't it," asked
Jim after few minutes blissfu'
realization 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 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 as viewed from behind the
broad back of her brothers partner
1.-THE storms lifting" Jim remarked.
"We'll be home in a little while now"
"Jim-I"-
whats that?" said Jim, turning his
head
"Jim. I'm-awfully-sorr
Sorry? Because we're almost
home? Som l."
The undoubted sincerity of his tone
aroused Isabeps dropping courage.
ooh, Jim, I'm sorry l said l 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 else?"
eyes; I'm sorry for what l 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
I asked you before you started out on
your wild goose chase. Have you got
q 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 ST.
Jim groaned helplessly.
'And you're stuck there behind me
where l can't-steady, now, Dock.
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.