The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1907-06-22

must pass. She couldsnot. 60, backafor
1t was probably neal evening. The
sun threatened to break through the
clouds near the horizon. The rain had
entirely ceased. She felt tired, but
happier and quiet after the relief Of
tears.
Then she remembered a way through
Richards fields that they had often
taken. She would have to pass a bad
slough, but that could not be helped.
He must not see her In her present
plight. She realized that her face was
swollen and her eyes red with weep
ing and that she was covered with
mud. Her hair was flying wildly,
though the dampness always made 1t
the curlier. She turned into the pas
ture after dismounting to open a heavy
| gate, and as she rode along she re-
moved her cap and, transferring her
hairpins to her mouth, let the relns fall
on Ginger's neck while she shook out
her long hair and prepared to coil it
more closely. But Ginger gave a sud-
den jerk, and In calling "Whoa!" the
pins fell from her mouth into the mud
aud water. Then she laughed long and
heartily and gave the wind Its will
with her hair. No one would see her
anyway.
AS she neared the slough she felt
very warm aud unfasteneaa her habit
at the throat. Ginger was plunging
and snorting through the mud and
stopped once with n jerk that almost
threw the girl from her saddle. The
wind caught at her dress, and before
she realized it the two luckless letters
were spread out in the mud. 1t was
no laughing matter, for Richard would
be sure to find them, and the mud was
so deep she could not possibly dis
mount. She drove Ginger as close to
them as possible and was leaning
over reaching for them 30 attentively
| that she did not see Richard till he
rode up almost against her.
Her eyes met his, defantly conscious
of her floating hair and her soiled face
and above all the telltale letters. She
wished her writing was fner-she
could see that hateful II love you"
from where she now was! He lifted
his hat and was getting down to hand
her the letters when she stopped him.
Richard Copeland, you go right
away. Don't touch them. I will get
them myself"
"You can't. You'd get stuck in the
mud. Let me"
"If you do, Ill-hate you."
"You do anyway, and, besides, I won't
II 1No1y nj rvyhotnrVn~ a. Ia ryosY oanvvo RI
value So" He coolly dismounted, but
she sprang down ahead Of him and
snatched at them, sinking to her knees
In the slush. Ginger started, and Rich.
ard called "Whoay' but gave the poor
beast n sly cut with his whip that sent
her on n mad gallop for home. He
held Colonel by the bride. Edith
faced him.
Nov, Edith" he said, hate m o,
not. You will have to get On Colonel
and be taken home. Comedian"
"Ill die here frst!' He mounted
and, riding close to her, suddenly caught
her in his arms and drew her strug
Cling and angry to the saddle in from
Of him.
"Edith," he said, II couldn't helI
seeing the 4 love you on the lettel
you were so anxious about. Was 1
written for met" Suddenly she fel
that she could bear it no longer. Sh,
turned her face against his shoulder
and cried, while he smoothed back hel
long hair and held her very close. He
pride was quite gone. She was in tear
and n fright generally. She felt tina
It vas positively a miracle that h
could still love her. He kissed tn,
only available place, which happened
to be her left ear. Then he asked he
again about the letter.
II meant It for you," she owned, ''bu
I couldn't send 1t, and I was misera
BILE"
He laughed softly and babe her lool
up, and Colonel somehow understoo,
that he was expected to 80 very, yer.
slow.