Evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1907-1913, 1907-11-08
A COUNTRY Ri
BY A. ROBERT eRoH.


why didn't / learn to ride,
why wasn't | brought up on ran
I or farm, or somewhere" mourna
Harry Townsend
Helen Harsland, daughter of the
great rancher. Cyrus Marsland, ha
come from her home in Big TIMBER
Ariz., just week before to visit hi
aunt. She had taken the young md
of the town by storm.
She was INCIDENTALLY attractive. Pc
tite. vivacious, sunny tempered. Will
rosy cheeks and great masses of gold
en- hair and daredevil light in he'd
! sparkling gray eyes, She was woml
an to be desired. She dressed tastl
lily and modishly and possessed thu
savior faire which made her at home
in the best society. Moreover, there
was about her certain poise tina
might almost be called "swagger,y
and an indebtedness that camd|
from life on the boundless plains Cd
her fathers ranch.
oh, how ! love to see a man Aat|
can sit horse we'll" she had exc
! ed on the occasion of the first
of Townsend to her and when
young man was already hopele
in love with her. She had desert
the bronco busting" scenes to hi
Townsend couldn't ride at all. al
saw the death of his hopes rigl
then
!
The next day he saw her riding,
with Griscom, and his heart was torn,
with anger and, though he didn't real
ize it, jealousy. He began taking rid
ing lessons. But one cannot become
a good horseman in a day, and mean
time Ne saw her almost daily with
Groscom. Griscom could ride, bud
that was about all he could do. And
on this fact Townsend fastened hi
hopes. He believed the girl liked
him.
Miss Marsland delighted to ride the
most spirited horses the livery af-
forded. She laughed at Young Town
send when he expressed fear that she
might get an unmanageable one. But
she was pleased, nevertheless, at his
concern for her.
Townsend had ridden into the coun-
try one day. He had stopped still
and tried to dismount and rest under
a tree. He didn't like to ride, and
would cheerfully have given 1T up but
| for the girl in his mind that had spur
red him on.
He heard cry, and looking around,
saw horse coming galloping down
the road in cloud of dust. The anil
NAL was plainly running away. AS i'd
| came nearer he saw a girl in the sad-|
die. 1t was Helen Marsland.
AS she came nearer the young man
saw the look of fright in her face.
She had lost hold of the reins and
was clinging to the horn of the sad
die.
| He didn't hesitate moment.
would be pleasure to be killed tr1
| ing to save her, and Immediately
was in pursuit. Slowly he drew me-
er though it seemed every instant
animal would throw him. He col
almost touch the runaway. The
SWdyCu anu lcll JCWdtu nlIu. tf w
a great effort he reached ahead
caught her with one arm and lin
her to his own saddle.
She had tainted. He brought h
horse to a standstill, lifted her dow
and laid her on the green grass b
the side Of the road. He brougl
water in his nat from brook an
revived her. How pretty she locke
with her flushed cheeks on which th
long dark lashes rested.
Her head was on his knee WIFI
she opened her eyes She smiled
him ruefully, and in that moment
paradise was complete, for he re
her heart in her eyes.
THAT cayuse was certainly w
one" she said, and the slang VOL
on her dainty lips, and her refn
tone. had an irresistibly charsni
sound.
He laughed and helped her to risl
She blushed at the admiration whic1
showed SO plainly for his esss. The
she regained her self-uossession
you are really an accomplished
horseman," she said.
Helen" he said-it was the fri
! time he had used her first nam
and she dropped her eyes. blushin
Helen, mayn't ride beside you
ways?"
She struck the side of her buc
skin skirt with her riding whip i'd
tened to her wrist. Then she look
up.
do you think you can keep
with me?"
The young mans arms went arculi
the girl, and there on the quiet cou
try road they felt the ecstasy
their first kiss.-Chicago Journal