The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-12-29
HOW LEILA
ENTERED HER CLAIM
BY FRANK H. SWEET.
Copyright, 1901, by Authors syndicate.)
7 ELLA sTAUNToN had gone I

\ ELLA SIAUNION nau gone 10
Florida with the intention of
taxing up homestead; but had been
at her brother-in-law's there three
weeks now without hearing of a
single vacant piece. One day he came
in with a radiant face.
"Iye found a prize for you, Leila"
he exclaimed. "a German who lives
two miles from here has just been
left fortune at home, and is going
back. He entered his claim nearly
three years ago, and has made quite a
lot Of improvements but of course he
doesn't mind them now He leaves this
afternoon, and then the land becomes
public property. asked him If he had
spoken Of IL to anyone, and he said
only to the postmaster He received
the news this morning, and told the
postmaster about il. | have been able
to do him some service, and when I
spoke about you he seemed pleased,
and said that he would like you to
have the land and the improvements.
He said he would like TO think Of the
place belonging to some Of my people.
Now, the sooner you file your claim, the
better will go with you tomorrow,
II you like"
why NOT at once2" asked Leila,
eagerly.
II have an engagement this after.
noon, and can't possibly get Off. But
Wen start early in the morning"
"That might be too late. It's only
is miles to Gainesville. Why can't
go alone?"
well, I-don't know" thoughtfully.
II hardly like the idea OF your going
alone. Still, time is important, as you
say, and the road is good, and you are
a splendid rider. You could make it in
three hours, and spend the night with
Mrs. Wilson. Under the circum-
stances"
II would better 60" she interrupt
ed. Good! Now, il you will please
saddle the horse, | will get ready"
Her brother-in-law's place was in
the outskirts of small town, and as
he went toward the stable he heard
hasty footsteps outside the fence
which separated him from the street,
and presently strong, athletic figure
vaunted over and came toward him.
II beg your pardon, Mr.. Clifford" the
stranger said, hurriedly, but let me
have a horse for few hours? My broth
or said that you kept the best horses
in town"
"Not to let, though" answered Mr..
Clifford, rather coldly. Who is your
brother?"
atHanr., NVnyna 4ha ,,oc4,.,, .+or W,
see, | only reached here to-day, and
Henry has been telling me something
which renders my presence in Gaines
willie Imperative"
"Ahl" Mr.. Gifford's, "ah, was veryex-
pressive, and he looked out across his
orange grove as though in search Of an
answer to some unspoken thought.
II am In a great hurry" limited MIR.
Wayne, after a prolonged silence, land
will pay you we'll"
81 want no pay" hastily. Then with
n sudden change Of voice; "Yes, Ithink
| can let you have n horse, but do
not warrant his speed"
Leading the way to the stable, he
pointed TO large gray.
THAT Is the strongest one in the
stable" he said; you can have him II
you like. The black is faster, but
reserve him especially for the side
saddle; and the two bays have been
working this morning"
Five minutes later he led the black
horse to the stile. Leila was waiting.
who was that gentlemanP" she
asked.
"A Mr.. Wayne. He is going to Gaines
vile. let him have the gray horse"
The gray horsel" she echoed, as
she sprang lightly into the saddle.
why, that is the pillow horse, He could
go faster on foot"
so think" coolly, shut Found he
Is after the very piece OF land | told
you about. He has gone by the main
road; you must take the short cut
through the S've oaks. That will save
you two miles, and allow you TO avoid
him. lie might recognize the black
horse" He took slip Of paper from
his poclSetbook and handed il to her
that contains all the necessary in
formation about the homestead" he
admonished. give It 10 the clerk
whose name is on the back. He knows
me, aud will see that your entry Is
made correctly. Now go, and don't
spare the whip"
Leila was a good rider, as he had
said, and II was not long before she
had passed through the live oaks to the
main road, The stranger was not in
sight.
For half an hour she sped on, the
horse taking the road almost as light
ly as bird; then suddenly a piece of
newspaper ratified across their path,
and the horse SHE'D violently throw
ing her into the bushes.
Fortunately, she was not much hurt;
but as she rose to her feet a sharp
twinge told her that one OF her ankles
was sprained. The horse was nibbling
tussock grass a few yards away
"Dick, Dickl Come, Dick!" she
coaXed limping toward him.
But Dick was in playful mood, and
as she advanced he retreated. She fol-
lowed him several rods, then he
whirled and trotted back over the road
g Eol ~ 4. 4