The Irish standard., 1908-06-06
ccastons Esther patiently

d.
from the memory of the morning.
Had any one seen him go?" she
asked. And Shack hearing her ques-
ton, told her that Bill had saddled
not quarter hour ago, an lit out west
down the track" -
81 can overtake him, then," she said
to Sally B. as she mounted.
81 don't like ter see We start off
alone" Sally B. said; yet she was too
fearless herself to suspect danger;
and her protest was perfunctory.
'I'll find Mr.. Bernard shortly; don't
worry about me-"
Look out for that there breakfast
guest of our'n. If you met up with
him, he might take shine to you, or
yore mare"
MY lungs are good. And section
men are too plenty and Swift's heels
too nimble for any man on foot to hurt
me-" Esther replied nonchalantly.
Besides, he'll be far toward Wells
by this time. That's his first chance
for supper"
1t was good to be out in the open
this perfect day, to be alone. She
kept on the lookout for her cavalier,
expecting momentarily to overtake
him. Presently she spied him climbing
a high hillside to the north. 1t looked
hot and breathless over there. She
knew the succession of ridge and hol-
low in that direction. No wide, level
spaces for gallopS, no open vistas. She
would have this one long afternoon to
herself, listen for voices that spoke
only to the solitary ear. She rode
slowly, making subconscious notes
of the smooth, trodden path beside
the track, at places where she would
give the mare her head when return.
ing in the cooler afternoon.
! A patch of brilliant desert flowers in
small nook where the melting snow
had been gathered and neld caught
her capricious eye. She would be hid
den from the town here, yet not far
from the track and passing trackmen.
: 1t would be quite safe. Dsmounting,
she gathered great bunch of the sum
colored blossoms, and tucked them in
hat and habit front. She uncoiled the
Mexican hair rope from beneath her
I saddle flap; and, giving Swift 40 feet
of freedom, sat down, back to the
track, to memories and day dreams
day dreams that purloined time un-
needed, till the iron train thundered
past.
Eyes that caught the vision of beau
ty in horse and rider silhouetted
against the gray hillside lighted with
sudden appreciation; and one pair
famed up curiously, watched eagerly
till the vision vanished then gloomed
above set teeth and clenched hands
H.. Esther remounted and resumed her
ride, still slowly. The mood for
! speed had not come A short distance
farther on she came to deep, curving
cut. Instantly on entering an uncan.
ny sensation possessed her, a PRESENT.
| ment Of danger: Yet she derided her.
self, and touched Swift to lope. Had
not the train just passed? What
menace could arrive in ten minutes?
Along the banks were a few cave
like depressions cut for some purpose
by the graders. AS Esther rounded
the curve fleeting glimpse of horse
man coming toward the cut from the
other end was interrupted by the
voice of man who sprang from one
Of the little holes and caught her
bride rein.
I'll trouble you for that sparkler,
miss; and don't take too much time
getting off your glove. Keep them
ruby lips shut, too, I might add by
way of friendly advice"
Esther was looking into the barrel
OF pistol held by the man she had
that morning served with coffee. 1t
was not courage that came quicker
than reason to her; rather, a swift
anger that this creature should pre-
sumo to molest her.
"How dare you?" she cried fearless.
ly, striking the hand on her bride
stinging blow with her whip. In the
instant of surprise and pain that made
| him release her. she whirled the mare
on two feet and was off.
Ihree shots rang out behind her.
She heard the whizz of bullet peril
ously near, yet raced wildly on, every
sense alert to keep her horses feet
from pitfalls. No sounds followed
her. She knew the man would not
dare show himself, would probably
hide from the other rider If possible;
and the mare was putting the miles
behind her in marvelously few min.
utes.
Esther began to breathe more free.
ly. Near the town she slowed to a
walk and looked back. Neither mis-
creant nor horseman could be seen.
She stopped to put herself to rights.
Her heart was beating fast, yet as
much from the rapid riding as from
fear, she told herself. All had hap
pened so quickly, 1t now scarcely
seemed real. Dread Of making a scene
was stronger than fear for what had
passed; and it nerved her to ride quiet
1v I'm to the hotel