The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-07-16
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Lctuok uSCiucu y Aao 10 Usual. Ah-
mediately after the noon dinner her
mount was brought to the door; but
her kindly knight was missing. This
vas not alarming. His memory often
failed him in the daily routine, when
he saddled his horse and wandered
alone in the hills hunting for color"
but always returned safe; and on such
occasions Esther patiently went
without her ride. But today she was
disappointed. She wanted to get away
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
net a quarter hour ago, an lit out west
down the track"
II can overtake him, then" she said
to Sally b. as she mounted.
II don't like ter see We start off
alone" Sally b. said: yet she was too
fearless herself to suspect danger;
and her protest vas perfunctory.
I'll find Mr.. Bernard shortly; don't
worry about me-"
Look out for that there breakfast
guest Of our'n. II you met up with
Aim, he might take a shine TO you. OF
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
q high hillside to the north. It 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 BAR. 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
q small nook where the melting snow
had been gathered and held caught
her capricious eye. She would be hid
den from the town here. yet not far
from the track and passing trackmen.
II would be quite safe ~Dismonnting,
she gathered a great bunch OF the sun
colored blossoms. and tucked them In
hat and habit front. She ~uncoilsd the
Mexican hair rope from beneath her
saddle flap: and. giving Swift 40 feet
OF freedom, sat down, back to the
track, to memories and day dreams
day dreams that purioined time un-
needed, till the iron train Numbered
past.
Eyes that caught the vision Of beau
ty in horse and rider silhouetted
against the gray hillside lighted with
sudden appreciation; and mi pair
famed up curiously. watched eagerly
till the vision vanished. then gloomed
above set teeth and clenched hands.
Esther remounted and resumed her
ride. still slowly. The mood for q
speed had not come. A short.distance
farther on she came to q deep, curving
cut Instantly on entering an uncan-
ny sensation possessed her, q PRESENT.
ment OF danger. Yet she derided her.
sell. and touched SWIFT to a lope. Had
not the train just passed? What
could arrive In ten minutes?
Along the banks were a few cave
like depressions cut for some purpose
By tho graders. AS Esther rounded
the curve q fleeing glimpse Of a horse
man coming toward the cut from the
other end was interrupted by the
voice OF q mar 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 OF your glove. Keep them
ruby lips shut, too. I might add by
way Of friendly advice"
Esther was looking into the barrel
Of a pistol held by the man she had
that morning served with coffee. It
was not courage that came quicker
than reason to her; rather. q swift
anger that this creature should pre-
sumo to modest her.
How dare your" she cried fearless
~. striking the hand ON her Birdie .
singing blow with her whip. In the