The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1908-01-22

among the uneven mounds. and be-
fore she had gone far she stumbled
and fell in a scarlet heap, with her
ankle so twisted under her that she
was utterly unable to rise. She heard
q sharp outcry as she went down, and
In horror she thought. He has met
his DEATH"
But his cry had been for her-not for
himself-and when she dared look
around she saw that Robert had
turned the great animal, and was
fencing with him. Haunting the flag in
his face and-ever retreating before
him with the wiles and caution Of an
experienced bull-fgher-wa enticing
the beast on and on in the opposite
direction from where she lay.
One misstep on that uneven ground
would mean certain and awful death,
and he knew It; yet he never sweryed
or faltered. Unarmed, agile, wary,
full Of nerve and perfectly fearless
this was the man she had openly de.
nounced as coward!
But what had happened now? Had
blind terror seized him at last? For
as he freed himself from the labyrinth
Of paths and swelling mounds, and
gained the level drive, Robert sudden
ly turned his back on the bull and
sprang forward-running as If for his
life-whlle the animal. with head
down, plunged after him, believing
and gaining upon him at every step.
And so they passed. in an ugly vision,
out through the gate and from Neris-
sa's sight
The next she knew the gate was
shut, and Robert was fastening
toward her, breathless, empty-handed
and unharmedl
"Nerissa, are you hurt?" he cried.
bending over her where she lay in a
huddled heap.
She was very pale and was trem-
bling pitifully, and now she began TO
sob quietly.
It's nothing-only my ankle-I
can't move-but it doesn't matter. 1
was 50 afraid
res, know, ne painted, as ne lit
ed her into an easier position; "but
there's no danger now-no, none at
ALI for she was clinging to his hand
like a child who is still afraid. But
she hid her face, as If refusing to be
comforted.
"Oh-after that first mad moment |
was not afraid--for myself, she
sobbed at last. 1T was for you-but
you feared nothing, could see that
and had dared call you a coward It
was the brayest thing I ever know
He looked down at her with a sur
Drised and puzzled smile. for how can
a mere man ever hope to gauge a
girls estimate Of his actions?
A short distance beyond the Gene
terry Nerissa saw an ox-eart, and asked
to be taken home in that.
So a bargain was made and soon
Nerissa was enthroned on q couch Of
hay.
"But-won't you ride, toog" she
said.
No, will walk alongside"
Please ride; I want you-beside
me. she murmured, and Robert, with
a new light in his eyes, climbed in.
He carried her again from the OK
cart to the house. And then, for he
was physician, and it was Nerissa's
request that he should do so, he
bandaged up the aching ankle.
Then once more he stood before her
and said "good-by."
But-why must you 60 away
now?" Nerissa asked. nervously, as
she realized that IN the amends she
wished to make she was to have no
help.
Because my arrangements are all
made and my word is given. I 60 to
start my life afresh in new place. Il
is too late to change my mind now
even If wished to do so, he said
did you think I would care to stay
-permanently-after what had
oceurred?"
'No-I suppose not" she admitted
wistfully; still am sorry" Then,
holding fast by the remembrance khat
he had that day declared he loved her
still. she shut her eyes and added
desperately: Robert, tell me this.
when you gave them your word you
would go--did you promise you would
go-alone?"
The news Of Nerissas reengage