The San Francisco call., 1908-12-06

"YeS?" he said, eagerly.
My ideal is the knight without fear
and without reproach-and also with
out limitations. He will never say,
1 can not He will say, win,' and
not for my sake, but because his own
sense OF justice and mercy and loving
kindness will go hand in hand with
his ambition"
One word he broke in, passionate
ly. And now the soft thudding of
hoofs had drawn so near that the pres
ence of the overtaking horseman might
have been felt.
My little allegory didn't deceive you;
you are the one woman, Alicia, dear.
1 didn't mean to tell you yet, though l
think you have known 1T all along;
l had ansidea that wanted to do
something worthy something big
enough to be worth while-before
spoke. But you have given me leave;
don't say you haven't given me leave"
You have taken it, she said softly
adding: And that is what woman
likes / think But you mustn't spoil
my Ideal, Stuart-indeed. you mustn't.
You are young, strong, invincible, as
my knight should be. But when you
strike you must also spare. You say
there is no way save the one you have
indicated; you must find a way"
He smiled ruefully.
You give the cup of water only to
take it away again. I'd rather build
10 railroads than to attempt to smash
North and his confederates through
your uncle. You see I'm frightfully
handicapped right at the start-with
this mine business hanging over me.
But If you say it has to be done, it
shall be. I'll win Mr.. Colbrith over,
In spite of all that has happened; and
he shall fire North and the MacMor-
roghs first and prosecute them after
ward. I've said IT."
1t was just here that the broncos
shied-inward, toward the hill Ford
gathered the slack rein, and Miss Adair
looked up and gave little shrek
Noiselessly, and SO close upon the buck
board that he might have touched
either of its occupants with his raw
hide quirt, rode the Mexican When
they discovered him he was leaning
forward. his half closed eyes mere Sits
with pin points of black fire to mark
them, and his repulsive face a stolid
mask. Ford's hand went instinctively
to the whip; 1T was the only available
weapon. But the Mexican merely
touched his Tapping sombrero and rode
on at the shuffiing fox trot
That man again." shivered Alicia,
when the portent of evil had passed
out of sight around the next curve in
the grade.
But Ford's concern was deeper than
her passing thrill of repulsion.
did you notice his horses hoofs as
he went by?'' he asked soberly.
NO" she said.
Il did. He dismounted somewhere
behind us and covered them with sack
Ing"
"What for?" she asked. shiyering
again with nameless dread
You recall what / was saying when
the broncos SHE'D; his object was to
creep up behind us and listen He has
done 1t more than once since we left
the end of track. and this time"
"Yes?'
This time he heard what he wanted
10 hear"
Beyond the curve which had hidden
The Mexican the wagon road left the
grade, descending abruptly upon the
town. Ford looked back from the turn
and saw that the other two vehicles
were not yet in sight.
Shall we wait for your aunt and the
uthcrsg" he asked.
Her smile was sufficient reward for
the bit of tactful forethought
I'm sure we have left the conven-
tions far enough behind not to be un-
duly terrified by them. I am not afraid
20 go in unchaperoned. Besides. I heard
Uncle Sidney telling Dr. Van Bruce
that our rooms at the hotel had been
engaged for us"
Ford drove carefully down the steep
side street which was the approach to
The hotel An excited throng blocked
the sidewalk and the lobby seemed to
he miniature stock exchange. Single
eyed Ford fought passage through
the crowd with Alicia on his arm. heed
ing nothing until he had seen her safe
ly above stairs and in the sitting room
vf the presidents reservation, with a
cheerful fire in the big sheetiron stove
for her comforting. Then he went down
and elbowed his way through the clam
orous lobby to the clerks desk.
suppose you take minute or two
off and tell me what this town has
gone crazy about, Hildreth.'' he said
with backward nod toward the lobby
pandemonium
why, Great Scott Mr.. Ford-have
you got this far into it without finding
out?" was the astounded rejoinder. 1T s
gold strike on Cow mountain--the