Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-05-10

she thought. IN Forsyrnes love, sne
laughed at his entreaties.
Forsythe grew sick with loathing of
the tent life. Every part of the per-
formnnce disguised him.
Forsyihe overlook her just outside
the dressing tent wild with humiliation
and besought her to marry him that
evening and let him take her home to
South Carolina.
She refused laughingly. but when be
demanded that she stop riding imme-
diately, even though she did not marry
Tim, his arbitrary tones angered her.
and it ended In Il brol'"n engagement.
For two months i't.iythe gave no
sign of wishing to renew his friend
ship with Annette, but treated her with
formal politeness that rendered her
miserlbl
Il wish he would leave the show"
she thought daily. but he remained,
held as by a magnet.
In the quadrille on horseback she
never was his chosen partner again.
and when he had to touch her fingers
il an interchange of movements his
face was stern and inscrutable and
his hands were Nike ice.
Annette's friends were not told Of
her broken engagement. but they no
ticed that her blue eyes were often
dark circled and that in the riding she
rode fastest and most wildly Of all.
AT. last they arrived In south Texas.
Eurrying toward Mexico. the show
stopped at the small towns only: There
came night of terrific rain that soak
ed the ground until 1t was dangerous
for riding, but an exhibition was held
whatever the weather, so O'Clock i'm
the afternoon saw the performance at
its height
The parade around the ring was over
-broncho BUSTERS" Indians. Next
cans, cowgirls and cowboys. Cossacks,
all had passed in review. The stage
holdup and the Indian dance were over.
Then came the cowboy feats of diff
cult riding.
Robert Forsythe rode most reckless
ly of all-vaulting over his galloping
horse, supporting his weight solely by
one hand clutching the pommel-around
the arena.
The Cessacks, most daring riders OF
the world, hated him for his skill. and
Forsythe in the latter weeks of his
| misery had become more reckless in
riding than even Cossack.
Somebody's going to be hurt to
day" remarked one of the spectators.
,, II .ook at that fellow riding the game
| little sorrel with the white feet, won't
| you?"
| Somebody's going to see his flnish.'
remarked the performers behind the
weather beaten retiring curtain. An.
nette shivered and whitened as she
| listened.
1.-The Sorrers down. rang a cry.
| The spectators leaped from Their
seats by hundreds. The horse strug
gled up and shook himself-unhurt
| The man lay still. Then came WON
ans scream from behind the curtain
ooh. Bobby. Bobby Bobby"'
| The young man was raised and has
| tily carried out. The program contin.
ued as If nothing had' happened. and
the show moved on that night toward
Mexico.
When Robert Forsythe. bruised and
with n broken leg. opened his eyes in
the City hospital late that evening the
tear stained face of the best cowgirl
rider of the new Wild West show benz
over him.
He stared at her a moment wonder
ingly.
"Oh. Bobby" she whispered humbl!
and uncertainty. IF you still want me
I'll leave it WILL will!'
A transferring light came in For
sythe's eyes. "When?" he asked ca
gerly.
"Now." she answered. "this minute
Bobby"
Robert fumbled weakly I'm the purs,
which the nurse handed him.
Presently the ring that had bee,
Texas. and the electric lights tina
twinkled within the hospital walls
were as the lights of heaven.
Presently Robert Forsythe broke tn
silence.
Annette" said he. twill you min,
very much-if-if"-
IF what. dear?" said Annette. &c
won't mind anything except you. I
wbat?'
of" said Robert. smiling quizzicaI
~, I'VE stay with the show. Yo
know, I kind of like it now. And
can't let that sorrel beat me-"
Getting Ready For Dry Territory.
2 II am drinking four quarts Of waite
0 day