Amador ledger., 1909-04-16

a half smOthered FEMININE scream,
sounded through the stiffness.
The young man prickcd up his ears,
and as the scream sounded once more
he dropped the pipe and tore down the
path at a pace that had won him rec
ords on the cinder path.
Around a bend in the path he sped,
and there before him he saw fran
tlcally plunging horse, an Etruscan
wrlnging his hand and jabberlng help
lessly, while n badly frightened bear
crawled through the underbrush with
many whoofs Of genuine alarm.
The young man jumped for the bit,
caught it and chung on desperately.
The horse, thoroughly frightened,
snorted and plunged and acted gener-
ally like n beast bereft of his senses.
With all his strength he strove to
free himself from the young mans
grasp, but that stubborn will was
equal to the emergency. Men with
mouths like the young mans don't let
go once they have gained hold.
For several minutes it was a battle
royal for the mastery; then the young
mans strength and agility and spirit
prevailed.
The horse, quivering and painting,
came down on all tours and .stood
there, shaking like a leaf
you had best get out for n moment
or two" the young man advised, and
the girl meelly obeyed.
Then she saw his torn coat and blood
on his wrist where the prongs of the
bit had torn the flesh.
"Tom," she cried, quite forgetting
the recent npeasantness-"Tom dear,
are you hurt? There's blood on your
hand and you're all mussed up"
He smiled reassuringly. "Not in the
least, dearie," said he Then he looked
steadily into her eyes. But I'd be
glad to be if-if"-
"If what?" she asked rather breath
lessly.
"If l could make you understand
what an ass 1 feel myself to be and
how sorry I am 1 quarreled with you"
The young woman had her share of
common sense. "Well, rather think
we can forgive each other without
anything so unnecessary as that" said
she. "It was my fault anyway"
81 rather think it was mine," he de-
clared.
Riga, overcome with premonitory
fears, approached, nearly touching the
ground with his forehead, so low were
his bows. His gestures were rapid
and expressive, his face picture OF
woe.
"Not-a my fault! Not-a my faultp'
he repeated over and over, his palms
upturned in depreciation.
The young man turned. "Your
! faultp' he laughed. "Not bit Of it
my friend. In fact, it's the most for
tunate circumstance in the world that
you happened along just as you did
Herep' And into the astounded Etrus
cans hand he thrust crisp ten dollar
bill.
Pietro stood staring at 1t stupidity
scarce daring to believe his good for
tune, while the young man helped the
| girl back to the trap.
1t was only when the trap started
on that Pietro realized he was taking
something and giving nothing in re
| turn.
"Waitw he cried, diving into the
bushes for the recreant Gambietta
await! Mak-a da bear dance-a da
waltz"
"Oh, that's all right" the young man
laughed. you've earned the money!
The trap whisked down the path
Pietro hauled the bear from the I'M
derbrush and made him stand at his
clumsy salute.
His own tattered felt hat was clasp
ed in his hand as he watched the two
young people, sitting close together
and both talking at once, drive out of
| sight Then he and Gambietta set
forth Mt n somewhat livelier pace in
search of supper.