Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-07-22
"Shouldert"
which shoulder Is sprung."


wreck"
McCloud felt humiliated at having
nothing better worth while to offer.
at was a very bad one" he ventured.
"But not of the kind can be OF any
help at, I fear"
McCloud smiled. I'VE are certainly
short of help"
Dicksie brought her horses head
around. She felt again of the girth
as she replied: "Not such as can
supply, I'm afraid" And with the
words she stepped away, as If prepar-
Ing to mount.
McCloud interviewed. II hope you
won't 90 away without resting your
horse. The sur IS so hot. Mayn't I
offer you some sort OF refrcshment? 2"
Dicksie Cunning thought not.
"The sun is very warm" persisted
McCioud
Dicksie smoothed her gauntlet in
The assured manner natural to her.
4 am pretty we'll used to it,.
But McCloud held on. Several cars
of fruit were destroyed in the wreck
] can offer you any quantity Of grapes
crates Of them are spelling over
thore-and pears"
Thank you, I am Just from lunch.
con-
And | have cooled water in the car
| hope you won't refuse that so far
out in the desert"
IIirl InnrhoI Ia
call this far? | don't; and | don't
call this desert by any means. Thank
you ever so much for the water, but
I'm not in the least thirsty"
1T was kind OF you even to think
OF extending help. | wish you would
let me send some fruit over to your
ranch. It is only spelling here
Diclsie stroked the neck Of her
horse 1T is about IS miles to the
ranch house"
Il don't call that far
"Oh. il isn't, she returned. hastily,
protesting not to notice the look that
went with the words. except for per-
ishahl" thinEs," Then. as If acknowl-
edging her disadvantage, she added,
swinging her bride rein around! Il
am under obligations for the offer, just
the same
AZ least, wont you let your horse
drink McCloud threw the force of
an appeal into his words, and Dickse
stopped her preparations and APP
pearod 20 waver.
Jim is pretty ttirsty. l suppose.
Have you pier y OF water?'
"A tender foil. Had I better lead
him down While you wait up on the
hill IN the shade?"
Cant | ride him down."
1T would be pretty rough riding"
ooh. Jim goes anywhere" she said,
with her attractive indifference 70 sit
uations. IF you don't mind helping
me mount"
With pleasure"
She stood waiting for his hand and
McCloud stood, not knowing just what
TO do. She glanced at him eXpectant-
ly. The sun grew intensely hot.
you will have to show me how
ne stammered at last.
Don't you know?
He mentally cursed the technical
education that left him helpless at
such moment. but it was useless to
pretend. Frankly. | don't
Just give me yorr hand. Oh, not
in that way, But never mind, III
walk" she suggested. catching up her
skirt
The rocks will cut your boots all
to pieces. Suppose YOU tell me what
to do this once" he said, assuming
some confidence. IN never forget
Why, if You will just give me your
hand for my foot, can manage, you
know"
He did not know, but she lifted her
skirt graciously. and her crushed boot
rested easily for a moTeut in his
hanc. She rose in the air above him
before he could we'll comprehend. He
felt the quick spring from his sup
porting hand, and it was an instant of
eXhilaration Then she balanced her
self with flushed laugh in tho sad
die, and he guided her ahead among
the loose rocks. The horse nosing at
his elbow rs they picked their way
Crossing the track. they gained bet
ter ground. AS they reached the
switch and passed box car, Jim
SHE'D, and Dicksie spoke sharply to
him. McCloud turned.
In the shade Of the car lay the
tramp.
That man lying there frightened
him" explained Dicksic. "Oh, she
exclaimed, suddenly, he has been
hurt" She turned away her head. as
that the man who was in the wreck"
Yes"
DO something for him. He must
be suffering terribly"
THE men gave him some water
awhile aso. and when we moved him
into the shade we thought he was
dead"
He isn't dead yet" Dicksie's face,
still averted, had grown white. Il
saw him move. Can't you do some
thing for him."
She refined up at little distance.
McCloud bent over the man a mo-
ment and spoke 10 him. When he rose
he called to the men on the track.
You are right" he said, rejoinins
Dicksie; "he is very much alive. His
name Is Wickwire; he is a cowboy
"A cowboy"
"A tramp cowboy"
What can you do with him."
"I'll have the men put him IN the
caboose and send him to Barnhardt s