Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-05-29
CHAPTER XIII.
The Shot in the Pass.


The Shot In the Pass
Dicksie walked hurriedly through
the dining room and out upon the rear
porch. Her horse was standing where
she had left him. Her heart beat fu-
riously as she caught up the reins, but
she sprang into the saddle and rode
rapidly away. The flood of her tenn
per had brought disregard Of con-
sequences; it was in the glow OF her
eyes, the lines Of her lips, and the tre-
NOR of her nostrils as she breathed
long and deeply on her flying horse.
When she checked Jim she had rid.
den miles, but not without course
nor without purpose. Where the
roads ahead of her parted to lead
down the river and over the Elbow
Pass to Medicine Bend, she halted
within a clump Of trees almost where
she had first seen McCloud. Beyond
the Mission mountains the sun was
setting in fire like that which glowed
under her eyes. She could have
counted her heart-beats as the crimson
ball sank below the verge of the hori-
zon and the shadows threw up the sill
yer thread of the big river and deep
ened across the heavy green of the al
falfa fields. Where Dicksie sat, strug-
Cling with her bounding pulse and
holding Jim tightly in, no one from
the ranch or, indeed, from the up
country could pass her unseen. She
was waiting for a horseman, and the
sun had set but few minutes when
she heard a sharp gallop coming down
the upper road from the hills.
All her brave plans, terror-stricken
at the sound Of the hoof-beats, fed
from her utterly. She was stunned
by the suddenness of the crisis. She
had meant to stop McCloud and speak
to him, but before she could summon
her courage tall, slender man on
horseback dashed past within a few
feet of her. She could almost have
touched him as he flew by, and q
horse less steady than Jim would have
SHE'D under her. Dicksie caught her
breath. She did not know 2his man
she had seen only his eyes. oddly
bright In the twilight as he passed
but he was not of the ranch. He must
have come from the hill road, she con-
cluded, down which she herself had
just ridden. He was somewhere from
the north, for he sat his horse like q
statue and rode like the wind.
But the encounter nerved her to her
resolve. Some leaden moments
passed, and McCloud, galloping at a
Coz v,oi1dor pooo <ou,o tho fr,1, "a ~, -
roads, checked his speed as he ap.
;proached.. He saw a woman on horse.
back waiting In his path.
''Mr. McCloud!"
Miss Dunning!"
'T could not forgive myself II 1
waited too long to warn you that
threats have been made against your
life. Not of the kind you heard to.
day. Ny cousin is not a murderer,
and never could be, am sure. in spite
Of his talk; but was frightened at the
thought that is anything dreadful
should happen his name would be
brought into it. There are enemies
of yours in this country to be feared,
and it is against these that I warn
you. Goodnight"
Surely you won't ride away with.
out giving me chance to thank you!"
exclaimed McCloud. Dicksie checked
her horse. II owe you double debt
of gratitude" he added, "and I am
anxious to assure you that we desire
nothing that will injure your interests
in any way in crossing your lands"
Il know nothing about those mat
tiers, because my cousin manages
everything. It. is growing late and
you have good way to go, SO good
night"
"But you will allow me to ride back
to the house with you?"
ooh, no, indeed, thank you!''
ut Will soon be dark and you ato
alone"
No, no! am quite safe and I have
only short ride. It is you who have
far to CO." and she spoke again to
Jim, who started briskly.
miss Dunning, won't you listen lust
u moment? Please don't run away!'
McCloud was trying to come up with
her. won't you hear me moment?
~ 00t0 SUAClSU 0Vk4xV AASIAO A4OAAAAAAeSS1OAA
to-day: should really rather be shot
up than have more put on me-. am
ia man and you are a woman, and It Is
/. already dark. Isn't 1t for me to see
you safely to the house? Won't you
lat least pretend Lean act,as an escort
and let me go with you? 'Ishould.make
10 poor figure trying to catch you on
horseback"
Dicksie nodded naivelysss with that
horse"
with any horse. know that, !" said
McCloud, keeping at her side.
But I can't let you ride back with
me-" declared Dicksie, urging Jim and
looking directly at McCloud for the
first time. "How could explain?"
"Let me explain. am famous for
explaining" urged McCloud. squirting,
too.
"And Will you tell me~what should
be doing while you were explaining?"
she asked.
Perhaps getting ready first aid
for the injured"
Il feel as Il ought to run away"
declared Dicksie. since she had clearly
decided not to. ''1t Will have to be a
compromise. suppose. You must not
Iride farther than the drst gate, and