Evening star., 1909-09-05

he said I'VE can make it by half-past eight.
IF only could have cup of good hot coffee
first, before start, said Beth, and she smiled at
the vainness of the thought
We won't get good coffee at the claim Van
assured her dryly; but near:c0ffee would lure .1
blanket and saddle on his horse. You'll have to
ride, we can't make speed, he added AS
walker, you're the limt-for an adult man
She appreciated thoroughly the del1cacy with
which he meant to continue the fiction OF her sex.
But he certainly frank.
Thank YOU - she answered amusedly. I'D
do better perhaps, if weren't SO overburdened with
hattery."
You'll have to do better, anyhow, if you go on
being man., he observed, concluding preparations
Time with hobbies on could beat us getting move.
He started off, leaving her to mount by herself.
She managed the matter somewhat stif1y, suppress
ing groan the effort and then for an hour was
gently pum1neled into limberness as the pony fol-
lowed Van.
THEY came at the end of that time to of the
upper reaches of that same river she had forded
the previous day To all appearances the vide,
shallow bed counterpart OF the one over which
her horse had waded But the trail turned sharply
down the stream and followed along its bank
They had halted for the pony to drink. Van also
refreshed himself, and Beth dsmounted to lie fiat
down and quench her long, trying thirst
Right across there high up in the hills is the
Laughing Water claim, said Van, pointing north
eastward toward the mountains. Only three
miles away if we could fly; but six as we have to go
around.
And why do we have to go around?' Beth in.
quired. Aren't going to cross the river here!
Looks like river, admit" he said eying the
placid, silent stream. That's graveyard, quick
sand all the way across. y
Beth's heart felt shock at the thought of what
would occur to traveller here unacquanted TED wit with
She added generously, Couldn't walk little now,
and-share the horse?'
When you walk, it gets on suyy's nerves to try
to keep in step, he answered. - Fall in!
They went two miles down the river, then across
on rock and gravel bottom, at ford directly oppo-
site Jagged rift in the mountains. This chasm,
which short and steep they traversed persp1rng-
ly. The was getting warm. Beyond them then
the way was all a rough, hard climb, over ridges,
down through canons, around huge dlkes OF rock,
and past innumerable foldings OF the range How
Van knew the way more than Beth could under
stand She was already growing wearied anew,
since the night had afforded her very little rest and
she had not eaten for nearly day
Van knew she was in no condition for the ride He
watching her constantly rejoicing in her spirit
but aching for her aches He faster pace for the
bronco follow to end the climb soon as possible
At length below rounded ridge, where stunted
evergreens made welcome bit of greenery, he came
to halt.
remain at the claim till somewhere near noon then
I'll show you the way down to Goldite.
Till noon?" She looked at him steadily light
of worry her eyes she thought of arriving late
at Mrs Dicks, with what consequences the Lord
alone knew.
Il can't get away much earlier" he said, and to
this, by the way of acting his part, he added, DO
you want to wear me out!
She knew what he meant He would wait till
noon to give her time to rest. She would need all
the rest he could make possible. And then he would
only show her" the way to Goldite. He would not
ride with her to town She might yet escape the
compromising plight into which she had been thrust
His thoughtfulness, it seemed, could have end.
VERY we'll she murmured I'm sorry to have
made YOU all this trouble She not-some
ways; she law1essly, inordinate1y glad.
The trouble" for Van had been the most precious
in al has will
spasm of delight" he said in his dryest of
hut hat,u Kent ola