The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1909-10-01

never worry over what can't be
helped-though it is dollars to
cents that those fellows don't need
me- down there any more than a cat
needs two tails. And how will you
get back?" he asked, turning to Dick
sic.
81 will ride back" returned Dicksie,
loftily. But you may, if you like,
help me get my horse up"
Are you sure you can find your
way back?" persisted McCloud.
Dicksie looked at him in surprise
Find my way bacll?" she echoed,
softly. Il could not lose it. l can
ride over any part of this country at
noon or at midnight, asleep or awake.
with a saddle or without, with bride
or without, with trail or without.
| I've ridden every horse that has ever
come on the Crawling Stone ranch.
could ride when was three years old.
Find my way backo9"
The messenger had gone when the
two rode from the house. The sky
was heavily overcast, and the wind
blew such a gale from the south and
west that one could hardly hear what
| the other said. McCloud could not
have ridden from the house to the
barn in the utter darkness, but his
horse followed Dicksies. She halted
frequently on the trail for him to
come up with her, and after they had
crossed the alfalfa fields McCloud did
not care whether they ever found the
path again or not. Its great, isn't
it?' he exclaimed. coming up TO her
after opening a gate in the dark.
Where are you?"
''This way" laughed Dcksie. Look
out for the trail here. Give me your
hand and let your horse have his head
i If he slips, drop off quick on this
side" McCloud caught her hand
They rode for moment in silence
the horses stepping cautiously. Cali
right now" said Dicksie; you may let
go" But McCloud kept his horse up
close and chung to the warm hand
THE camp is just around the hill, y
murmured Dicksie, trying to pull
away. "But of course if you would
like to ride in holding my hand you
may!"
I NO." said McCloud, "of course not
not for worlds! But, Miss Dicksie
couldn't we ride back to the house
and ride around the other way into
camp: l think the other way into the
camp-say, around by the railroad
bridge-would be prettier, don't you?'
For answer she touched Jim lightly
with her lines and his spring released
her hand very effectively. AS she die
SO the trail turned, and the campfire
whipped in the high wind, blazed be
fore them
Whispering Smith and Lance Dun
ming were sitting together as the two
galloped up. Smith helped Dicksie tt
alight. She was conscious of her color
and her eyes were now unduly bright
Moreover, Whispering Smiths glance
Usted so calmly on both McCloud'.
face and her own that Dicksie felt a.
if he saw quite through her and knew
everything that had happened since
they left the house
Lance was talking to McCloud
boIl l. duuSe me Wlnu, .MCClOuQ wa!
saying. Its our best friend tonight
!, Mr.. Dunning. 1t is blowing the wa
ter off-shore. Where is the trouble 2
For answer Cunning led McCloud of
toward the bend, and Dicksie was lief
alone with Whispering Smith.
He made seat for her on the wind
, ward side of the big fire. When sh,
had seated herself she looked up il
great contentment to ask if he wa
not going to sit down beside her. TIL,
. brown coat the high black hat, ant
the big eyes of Whispering Smith hat
, already become part of her menta
store. She saw that he seemed pre-
occupied, and sought to draw him GU
Of his abstraction.
81 am SO glad you and Mr.. McClou,
: are getting acquainted with Cousil
! Lance" she said. "And do you min,
my giving you a confidence, MI
f Smith? Lance has been so unreason
: able about this matter of the rail
l roads coming up the valley and pow
wowing SO much with lawyers an,
ranchers that he has been forgetting
| about everything at home. He is s.