Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-07-22
CHAPTER ~.
Dicksic.

OF the sun across the broad alkali val
ley, saw the smoke OF the wreck-fire
behind them. No breath of wind
stirred IT, With the stiffness of sig.
nal column II rose, thin and black,
and high In the air spread motionless.
like huge umbrella, above Smoky
creek. Reed Young had gone with an
engine to wire for re-enforcements, and
McCloud, active among tho trackmen
until the confagration spent itself,
had retired to the shade Of the hill
Reclining against rock with his
legs crossed, he had clasped his hands
behind his head and sat looking at the
iron writhing in the dying heat of the
IRE. The sound Of hoofs aroused him,
and looking below he saw q horse
woman refining up near his men at the
wreck She rode en- American horse.
thin and rangy, and the experienced
way IN which she checked him drew
him back almost to his launches But
McCloud's eyes were fixed on the slen.
der figure OF the rider Her boot
flashed in the stirrup while she spoke
to the nearest man, and her horse
stretched his neck and nosed the
brown alkaligrass that spread thinly
along the road.
TO McCloud she was something like
an apparition. He sat spellbound un.
til the tracknian indiscreetly pointed
him out, and the eyes OF the visitor,
turning his way, caught him with his
hands on the rock in an attitude OPEN
ly curious. She turned Immediately
away, but McCloud rose and started
down the hill. The horses head was
pulled up, and there were signs OF de.
parture. He quickened his steps.
Once he saw, or thought he saw. the
riders head so turned that her eyes
might have commanded one approach
Ing from his quarter; yet he could
catch no further glimpse Of her face.
A second surprise awaited him. Just
as she seemed about to ride away, she
dropped lightly from the horse to the
ground. and he saw how confident in
hgure she was. AS she began to try
her saddle.girths, McCloud attempted
greeting. She could not ignore his
hat. held rather high above his head
as he approached. but she gave him
the slightest nod in return-one that
made no attempt to explain why she
was there or where she had come
from
Pardon me- ventured McCloud,
have you lost your way"
He was Immediately conscious that
he had said the wrong thing The
expression of her eyes implied that
It was foolish to suppose she was lost,
but she only answered: Il saw the
smoke and feared the bridge was on
fire."
Something in her voice made him
almost sorry he had INTERVIEWED; il
she stood IN need CT help of any so-t
1t was not apparent, and her gaze was
confusing.
Il presume Mr.. Sinclair is here?"
she said, presently.
Il am sorry to say he is not"
He usually has charge Of the
wrecks, l think. What a dreadful
fre." she murmured, looking down the
track. Was it passenger wreck"
She turned abruptly on McCloud 70
ask the question. Her eyes were
brown, too. he saw, and doubt as.
sailed him. Was she pretty?
only a freight wreck" he an.
swered.
I thought IL there were passengers
hurt could send help from The ranch,
Were you the conductor"
Fortunately not
And 20 one was hurt"
only tramp. We are burning the
wreck TO clear the track.
From the divide 1t looked like
mountain on fire. I'm aorry Mr.. Sin
clair is not here"
why, indeed, yes, so am l."
Because know him. You are one
OF his men, presume"
Not exactly; but is there anything
can do"
."Oh. thank you, nothing, except that
the pretty bay colt he sent over TO us
has sprung his shoulder"
He will be sorry to hear it, I'm
sure"
But We ore doing everything pos
sible for him. He is going to make a
perfectly lovely horse
And whom may say the message
Is from?' Though disconnected, Nc
Cloud was regaining his wits. He felt
perfectly certain there was no dan
GER II she knew Sinclair and lived in
the mountains. but that she would
sometime find out he was not con
ouctor. When he asked his question
she appeared slightly surprised and
answered easily: Mr.. Sinclair will
Know 1t ia from Dicksie Dunning."
McCloud knew her then. Every
one knew Dicksie Dunning in the
nigh country This was Dcksie Dun.
ming Of the great Crawling stone
ranch, most widely known Of all the
mountain ranches. While his stupidity
IN not guessing her identity before
overwhelmed him. he resolved to ex.
haust the last effort TO win her inter.
est
Il don't know just when 7 shnI seo
Mr. sinclair, rs answered, gravcly,
but ne shall certainly have your
message"
A doubt seemed to steal over Dick.
sic ut the change In McCloud's man.
Nor. "Oh, pardon mel thought YOU
wore working for the company"
you are quite right. l am; but Mr.
Sinclair IL not"
Her eyebrows rose little. 81
think you are mistaken, aren't you?"