The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-05-21

chipmunks ran, tail up, before them. Another mile
and the msts cleared She turned for the man. He
had not come up. She waited. When at last he
swung into view she started and sucked in her breath
with little. half gasp. The stranger hung forward
IN ms saddle; his hands were not on the rens: he
lurchcd like drunken man.
Why-why-' she gasped. you're ill-faint-r
did not know the wound was that bad Let me So.
The man raised his head. She notedahow whito
and drawn his face appeared
We-got to gct-to-camp 'foro the rnornin,n he
wavered and added, weary. "How-mueh further
ehT
About five miles" she answered quietly. Thu,
impusively: Mani man! you said it was onlv vo,,r
arm. Why look-look-' she turned fam. for tb,
instaut. IT'S your side-your side"
The stranger laughed guilty. "Thc peskv-bu,,..
DIDN'T stop at the Just naturally kept gon'.
'Taint much, guess, onlyit hurts-n here and he
paticd his side affectionatcly.
Hester, with set teeth and white face tore soart
the shirt The gaping, jagged wound was horrible
She felt each that she must faint; but some
how-somchow she kept up bravely When at last
put hand on her head
"You're-youre brave little woman" he faItered
softly, tendorly, so unlike 4 man; "a brave-little
woman. L reckon we-wc1l reach Chip
She nodded aud helped him back into the saddle.
Another weary mile and he called to her:
"Just you take this lariat-and tic me tight in the
saddle I'm settln' sort OF tired and dizzy-like
ehauT. md 81, E
rougher. Tic good and tight little woman"
Hester obeycd; after which they went on again
wordless. She wondered duly what Jim would say
did he but know of this. Would hc after this night
call her a coward2 Perhaps he would learn of it
and-come back to her. II he only would come
back!
The trail was widening now They were nearing
the caup.
She turned to find him swaying in the saddle His
hair had fallen over his face his straight
and limp. She felt strange, unnatural fear.
Man! mani" she stsmmered. were almost there
almost there. Don't give upl Scc-down below
thcrc-its the camp. Don't you sec-its the camp!'
Wearily the man raised his head he lifted a trem-
bling arm halfway to his lips, and then dropped
it heavily.
"I-gucss-guess were just in time-little wo,
man. he wavcrcd, unsteadly. T-hope-Chip-
amt in danger yet"
Mani" she cried, he groaned and toppled for
ward in the saddle On the incline the ponies cam
tered swiftly; the form of the lurched gro
tcsquely held only by tho strainng rawhide.
Now they in the camp and riding down the
in 80 .zJ,,
fore her. She laughed and lurched perilousy in her
saddle. flush of cHultaton over her drove
the color to her waxen checks and brought the
words between her lips.
II brought-brought the man back" she cried
shrily to the startled crowd. HE wanted-to-c come
to savc-Chip"
a confused shout arose. Men were dmly rushing
forward; cries, exclsmatons, cheers broke uoon h.r
ears.
She's brought Hadey back" some one burst
out. Brought him back-and tied to his horse,-
And he's dcad!" t-
Some one shouldered his way through the crowd
as she reeled in the saddle
II reckon, Chip" tho voice resumed, "there amt
anythin' against you-now. Blamed pucky little
woman, | take it"
Was the who pushed forward in the crowd
who addressed Chip-was he?
With little she swaycd in the saddle A man
caught her in his great, strong arms. Dimly she
saw it 10 be the called Chip-and yet those bio
gray eyes Jim's-her Jim's.
Jimmie she scbbed gripping her tired LITTLE
arms abou, his big bronze neck "I-ain't coward
nowl Am j. Jimmic?"
But the man who was named Jim. and who was
called Chip said nothing; only the big unn,snI,
tears were running down his checks he kissed her