The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1910-07-19

noble ouarry? Her eyes grew softer
and the lowered liz; drove away al!
| their bright mOcE2-.:.
I'm very sorl she said humbly,
but be locked 50 big and jumped so
| high that
Poor old Bill was hungry inter
rupted Givens, in qui,k defense OF the
deceased. I'VE always made him jump
for his supper in camp. He would lie
down and roll over for a piece OF
meat When he saw you he thought
he was going to get something to eat
from you"
Suddenly Joscfa's eyes opened wide.
Il might have shot your she .ex-
claimed. You ran right in between.
You risked your life to save your pet!
That was fine, Mr.. Givens like a
man who is kind to animals"
Yes: there WAS even admiration in
her gaze now After all. there was
hero rising out of the ruins Of the anti
climax. The look on GiVens' face
would have secured him high posi-
ton in the s. P. C.. A,
q always loved EN-" said he
"horses, dogs, Mexican lions, COWS, al
ligators"-
Il hate aliigators," instantly demur
red Iosefa-" crawly. muddy things"
Did l say alIigatOrs?" said Givens.
Il meant antelopes, of course"
Josefa's conscience drove her to
make further amends. She held out
her hand penitently. There was
bright, unshed drop in each Of her
eyes.
'Please forgive me-, Mr., Owens,
won't you? I'm only a girl, you know.
and I was frightened at first. I'm
very, very sorry ! shot Bill. You
don't know how ashamed | feel.
wouldn't have done it for anything"
Givens took the proffered hand He
held it for a time while he allowed the
generosity of his nature to overcome
his grief at the loss of Bill At last
It was clear that he had forgiven her.
"PleaSe don't speak of it any more,
Miss Josefa Twas enough to fright
EN- any young lady the way Bill looked.
I'll explain it all right to the boys
"Are you really sure you don't hate
me" Josefa came closer to him i'm
pulsively. Her eyes were sweet-oh,
sweet and pleading with gracious peni-
tence. 81 would hate any one who
would kill my kitten. And how dar-
ing and kind of you to risk being shot
when you tried to save him! How
very few men would have done that"
Victory wrcsted from defeat! Vaude-
vile turned into drama. Bravo, Rip |
ley Giyens.
1t was now twilight. Of course |
Miss Josefa could not be allowed to |
ride on to the ranch house alone. Civ. |
ems resaddled his pony in spite of that |
with her. Side by side they galloped |
across the smooth grass, the princess
and the man who was kind to animals. |
The prairie odors of fruitful earth and |
delicate bloom were thick and sweet |
around them. Coyotes yeIping over
there on the hill! No fear. And yet
Josefa rode closer. A little hand |
seemed to grOpe. GivenS found it
with his own The ponies kept an
even gait. The hands fingered togeth-
er and the owner Of one explained:
Il never was frightened before. but
just think how terrible il would be
to meet really wild lion. Poor Bill!
I'm so glad you came with mel"
O'Donnell was sitting on the ranch
gallery.
Hello RipT' he shouted THAT
you?"
He rode in with me-" said Josefa
Il lost my way and was late
''Much obliged" called the cattle
king. stop over, Rip. and ride to
camp in the morning"
But Givens would not He would
push on to camp There was bunch