Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-09-06
DAILY SHORT STORIES

evluent tnot ne Inteuueu 10 wait Tor
their descent from the tree. lie took
up his position beneath the cool shade
and waited.
Anne lifted shamed face. HAS he
gone. Neal?" she asked .ieekly.
mo: he's down there waiting. Per.
haps he'll get tired after awhile qadl
go back to his pasture"
Can't you find branch for me w
SIT onT' su1uired Anne from her paer
ton. supported by Meals willing acm.e
I'm afraid not. but you can tatp
this plass-there. stand so--leanns
against the trunk and brace your feet
here. Hold tight to this G,tls branch
on either side"
Where are you going 10 stay:"
asked Anne uneasily. "l've driven you
from the only safe position. only-you
see-I couldn't''- She paused help.
lessly
'Of course you couldn't" returned
Neal easily. II shall take lower
stand-ne cdanger-he can't touch ne.
Somebody.l be after him presently. IT'S
growing late. Too bad we missed our
row on tho river"
A half hour passed IN silence. Anne
leaned wearily against the tree trunk.
her eyes dxed on the river below. Neal
most uncomforcbly astr!de OF a slen-
der branch that bent dangerously I'M
der his weight, sincerely wished that
it would not DO Nathan Fuller who
came to their rescue. That bucolic
youths contempt FOR lefty fellersS ran
killed. I'm the bosom OF. one who had been
had spent q vacation on Wyoming
ranch and learned to aride bucking
broncho.
Il suppose we couldn't mako any one
hear even If we called ever 30 loud"
suggested Anne obviously. Tiff Mr.
Fuller were only around he might
know what TO do" She voiced the
thought half consciously and 1ushed nj
Meals snort OF contempt.
MIR. Fuller. even though he has gen
ernuons OF stock raising ancestors be.
hind him. cannot change maddened
bull into lamb and lead him away
by blue ribbon. Unless the animals
attention Is attracted elsewhere or he
is captured by strategy don't see how
either Of us can get away" Neal
paused and seemed TO debate some
question within himself. lie looked
down at the bull -.
What were you going to sayT
questioned Anne 90"
Merely that might drop down tn
the beasts back and thus get him
away from your vicinity--that might
give you an opportunity TO seek ms
sistance from Mr.. Fuller--and at the
same time relieve you of my conpan-
ionship." Neal's voice was bitter az
he voiced this sentiment.
You couldn't do that--you might be
killed" protested Anne. ign6ring his
sarcasm.
At that instant something happened.
The bull lifted an ugly black head.
rolled malicious red eye and hun.
grily nipped at the dropping willow
branch where Neal snt. The flexible
limb dipped down. down. and sudden.
~ Neal lost his grip OF small twfgs
and Slid quickly down the slippery
branch. landing squareiy astride Of
Instinctively his hands graspeti tho
smooth little horns before the frlghten-
ed beast dropped his head and swung
around. AS the willow branch whip
ped upward Neal heard Aune's desper-
ately frightened cry:
''Seal Neal. Neat't Then he was
away on his mad ride. They mounted
"A rise Of ground. and she closed her
eyes and prayed.
dN not look at the field Che turned
her gaze down to the river. where n
boat fioated close under the willows.
In tho boat were Nathan Fuller and
very pretty girl. Tho girl wns speak
ing, half sobbing. then Nathan's
voice In reply: II can't help It. Lucy.
She "a good as asked me 60 tnke her
tonight It's Just city folks ways.
You know DON'T caro- about any one
but your
IF you take that girl tonight
sban't shcnk 20 you again. flashed
Lucy tearfully. she wants 10 marry
you. know she doos"'
Anne's fnce was scnrlet with u1orii-
ncntlon. Her gilly gratitude toward
Nathan Fuller because nc had saved
her lifo had nearly turned Lucys 70.
nance Into n tragedy. Anne leaned
forward ard spoke:
Mr. Ful'cr" when they had turned
startled faces Upward she tod her
story. md az Nathan hasicmed ashore
In quest II Seal she added so ,hc girl
who stared at her resentfuuy. You
Gee. ] mn engaged 20 Mr. Burton. /
an doubly nuXlous FOR his welfare"
Lucy smiled undefstandlnaly and
helped Ammo down from her perch I'm
the tree just as Nathau returned with
Neal. who llmped slightly.
Declining Nathan'e offer 20 row them
home. they stood by tho rivers brinl.
until The two iu the boat Ind disap-
pcared around the bend. Thon Neal
turned 90 Anne, standing with down