Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-08-11

chpmunks ran, tail up, before them. Another mill
and the msts cleared She turned for the man. IT,
had not come up. She waited When at last h,
swung into view she started and sucked in her breath
with little, half gasp. The stranger hung forward
in his saddle; his hands were not on the rens. h,
lurched like drunken man.
"Whycwhy-' she gasped, you're ill-faint-I
did not know the wound was that bad Let m. CO.
It'll"
The man raised his head. She noted how wh;te
and drawn his face appeared
We-got to get-to-camp fore the nornin'" ne
wavered and added. YEARLY. "How-much further
chr"
About five miles," she answered quietly. Then
impulsvely: Mani man you said it was on1v vo.,-
arm Why look-look---" she turned faint for n.
instant. IT'S your sde-your side"
The stranger laughed guilty. "The pesky-bulles
DIDN'T stop at the arm. Just naturally kept goin'
faint much. guess, only-it hurts-in here" and he
patted his side afectionately
Hester. with set teeth and white face, tore aparA
the shirt The gaping. jagged wound was horrible
She felt each moment that she must faint; but some
how-sornehow she kept up bravely When at last
she had bandaged the wound as best she could. the
man put hand on her head
"You're-you're brave little woman" he falt.red.
softly tenderly, unlike man; "a brave-little
woman reckon we-wel reach Chip
She nodded and helped him back into the saddle.
Another weary mile and he called 10 her.
Gust you take this lariat-and tie me tight in the
saddle. I'm gettn' sort of tired and dizzy-lke
somehow; and the trail is getting rougher and
rougher. Tie good and tight little woman"
Hester obeyed; after which they went on again,
voorhees, She wondered duly what Jim would saw.
did he but know Of this. Would he after this night
call her coward7 Perhaps he would learn of it
and-come back to her. If he only would come
back
The trail widening now They were nearing
the camp.
She turned to find him swaying in the saddle His
hair had fallen over his face; his were straight
and limp. She felt strange, unnatural fear.
Mani manW she stammered, "were almost there
almost there. Don't give up! See-down below
there-it's the camp Don't you see--it's the camp
Yearly the raised his head; he lifted tren,-
bling halfway to his lips, and then dropped
it heavily
T-guess-guess we're Just in time-little wo-
man." he wavered, unsteadily. "I-hope-Chp-
amt in danger yet"
MAN. she cried, as he groaned and topped for
ward in the saddle On the incline the ponies can
tered swiftly; the form Of the lurched gro
tesquey held only by the strainng rawhide.
Now they were in the camp and riding down the
main street a group of men suddenly appeared be-
fore her. She laughed and lurched perlously in he,
saddle A flush Of exultation came over her drov,
the color her waxen cheeks and brought tn,
words between her lips.
II brought-brought the man back" she criet
shrilly to the startled crowd "Ie wanted--to com,
to save--Chp"
confused shout arose. Men were dimly rushin
forward cries. EXPLANATIONS, cheers broke upon he
ears
"She's brought Hadley backw some one burs
out Brought him back--and tied to his horse-
And he's dead"
Some one shouldcred his way through the crow
as she reeled in the saddle
II reckon. Chip" the voice resumed, there ain
anythin' against you--now. Blamed pucky lit
woman, | take it,"
Was the who pushed forward in the crow
who addressed Ch'p-was he?
. With little she swayed in the saddle N;
9. caught her in his great, strong arms Dimy 81
b.. it to be the called Chip--and yet those
- gray eyes were Jims-her Jims
of Jimmie she sobbed, gripping her tired lit
ed arms about his big bronze neck LIANT coward
ng now Am l. Jmme'"
But the man who named Jim, and who W
SIS called Chip, said nothing; only the big unmat
ID; tears were running down his checks he kissed