Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-09-13

speak OF his love They had been
riding across the range and n at.
tempting to cross a gully. Grace's
horse had slipped and she was thrown.
| As she pitched forward Jimmie
spurred his horse. but he was too
late to save her and she struck the
/ soft earth.
| For a moment Jimmie thought that
| she was killed and he knelt beside
her, reproaching himself for not hav-
( ing shown more care in watching her
horse. Grace opened her eyes to look
into his own and 1t needed no spoken
word to tell each other that they
loved
For moment she lay In his arms.
too shaken to speak, and then shs
gently pushed him away.
Il am SO sorry. Jimmie" she said
penitently. = am so sorry that you
care. was interested in your Shake
speare at first and then-well, 1t was
too late am uncle's ward. you
know, and be would never give his
consent"
One morning the wTangler had sent
him out to bring in some horses from
the herd and long before the sun had
risen he had started out with string
of mounts to be turned into the herd
and fresh horses cut out.
AS he logged along he droned over
bits OF his favorite plays and sought
TO plan some coup whereby he might
min 20 hac nj
TO her uncle. He was well toward
the mouth of the gulch when there
came the thunder of hoof beats and
the herd dashed out There was
commotion among the horses of his
string and in an instant Jimmie
guessed the cause
It was the famous Black Devil herd
of wild horses, taking its name from
the coal black stallion that led the
band They had made a descent up
on the Blazing II herd. stampede6
the bunch and added them to their
numbers. Jimmie cut his string loose
and turned tail. His own mount was
fairly fresh. but he could not hope to
ride around the herd. On the other
hand he could drift with them and
gradually work his horse to the rear.
II would be a hard fight to pull out
from the bunch, but he believed that
he could hold his pony.
TO seek to ride through tho herd
would be suicide. and mindful OF his
old hunting days Jimmie lifted his
horse along He wanted to DC free OF
the guIch before the band caught UP
With aim
AS they swung rounG the mouth of
the gulch he was several hundred
yards In advance He gave a glance
forward and his heart stood STILL for
right ahead was a sray-habite figure
upon the big roam. II the band ever
caught Grace's horse she would prob
ably be trampled to death.
PLYING whip and spur he forced his
pony toward her and she. in her ter
ror. came galloping toward hiu. Her
horse had long since become unmRn-
ageable and as they met 1t was all he
could do to turn the roan's head to
keep pace with his pony.
ITS all right" he shouted above
the thunder of the hoofs. Keep your
head Don't be afraid"
She smiled bravely at him. but at
that moment the herd caught them.
the stallion sweeping past. and the
faster of the horses streaming on
either side. Jimmie longed to take a
shot at the stallion, but with Grace to
look after he dared not.
"HIek your stirrup." he shouted. Il
am going to take you over here"
Slowly she slipped her feet from
the stirrups and nodded to him. She
could not trust her voice. Even his
clear, ringing tones seemed faint and
far away.
Lean over" he shouted "Now!"
and. as he released the roan's Bride
and the horse shot forward. he caught
her by the waist and swung her to
his saddle
Doubly weighted his pony dropped
back rapidly and presently they were
clear OF the herd There was a sharp
fight for mastery, but Jimmie won
and presently the little pony was can.
tering slowly at right angles to the
herd. now rapidly disappearing in the
distance.
Jimmie smiled down into the girls
face.
Il guess it's all over" he cried
cheerfuily. but you il have to get ar.
other saddle norse"
Wasn't Il awful?' she shuddered.
Il thought we shoald both be killed. =
Jimmie" she said softly.
| You may speak to uncle II you
want to. If he says no.. I'm going to
marry you anyway"
You don't have to marry me be.
cause | helped you out of soraps. "
he protested wistfully.
Its not because you saved my
lie" she protested. IT'S because you
are so strong and hrave-and lovable. -
And she stopped and kissed the tanned
face.