The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1912-01-28

fordT"
Yes" came back a shaking voice.
wait for me. Teddy. III be there
in a minute"
In n few seconds he brought Buck
skin to a sCrambling halt. Where are
YOU Teddy" he asked.
Right here" was low toned reply
close beside him. That isn't Mr..
ClintOCk. is it,
NO. I'm Roger Webb. Mr.. Gin,
took was called to North Fork and
sent me instead. was to wait on the
other side of the pass for you, but
thought there was time enough to look
at piece Of property was interested
in"
When they were riding slowly for.
ward. allowing the horses to pick their
way along the trail. Roger turned bis
head and resumed conversation with
his unseen companion.
You're afraid Of this place. ares't
you. TeddyY
There was little hesitation before
the answer came CURLY:
Yes"
81 don't blame you. Were you whis
Ting I'm Afraid to Go Home In the
Dark to keep up your spirtts7.'
Yes: to shame myself for being
afraid" was Teddy's crisp reply.
Roger laughed with unconceaisd ad
miration. You're plucky kid" be
remarked
Teddy Bedford did not answer. and
Roger concluded that he was ashamed
| Of what might have been termed dis
play Of cowardice. He had no idea OF
how old Teddy Belford might be OF
whether he was large or small. So faI
bis companion was merely voice.
How old are you, TeddyT" he asked
suddenly.
No answer.
How old are you, Teddy. ladT' re
i peated Roger good humoredly. not
that be cared greatly. but the low. con
tralto voice of Belford's kid interested
him without his knowing exactly why
1t sent thrill of paternal tenderness
through his being At least he thought
it was paternal.
IL don't believe Mr.. Clintock would
have sent you to meet me IL he hat
known how-how impertinent yor
were going to be-" said Teddy Belfort
calmly.
"Impertinent - woww Roger wa:
plainly Disguised. Il beg your pardon
Mr.. Teddy Belford." he ended sarcasti
cally.
"Mr. Teddy Belfordr' repeated Bel
ford's kid Indignantly as they emerg
ed from the gloom Of the pass into
the open plain where the trail lay
white under the rays Of rising moon
Before Roger could turn around ant
look at his companion he heard the
swish.sh of a quirt through the air ane
Buckskin shot forward like rocket
"rb~ -little-dev-devilr' painted Rog
er he realized that Buckskin wa:
having things his own mad way.
Mile after mile they pounded ovel
the dry grass, away from the trail and
far to the east of the Lone Bull ranch
Roger did not know what had become
| Of Teddy Bedford, and he did not care
| He was aware that away off behind
somewhere there was faint thuddini
Of hoofs.
Roger sawed away at Buckskin's OBJ
stinate mouth without result. He re
allied that the horse was growing
tired, and II the beast could escape
stepping into a prairie dogs hole oil
did not stumble he might be brought
to reason before long.
But Buckskin stumbled. and 1t hap
pened so suddenly that Roger was toss
ed over the animals head and landed
surprised and dizzy on a crumbline
sand hilIock. For an instant he lay
there GREATNESS and bruised watching
Buckskin's form waiting YEARLY neal
by.
"You old skyroeketr' be breathed al
last
Then another horse doomed into the
moonlight. was turned loose to nip al
| the grass and slender form hurried
to Roger Webb's side and knelt down
with cool hand on bis forehead
Roger saw that the newcomer wore
skirts. and his dizziness increased.
"Oh, Mr.. Webb. am 50 sorry! I dc
hope you're not hurt!'' cried the gir
| In the voice of Belford's kid.
"I'm all right" said the dased COW
boy. struggling to a sitting posture
"But where did you come from?"
| "Why. was following you through
/ Black pass. you know and you were
rather impertinent You know you
were. You called me Teddy and kid
and all that! But I should not have
struck your horse. I am 30 ashamed
and I beg your pardon" she ended
with dangerous Quaver In her voice.
"Are you Teddy BeitordT' demanded
Roger.
"Yes; Theodora Bedford. Ny friends
call me Teddy. Father and Boss Gin
| took call me kid. I don't mind from
Them" she concluded. ~, ... ....,.s....
"Of course not" said the chagrinet
Roger. ~ "Oniy. you pee. nobody told
me you were q giri-and thought yos
were boyi The apologies are on mi