The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-03-12
Copyright, Io11. by W. q. Chapman
CHAPTER II.

The Game Played In tho Usual Way.
The road on which they advanced
into the mountains was well made
the foothills was not very deep-for
Colorado-and the ascent was gentle.
Naturally 1t wound in every direction,
following the devious course OF the
river, which it frequently crossed from
one side to the other on rude log
bridges. A brisk gallop of half mile
or so on a convenient stretch Of COM
paratively level going put the two in
the lead far ahead of the numbering
wagon and out of sight of those others
of the party who had elected to go a
horseback. There was perhaps tacit
agreement among the latter not to
break in upon this growing friendship,
or, more frankly, not to interfere In q
developing love affair.
The canon broadened here and
there at long intervals and ranch
houses were found in every clearing,
but these were few and far between
and for the most part Armstrong and
Enid Maitland rode practically alone
save for the passage Of an occasional
lumber wagon.
You can't think" began the man,
as they drew rein after splendid
gallop and the somewhat tired horses
readily subsidized into walk, how
hate to go back and leave you"
And you can't think how loath am
to have you return" the girl flashed
out at him with sidelong glance from
her bright blue eyes and witching
smile from her scarlet lips.
Enid Maitland" said the man,
you know 1 just worship you. I'd
like to sweep you out of your saddle,
lift you to the bow of mine and ride
away with you can't keep my hands
off you, l."
Before she realized what he would
be about he swerved his horse toward
her, his arm went around her sud
denly. Taken completely off her guard
she could make no resistance, indeed
she scarcely knew what to expect un.
til he crushed her to him and kissed
her, almost roughly, full on the lips.
How dare you," cried the girl, her
face af1ame, freeing herself at last
and swinging her own horse almost tc
the edge of the road which here ran
on an excavation some fifty feet above
the river.
How dare II" laughed the auda
ctous man, apparently no whit
abashed by her indignation. when
think of my opportunity I am amazed
at my moderation"
tion?"
Eyes, when 1 had you helpless
took but one kiss; might have hello
you longer and taken a hundred"
And by what right did you take
that one?' haughtily demanded the
outraged young woman, looking a
him beneath level brows while the
color slowly receded from her face
| She had never been kissed by a mar
| other than a blood relation in hel
| life-remember, suspicious reader
| that she was from Philadelphia,-ant
she resented this sudden and unau
| thorized caress with every atom ant
| instinct of her still somewhat conven
tional being.
But aren't you half way engaged tx
me?" he pleaded In justification, see
ing the unwonted seriousness witt
which she had received his 1mpuden
advance. Didn't you agree to Civ
me a CHANGER"
II did say that I liked you yer!
much" she admitted, mo man better
and that l thought that you might
'Well, then" he began.
But she would not be interrupted.
Il did not mean that you should en-
Joy all the privileges Of conquest be
fore you had won me. will thanl
you not to do that again, sir"
"It seems to have had very dit
rerent effect upon you than 1t doe
upon me-" replied the man coolly. s.
loved you before. but now, since
have kissed you, worship YOU"
'It hasn't affected me that way" re
torted the girl promptly, her face still
| frowning and indignant. Not at al
and
Forgive me, Enid" pleaded th'
other. IT just couldn't help 1t. Yo'
were SO beautiful had to. took tn
chance. You are not accustomed t.
our ways"
us this your habit In your love al
fairs?" asked the girl swiftly and no
without a spice Of feminine malice.
IT never had any love affair be
FORE" he replied with a ready mascu
line mendacity, at least none wort
mentioning: But you see this is tn
west; we have gained what We hav
by demanding every inch that natur
offers, and then claiming the al
That's the way We play the game GU
here and that's the way we win"
But I have not yet learned to pIa
the game as you call it, by any sue
r11loS % rot1,rnod thu Young Wnman dr.