Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-01-17

in"
When they were riding slowly for
ward, allowing the horses to pick their
way along the trail, Roger turned his
head and resumed conversation with
his unseen companion.
You're afraid of this place. aren't
you, TeddyT'
There was a 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 spirits?" /
Yes: TO shame myself for being
afraid" was Teddy's crisp reply. (
Roger laughed with unconcealed ad-
miration. You're a plucky kid" he
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 or
whether he was large or small. So far
his companion was merely voice.
How old are you, Teddy?" he asked
suddenly. (
No answer.
How old are you, Teddy, ladT re-
peated Roger good humoredly, not
that he 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
1t was paternal
! Joprf baIiavo NJ TuJ,to.t~ ~,o,,tI
have sent you to meet me If he had
known how-how impertinent you
were going to be-" said Teddy Bedford
calmly.
"Impertinent wowr' Roger was
| plainly disguised. 81 beg your pardon,
Mr.. Teddy Belford," he ended sarcastic
cally.
Mr. Teddy Belfordr' repeated Bel
fords kid Indignantly as they emery
! ed from the gloom of the pass into
/ the open plain where the trail lay
white under the rays of a rising moon.
Before Roger could turn around and
look at his companion he heard the
I swish-sh of quirt through the air and
Buckskin shot forward like a rocket.
he-little-dev-devilv' painted Rog-
er as he realized that Buckskin was
having things his own mad way.
Mile after mile they pounded over
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 Belford, and he did not care.
Roger sawed away at Buckskin's OBJ
stinate mouth without result. He re-
allied that the horse was growing
tired, and If the beast could escape
stepping into a prairie dogs hole or
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 crumbling
sand hillock. For an instant he lay
there GREATNESS and bruised watching
Buckskin's form waiting YEARLY near
/ by.
"You old skyrocketr he breathed at
last.
Then another horse doomed into the
moonlight, was turned loose to nip at
the grass and a slender form hurried
to Roger Webb's side and knelt down
Roger saw that the newcomer wore
skirts, and his dizziness increased
"Oh, Mr.. Webb, am so sorry! do
hope you're not hurt" cried the girl
in the voice of Belford's kid. q.
I'm all right" said the dazed cow
boy, struggling to a sitting posture.
"But where did you come from?"
why, L 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 should not have
struck your horse. 1 am so ashamed,
and 1 beg your pardon" she ended,
with dangerous quaver in her voice
Are you Teddy BelfordF" demanded
Roger.
Eyes; Theodore Belford. My friends
call me Teddy. Father and Boss -Clin-
took call me kid. 1 don't mind from
them" she concluded.
"Of course not" said the chagrined
Roger. "Only, you see, nobody told
me you were girl-and thought you
were a boy! The apologies are on my
side"
"Well, we've got a whole lifetime to
apologize to each other in," laughed
| Teddy BelfOrd as she leaped into her
saddle unassisted. "But let's not waste
any time over that. really think we
are quits, Mr.. Webb. L am afraid to
think what a narrow escape you had.
1t would have been my fault IT,
Il wouldn't have missed 1t for any
thing" said Roger sincerely, thinking
| OF her cool hand on his forehead.
I'VE will be late for supper" said
Teddy hurriedly.
As they rode home through the moon
light Roger decided that he would buy
the ranch next to Belford's place. ct
will be handy for her to run over and
see her folks-after we are married"
he said to himself.
OF this decision, Of course. Teddy
Belford knew nothing until after they
became engaged.