Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1912-12-12
cosyr.ss, 1911 ., Dvas--ls-ran cs-.--.
Mahoned Ride AIons.


men. In their ears the slither Of thu
brittle paim-lcavss against one an
other and the crackle OF the FIRE we're
no longer sounds. They stared az
Fortune with that speechless wonder
OF men who had come Unexpectedly
upon a wrath. What with the faint
glow OF the FIRE upon one side Of her
and the pallor OF moonshine upon the
other. she did indeed resemble mans
conception Of the spiritual.
Ryanne was first TO pull himself to-
Eether.
Fortune. 7 an sorry: God knows
am. I'd have cut out my tongue
rather than have hurt you thought
you were asleep IN the tent"
"Is e true?"
Yes" Ryanne looked away.
Il had not quite expected this: the
daughter OF thief"
"Oh. come now: don't look az n
that way. Smuggling Is altogether .
different thing" protested Ryanne.
CWomen were uncertain: here she
was. apparently the least agitated Of
the three) why, hundreds OF MN
and women who regularly 90 20
church. think nothing Of beating
Uncle Sam out Of a few dollars. Here's
Jones. for instance; he would have
tried 20 smuggle IN that rug. Isn't
that right. jones' p"
"Of coursei' cried George eagerly,
though scarcely knowing what he
] said. I'D have done Il"
And you wouldn't call Percival q
/ thief" with forced laugh. It's Ike
this. Fortune. Uncle Sam wants al
/ together too much rakeoh. He doesn't
/ give US a square deal; and so we even
only one feeling. loeen. biting, bitter
shame. At length he stopped in front
OF George. who smiled and looked up
I expectantly.
Jones. when you stick your finger
into water and withdraw IL. what hap
pens7 Nothing. Well. the man who
! gives me a benefit Is sticking his
| finger into water. I'm Just as uns
stable. How many promises have
made and broxeni I mean. promise .
70 myself ! don't know This mo-
| ment swear 10 be good. and along
comes pack OF cards or a bottle ot
! wine. and back 7 ulip Would Il DO
worth while 20 trust a man so damned
weak as that2 Look at me. I am six
foot two. normally a hundred and
eighty pounds. no fat. I am as sound
as a cocoanut. There isn't boxer IN
the States I'm afraid OF. I can ride,
shoot, fence. fight; there isn't a game
7 can't take a creditable hand in. So
much for that There's the other side
Morally. I'm putty. When it's soft you
can mold Il any which way; when ia
hard. IL crumbles. VIII you trust .
man like that?"
Eyes. Out there you'll be away
from temptation"
Perhaps. Well. ] accept. And 4
one day I'm missing. think kindly Of
, the poor devil OF an Outcast who want
) ed to be good and couldn't be. In
tagged. I'm going 20 turn IA. Good
night"
p He picked up his blanket and saddle
bags and made his bed a dozen yard
3 away.
George set his gaze at the FIRE. nov
falling IN places and showing incan
% descent holes. A month ago, in tn
rut OF commonplace. moving round II
oiled grooves OF mediocrity. Bang
Ike a rocket. Why. never had thOs
liars in the smoke-rooms recounte'
anything half so wild and strange a
this adventure. Smugglers. card
sharps. an ancient rug. a caravan 4
. the DESERT He turned his head an
| looked long and earnestly at the httl
tent. Love. too: love that had pu
= into his dif1dent heart the thrill an
courage Of a Bayard. Lovei He sa'
her again as she stepped down froT
the carriage; IN the dining-room az hi
side. leaning over the parapet; ine
fably sweet, hauntingly sad. Woul
she accept the refuge be had offered
He knew that old Mortimer woul
take her without question Would sh
accept the shelter OF that kindly root
She musti II she refused and wer
her own way into the world. he woul
y lose her for ever. She must accept
a He would plead with all the eloquenC
- OF his soul, for his own happiness, an
mayhap hers. He rose. faced n
tent. and, with a gesture not unlk
= that OF the pagan IN prayer. registers
Z a vow that never should she want u
~ protection. never should she want II
L the comforts OF life How he vi
going 10 keep such a vow was a cue
a ton that did not enter his head. Som
Sol how be was going TO accomplish Il
~ feat.
B. What mattered the ragged beal
;. upon his face. the ragged clothes upc
u; his body. the tattered cloths upon b
r feet. the grotesqus attitude and e
20 semble1 The Lord OF Life saw In