The Mena weekly star., 1912-03-21
CHAPTER II.

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 1t 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 a
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 a splendid
gallop and the somewhat tired horses
readily subsidized into a walk, how |
hate to go back and leave you"
And you can't think how loath l am
to have you return" the girl flashed
out at him with a sidelong glance from
her bright blue eyes and a witching
smile from her scarlet lips.
Enid Maitland" said the man,
you know | just worship you. I'd
like to sweep you oft of your saddle,
lift you to the bow OF mine and ride
away with you. can't keep my hands
of 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 OF her guard
she could make no resistance, indeed
she scarcely knew what TO expect I'M
I'll he crushed her to him and kissed
her, almost roughly. full on the lips.
How dare you," cried the girl. her
face afiame, freeing herself at last,
and swinging her own horse almost to
the edge of the road which here ran
on an excavation some fifty feet above
the river.
How dare r. laughed the auda-
cious man. apparently no whit
abashed by her indignation. when
think OF my opportunity 1 am amazed
at my moderation"
Your opportunity; pour modera-
TOM"
yes, when l had you helpless I
took but one kiss: might have held
you longer and taken a hundred"
And by what right did you take
that oneT' haughtily demanded the
outraged young woman. looking at
him beneath level brows while the
color slowly receded from her face.
She had never been kissed by a man
other than blood relation In her
life-remember. suspicious reader,
that she was from Philadelphia.-and
she resented this sudden and anau-
thorized caress with every atom and
instinct of her still somewhat conven-
tional being.
But aren't you half way engaged to
me?" he pleaded in Justification, see
ing the unwonted seriousness with
which she had received his impudent
advance. Didn't you agree to give
me a ehance?"
Il did say that / liked you very
much" she admitted, mo man better.
and that 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 a conquest be-
fore you had won me. will thank
you not to do that again, SIR"
1T seems to have had a very diff
rerent effect upon you than 1t does
upon me- replied the man cooily. 7
loved you before, but now, since I
have kissed you. worship you"
1T hasn't affected me that way" re-
torted the girl promptly, her face still
frowninS and indignant. mot at all.
and"
Forgive me, Enid pleaded the
other. Il just couldn't help It, You
We're so beautiful had to. took the
chance. You are not accustomed TO
our ways"
rs this your habit In your love AZ
fairs?" asked the girl swiftly and not
without spice Of feminine malice.
i never had any love affair be-
FORE" he replied with ready mascu-
line mendacity. at least none worth
mentioning. But you see this is the
west; we have gained what We have
oy demanding every inch that nature
offers, and then claiming the all.
Ihat's the way We play the game out
mere and that's the way we win"
But | have not yet learned to play
the game as you call #, by any such
rules" returned the young woman de-
terminedly, 'and II is not the way to
win me II am the stake"
What is the wayY~ asked the man
4h1lously. SHOW me and III take Il
no matter what its difficulty"
An, for me 70 point out the way
would be 10 play traitor 70 myself.
she answered. relenting and relaxing
AtLe before his devoted WooinE
fon must find Il without assistance,
can only tell sou one thing
AND what e. thaty'
foa Dc uoz advance toward TIE
fp'n ~ such actions az those 81 q
moment sIneeH
tsok here said the other audaen
q em unt ashamed 81 p.tat ! did
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