Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-06-20

ting away from Beauty. whose mania
was burning out his own strength with
each Shrill scream of defiance that he
sent after Cyclone. q
All at once Beauty stopped short.
whirled about and came tearing back
toward the rocks.
Despairing of reaching Cyclone, he
had remembered Dan.
He was coming back for revenge.
Dan glanced hastily around. The
canyon was too far away TO gain refuge
there before Beauty returned. The
rocks on which he stood afforded no
protection from a craZed horse. There
only remained the cottonwood trees.
The largest one sprouted among the
rocks where he stood. He climbed 1t.
Just as he reached the lower branches
the crazy horse came TO a standstill IN
derneath aud screamed shrilly up at
his escaped quarry. Then he pounded
the turf with his feet
Dan looked down and saw something
on the ground that sent the blood hack
to his heart, leaving his face white a.
death itself
4 pretty soft gray felt hat with
Spanish leather band about the crown
was trampled in the grass. A little
gray gauntlet glove lay beside II.
Those had belonged to Kitty MCKEE
son.
Where was Kitty Nickleson nowl
Sudden rage filled Dams heart. and
his hand flung around TO his hip to
draw his gun.
Aff yzfN
above his head
Dan stared upward.
On the branch over his head sat Kit
ty Nicholson herself, rather pale.
please don't shoot Beauty-yet," she
| quavered Perhaps he'll go away,
and after he is out Il distance you
! might fire-where l couldn't see him
/ fallr' A tear splashed down on Dams
upturned face. He showed the gun
/ back into his pocket
IF you don't mind telling me. I'd
like to hear how it happened" said
/ Dan practically.
So Kitty related her story In dlstolnt-
ed sentences caused by the constant VI
bration OF the tree as Beauty attack
ed II with logged persistency.
Beauty had acted queer for several
days. They had thought it was the hot
weather. Another horse had gone mad
on the ranges and had been instantly
killed by one of the line riders. But
they had not suspected anything seri-
GUS to be the matter with Beauty. who
was petted and always had the best OF
OF care.
NH,S ir,ap
for a solitary ride, and Beauty had
acted fendshly from the first He had
snapped at her once or twice as she
leaned over his neck TO pat him. as
she was accustomed 10 do, and then.
all at once, just before she reach
ed the bunch OF Cottonwoods Beauty
had suddenly reared himself and IN
seated her.
Kitty had managed to roll herself
| out OF reach of his vicious hoofs. aud
as he searched for her with his little
bloOdshot eyes she had scrambled to
& her feet and made for the cotton
woods She had climbed up somehow,
: Just escaping his first angry lunge as
= he discovered her retreat.
There she sat, watching him tram
: pie her hat and gloves into the ground.
shuddering. because she knew what
would be her own fate II she lost her
r hold on the cottonwood tree.
k 81 am SO glad you came" she ended.
$50 am l." said Dan devoutly, and
: then he added rather awkwardly, for
: he felt forcely jealous: II should not
q be surprised II some one came to res
cue us. 1 happened to see Forbes rid
r ing toward your house. He will be
/ looking for you"
"Oh. no he won't" she said conf
p IDENTITY. ''IIe was coming to say good
t by. He's going east for good"
| why" was Dams involuntary
question.
ooh, I guess he's tired OF ranch
ing" said Kitty Nicholson.
Just then Beauty made one last ef-
fort to dslodge the couple in the cot
: tonwood tree. He was partially sue
: cessful.
Kitty Nicholson lost her hold and
slipped.
= ooh. Dan. catch me?' she screamed
as she fell
Dan lifted his strong arms and
caught her easily. There was just
room for them TO stand there In that
. crotch of the tree. while his arm sup
ported her slender form. Her smooth
- cheek was dangerously near To his
= own. Her long lashes dropped over
her eyes, and her curling. sunny hair
" touched his lips His arm frightened
/" about her, and she did not seem to
object.
II was very wonderful.
~ Kitty" be whispered boldly. do
you-do you mIDdE"
Kitty's cheek-yes. the rosy cheek OF
naughty Kitty Nick closer,
" closer aud leaned against his own.
on Dan; you are such slow
V coach she muTmured.
A little later while her sweet eyes
were hidden on Dams broad shoulder.
Dams revolver spat forth a bullet that
buried itself In poor Beautys heart.
u and Dan was there 10 comfort Kitty.