Arizona republican., 1912-01-11

I'm sorry. I'd like 10 have you tell
me how it feels TO ride over country
like that"
But you ride, of course" the girl
insisted.
No; that is, haven't for years. you
see."
He suddenly became aware that the
girl opposite him had beautiful hair,
and a wonderful red in her cheeks.
good, healthy outdoor red.
oh, and why did you give it up?
could never do that, give up riding!"
1T wasn't easy 1t isn't easy now,
but one can't practice law and ride,
now, can they?" he appealed.
But why practice law" the girl
laughed, and then. oh, I'm sorry
said that, it sounded silly. or course
you were right. Men can't just ride,
some one has TO practice law and build
bridges. | daresay the world wouldn't
go very far if men only rode horses"
Striving frowned. II don't know"
he went on, half to himself. I'm not
so sure it makes much difference"
The girl looked out the window
1T is pretty country, isn't it?" she
asked, land we rarely draw 4 blank.
We're not very smart perhaps, but we
have a nice little club. and one really
does have TO ride TO get over the fences
about here. And then, too, we don't
have such large crowds out and that's
rather nice Everybody knows every
body else, and we ride our own lines"
The train was running more slowly.
Both were conscious OF il. Striving
looked at the girl and smiled little
disappointedly. She seemed TO under
stand
Il get OFF here. I'm awfully sorry.
| wish you were going with us" AnG
then she laughed spontaneously. But
it's good you're not. You never could
have ridden Darlington Brook there
by the fallen tree
Il could" said Striving doggedly
and the girl laughed again.
The brakes ground on the wheels
The train slowed up and stopped be
fore a tiny station. Just around the
corner Striving had vague idea ht
caught sight Of scarlet coat. The
girl got up and put out her hand.
I'm sorry" she said again. that
you can't be with us.
Striving took the gloved hand an6
shook it vigorously. IL was not so yer.
large. but it was quite firm and stron;
and responded.
Good luckI"
He followed her 10 the end Of the
car.
We're strangers" he went on. u
won't be seen speaking to you. Your
friends might not understand"
Again came the delicious ripping
laugh.
1T wasn't exactly according to the
rules. was it, but" she held out her
hand again, 'Good-byei"
Striving watched her disappear
around the corner of the station with 4
greater feeling of regret than he could
understand.
''Jove." he muttered. "Jove. I'll be-
she can ride, too. | haven't seen a girl
like her for years"
He sprang down the steps and
walked to the end OF the platform. The
conductor and the engineer were talk
ing heatedly with the telegraph oDer-
Evidently they were being held UP TO
let some faster train by. No doubt he
had a minute or two. He walked to-
ward the corner of the station. What
luck, There they were, the pack Just
coming down the road, and dozen
men and women nearby. some mount
ed, others tightening girths and fuss
ing with stirrup feathers. She was
there. too, on a big-boned thorough
bred gray. He looked as if he could
gallop. Striving thought, and the girl
sat as If only fall could bring her out
of the saddle. His breath came rap
idly as hounds drew near and his
heart pounded as 1t hadn't done for
years. The girl turned and saw him.
He thought he could see the half twin
kle in her eyes that he had noticed on
The train, but she looked swiftly away
again. He was afraid she was offended,
perhaps he shouldn't have come, it
seemed like following her He hoped
she wouldn't think him so unsports-
manlike, he really hadn't intended ii
like that. He wished he could tell her
so. Some day he would, he deter
mined
Hounds were drawing close now. fol-
lowing after the Master. They were a
well-drafted looking lot, and the horse,
too. the Master rode was good to look
upon. Striving stared There was
something very familiar about the way
the Master stuck out his feet and kept
whistling all the time he rode. Striv-
ing thought he could almost catch the
tune. He did at last, and stared
harder than ever. Why it was Jerry
himself, Jerry of the old days. They
recognized each other simultaneously,
and the Master gave great shout that
put the hounds into an ecstacy OF fren-
zied delight. Striving sprang forward
down the road TO meet the spured
horse and the two mems hands clasped.
The others watched in wonder, no one
had ever seen Jerry Riker show enthu-
slasm before for anything but horses
and hounds.
Splendid" he cried, you've been
coming for over five years, but it's all
right so you've come at last"
Striving shook his head.
Cant. I'm on my way to New
York to try a case in the Court of APP