The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-04-24
CHAPTER XIII.

CHAPTER XIII.
One Sunday. late In the afternoon.
found Daylight across the bay in the
Piedmont hills of Oakland. AS usual.
he was in a big motor ar. though not
his own. the guest Of saltwater Bill.
Luck's own darling. who had come
down to spend the cleanup OF the sew
enth fortune wrung from the frozen
Arctic gravel. 1t vas a merry party.
and they had made a merry day OF 1t.
circling the bay from San Francisco
around by San Jose and up to Oak
land, having been thrice arrested for
speeding. the third time. however. on
the Haywards stretch. running away
with their captor. Fearing that a tele-
phone message to arrest them had
been flashed ahead. they had turned
into the back-road through the hills.
and now. rushing in upon Oakland by
a new route, were boisterously dis
cussing what disposition they should
make of the constable.
We'll come out at Blair Park In
ten minutes" one Of the men an
nounced. Look here. saltwater.
there's a cross-road right ahead. with
lots Of gates. but it'll take us back
country into Berkeley. Then we can
come back into Oakland from the 9th.
er side. sneak across on the ferry.
and send the machine back around
tonight with the chauffeur"
But saltwater Bill failed to see
why he should not go into Oakland
by way Of Blair Park, and so decided.
The next moment, flying around a
bend, the back-road they were not
going to take appeared. Inside the
gate, leaning out from her saddle and
Just closing it. was a young woman on
a chestnut sorrel. With his first
glimpse, Daylight felt there was some
thing strangely familiar about her.
The next moment. Strengthening up In
the saddle with a movement he could
not fail to identify. she put the horse
into a gallop, riding away with her
back toward them. 1t was Dede Ma
son-he remembered what Morrison
had told him about her keeping a rid.
ing horse. and he was glad she had
not seer him in this riotous company.
Intervening trees at that moment
shut her from view, and saltwater
Bill plunged into the problem Of dis
of their constable. while Day
Rht. leaning back with closed eyes.
still seeing Dede Mason gallop of
the country road.
r On Monday morning, coming in for
dictation. he looked at her with new
interest, though he gave no sign OF
It; and the stereotyped business
passed OF in the stereotyped way. But
the following Sunday found him on a
horse himself. across the bay and rid
ing through the Piedmont hills. He
made a long day OF 1t. but no glimpse
did he catch OF Dede Mason. though
he even. took the back-road OF many
gates and rode on into Berkeley. 1t
had been q fruitless day. so far as she
was concerned; and yet not entirely
fruitless. for he had enjoyed the open
air and the horse under him to such
purpose that, on Monday. his instruc-
lions were out to the dealers to look
for the best chestnut sorrel that
money could buy. At odd times during
the week he examined numbers OF
chestnut sorrels. tried several and was
unsatisfed. 1t was not till Saturday
that he came upon Bob. Daylight
knew him for what he wanted the mo-
ment he laid eyes on him. A large
horse for q riding animal, he was none
too large for a big mar like Daylight
In splendid condition. Bob's coat II
the sunlight was a flame OF fire. his
arched neck a jewelled conf1agration
Daylight examined the name and
found 1t finer than any horses nal
be had ever seen. Also. its color was
unusual in that it was almost auburn
While he ran his fingers through II
Bob turned his head and playfull1
nuzzled Daylight's shoulder.
Saddle him up. and Ill try him.
he told the dealer. II wonder II ne!
used to spurs. No English saddle
mind. Give me a good Mexican and
curb bit-not too severe. seeing as d.
likes to rear"
Daylight superintended the prepare
tons, adjusting the curb strap ant
the stirrup length, and doing tn
~cinching. He shook his head at tn
martingale, but yielded to he dealer
advice to allow it to go on. And Bob
beyond spirited restlessness and
few playful attempts, gave no trouble
Nor in the hours riding that followed
save for some permissible c%urvetini
and prancing. did he misbehave. Day
light was delighted; the purchase wa
Immediately made: and Bob. with TIC
MO