The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-01-19
XII.

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 car, though not
his own, the guest Of saltwater Bill,
Luck's W darling. who had come
down to spend the cleanup Of the sew
enth fortune wrung from the frozen
Arctic gravel. 1t was a merry party,
and they had made a merry day Of it.
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 HaywaTds stretch. running away
with their captor. Fearing that a teIe-
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 b~oisterously 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 it1l take us back.
country into Berkeley. Then we al
come back into Oakland from the 9th.
er side, sneak across on the ferry,
and send the machine back around
tpnfpbt mjth tho pbotIfFnVu,H
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 OF itom 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 wal Dede Ma
son-he remembered what Morrison
had told him about her keeping a rid
ing horse, and he was glad she had
Intervening trees at that moment
shut her from view, and saltwater
Bill plunged into the problem Of dis.
posing Of their constable. while Day
light. leaning back with closed eyes,
was still seeing Dede Mason gallop of
down the country road.
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 off in the s~tereotyped 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 II. but no glimpse
did he catch Of Dede Mason, though
he even took the back.road of many
gates and rode on into Berkeley. It
had been q fruitloss 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'
tons 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 s%orreIs, tried several and was
unsatlsfled. It was not till Saturday
that he came upon Bob. Daylight
him for what he wanted the mo
he laid eyes on him. A large
horse for a riding animal, he was nome
too large for a big mar like Daylight.
In splendid condition. Bob's coat in
he sunlight was a flame Of fire, his
neck a jewelled confiagration.
Daylight examined the name and
found It finer than any horses hair
he had ever seen. Also, its color was
unusual in that It was almost auburn.
While he ran his fingers through 1t,
Bob turned his head and playfully
Dayllght's shoulder.
Saddle him up, and I'll try him."
lie told the dealer. Il wonder II he's
used to spurs. Nc English saddle.
mind. Give me a good Mexican and a
.urb bit--not too severe, seeing as he
likes to rear"
Daylight superintendent the prepare.
ions, adjusting the curb strap and
he stirrup length, and doing the
lnching. He shook his head at the
nartingale, but yielded to the dealers
.dvice to allow 1t to go on. And Bob,
spirited restlessness and a
CIV playful attempts, gave no trouble.
Tor in the hours riding that followed.
ave for some permissible curveting
nd prancing. did he m~isbehave, Day
ight was delighted; the purchase was
Immediately made; and Bob. with rid
DC gear and personal equipment, was