The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1912-09-06

born and bred In the west. she was
timid. gentle little thing and not at all
In keeping with the big. broad. open
air life OF the plains. What she need
ed was the quiet Of sheltered home
In a country village. and now that her
father had married again Marjorie
sometimes yearned for shady village
streets and the close community OF
village life.
She bid her face Id her slender
brown hands and shuddered at the
fate that would surely overtake Dick
Henderson II he rode unwarned
through the canyon that night. Then
swift blush flushed her cheek and
left her deadly pale again. She re-
membered that Dick would not ride
through the canyon that night and
probably never again. because he
would cease coming to Sugar Creek
ranch. There was momentary relief
In the thought of bis freedom from
danger. but then she realized that he
must be warned. II Harrison did not
get" his enemy tonight he would to.
morrow night or at the first opportunl.
ty. Somebody must warn Dick not to go
near Slantlng pass because Of the muir
derous intention of Harry Harrison.
Who could warn Die X except her
self?
Quietly Marjorie's gray shadow de-
tached itself from the rocky hack
ground of Slanting pass. and she walk.
ed cautiously toward the entrance.
pausing there to glance around the
open plain before she followed the
trail along Sugar creek to her home
The journey she had to make mt night
fall would require horse. 1t was If
teen miles to the q. X. ranch. and she
must go there II she wanted to catch
Dick Henderson and warn him.
1t was easy to slip AWAY from the
house after the early supper. for Mar
jorie's father was in Bison City anC
her stepmother was entertaining Wis
itor from Cheyenne. and the girls alb
sence would not be noticed for severn
hours. as she spent much time In hel
own room.
She saddled her own pony and lee
him silently to little grove Of cot
tonwoods beyond the corral. Their
abe slipped OF her riding skirt and be
CO me slim boyish figure in corduroy
breeches tucked into high boots.
handkerchief was knotted about he
throat, and broad brimmed hat was
pulled down over her hair. quite con
cealing it. In the semidarkness Of thu
twilight grove she LOOKED like boy
but her cheeks burned with modes
shame ut her masquerade costume.
Marjorie waited until darkness hat
fallen completely, and then because
she was u timid little thing and he
heart kept pounding away mt ever.
Nocturnal sound that sm0te the air sh
tried to bolster her courage by think
ing Of Dick Henderson what big
splendid fellow he was and how. II
were not for her warning. he might b.
stricken down and never open his darl
eyes again, those dark eyes that ha,
looked love MT her only last night.
Now. 1t was not only the darkness
that terrified Marjorie's heart an
c,sused it to hutter wildly. Somehow
thu very thought Of Dick Henderson
sent her into a delicious chaos OF IN
certainty. Only one thought hammer
ed through her brain-She wished sh
had not sent Dick away
The sure footed pony had found tn
trail to Slanting pass and was thud
ding along at an even ghit. Now the
had enterxd the black gloom Of the en-
trance. an9 the intelligent animal pick
ed his way carefully and noiselessl
down into the canyons depths. a
though Marjorie knew that II Harr
son was lying in wait for Dick sh
was running a great risk In ridin
through there. A bullet intended 70
Henderson, might blot der own life. bu
she did not care. 1t would save Die
her Dick. There. she admitted It
herself now. he would always be her
whether one or both Of them died.
Suddenly n sound ahead smote he
heart to stop beating. It was the nois
Of a horses hoofs picking Its way eau
tiously among the rocks. 1t must b
Harrison.
"who are your" dema nded Marjori
in as deep tones as she could assume.
There was no answer. but she coul
hear the ride approaching and pres
emily she knew that they must be clos
together for her pony refused to g
on.
"Who are you?" she repeated In he
natural voice this time.
Marjorie. what are you doing here?
demanded Dick Fenderson's blesse
voice. His hands CROPPED out an
found her trembling little ones tryin
to stay the raining tears
"What Is It, little girl?'' he asked ten
derby.
Marjorie told him between relieve
sobs and he patted her shoulder In
way that was entirely too brotherl
to be In accord with Marjorie's enlight
ened state Of mind.
"You did this for me to save m
Mfe?" he asked In amaZement. why
Marjorie. dear. you kno " you are a
timid as a rabbit You are scared t
death of the dark-why. what
l OTln ro,,,o a xvo - hoforo that II a r,.l So