The Detroit times., 1912-08-15
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Cattle In the CANYON.

Hunched over, with lSoDeIS neau
sheltered against his breast, Philip
rode a dozen PAGES behind the agent
II seemed as II the sun had suddenly
burst In molten fire upon the back OF
his neck, and for q time II made him
dizzy. His bride reins hung loosely
over the pommel He made no effort
to guide his horse. which followed
after Billinger's.
II was Billinger who brought him
back to himself. The agent waited
for them, and when he swung over In
one lstirrup to look at the girl 1t was
the animal aferocity In his face, and
not his words. that aroused Philip.
She's coming to-" he said, straining
to keep the tremble out Of his voice.
Il don't belisEa- shs's much hurt. You.
take this canteen. I'm going ahead.
He gave Philip. The water and.
leaned over again to- gize-into. the
girls face .E
Il don't believe she's much hurt,
he repeated in hoarse, dry whisper.
"You can leave her ut the water hole
Just beyond that hill of thsre-and
then YOU can follow me.
Philip clutchcd the girl tighter 70
him as the agent rode of. He saw
the first faint flush returning into her
cheeks, the reddening of her lips. the
gentle tremor OF her silken lashes,
and forgetful OF all else bnt her. he
moaned her name, cried out his love
for her, again and again. even as her
eyes opened and she stared up into
the face of the man who had come to
her first at Lac Balm, and who had.
fought for her there. For a breath or
two the wonder of this thing chat. was
, happening held her speeches. and
still lifeless. though her senses were
adjusting themselves with lightning
swiftness. At first Philip had not
seen her open eyes, and he believed
that she did not hear the words OF
love he whispered in her hair When
he raised her face little from his
breast she was looking al him with
all the sweet sanity in the world.
moment there was silence--a sill.
ence of even the breath of Philips
body. the beating of his heart His
arms loCsened a little. He drew him
self up Eigid. and the girl lifted her
head a trihe, so that their eyes met
squarely, and world Of question and
understanding passed between them
in an instant.
AS swift as morning glow a flush
mounted into Isobels face, then ebbed
as swiftly, and Philip cried: you
were hurt-hurt back there in the
wreck. But you're safe now. The
train was wrecked by outlaws. We
came out after them, and IL found
you--back there on the prairie. You're
safe now"
His arms frightened about her again
You're all right now" he repeated
gently. He was not conscious OF the
sobbing break In his voice. or OF the
great, throbbing love that II breathed
20 her. He tried TO speak calmly.
There's nothing wrong-nothing The
heat made you sick. But you're all
right now
From beyond the hill there came a
sound that made him break of with
sudden, quick breath. II was the
sharp, singing report of Billinger's
carbinel Once. twice. three times.
and then there followed more distant
shots
He's come up with them!" he
cried. The fury OF fight, OF desire for
vengeance, blazed anew in his face.
There was pain In the grip OF HIS arm
about the girl do you feel strong
strong enough TO ride fast?" he asked.
There's only one man with me, and
there are i've OF them. It's murder
10 let him fight II alone!"
"Yes-yes--" whispered the girl.
her arms tightening round him. Ride
fast--or put me of. I can follow
IL was the FIRST time that he had
heard her voice since that last even.
ing up, at Lac Balm. many months be.
sore. and the sound OF II thrilled him.
Hold Tight. he breathed.
Like the wind they swept across
he prairie and up the slope OF the
hill At the top Philip refined In
Three or four hundred yards distant
ny thick cfump Of poplar trees and
thousand yards beyond that the irst
black escarpments OF the Bad Lands.
In the space between horseman was
gallopinf iercely 70 the west II was
not billinger. With quick move.