Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-03-07

uncertain swaying of the slender
figure on the high Mexican saddle
she seemed hardly more than q
child in her riding suit OF gray cor
Guroy, her hair blowing back from
her young, vivid face. Something
woke TO life at that tense moment IN
Howelrs heart, something that beat
back the anger and hurt pride at
Beth's coquetry. Putting bis spurs
TO his horse, he gained steadily on
the frightened pony, and rode along
side lust as Nita was falling. There
was no chance to check the pony. All
he could do was to catch her as she
fell. while he slipped off his own
horse. SO for a minute he held her
In his arms like a hurt child, and
wondered why she did not faint. IN
stead, she smiled up at him with The
same laughing mischief in her long
Iashed brown eyes.
I'm not hurt bit, Mr.. Howell.
You don't need to hold me any
longer"
There's sure to be nervous
shock" said Howell gravely. Are
you sure you can stand alone"
Try me-" she laughed. He lifted
her I'D TO his own saddle. The pony
had stopped q short distance away,
and was cropping grass. Aren't We
lost?" she added.
"Completely. | haven't any Idea
Of these trails, or where they lead TO.
shall hobble the horses and make
tepee OF poles. and go hunt bear.
that's the usual procedure, isn't II!
we're real trail mates now"
She smiled wlstfully.
81 am hungry. Aren't you, MIR.
Howell"
First name is Paul"
81 might have called you by 1t II
YOU had been my brother-in-law.
she rejoined demurely, slipping to the
ground.
81 intend 10 be Beth's brother.:n-
law. so you may as well start in.
He was loosening the girths on the
horse, and spoke with decision.
Mas eyes sparkled with amusement.
She seated herself on the ground, and
studied the contour Of his head. At
lis every point in man tells
It's own story. She had been in love
with Howell for days, as much III love
as she ever would be. She was not
girl like Beth, full OF sentiment. and
! fond Of admiration. The man she
loved must be good pal, comrade
true, as we'll as husband and sweet
heart. The trail was long one, she
knew, with many turnlngs. Some
how, she had thought Paul Howell
was splendidly fitted to be 4 trail
mate.
Not half an hour ago you Intended
TO he my brother-in-law," she said
naively.
You have grown up in that half
hour from little girl TO woman;
don't you realize that? ] do" He
left the horse and threw himself
down beside her. when that pony
broke away and ran with you, and
death was q possibility-Nlta. look at
mel knew that ] should follow you
to the end of the new trail no matter
where it led. And it has led us
here"
He waited for an answer. Mia
looked past him. out al the splendid
panorama OF mountains thar spread
below them The Crittenden ranch
looked like toy block house far
down in the valley. The cattle on the
broad plateau across the valley we:o
like Noahs ark animals.
She turned her head after long
pause, and smiled down at him.
Are you really making love to me,
Mr. Howell?'
II ask you to be my wife, Nita." lie
answered steadily. "Oh, | know 1t
seems queer to you eastern girls, the
swift cour,ship OF us men who have
lived out here, beating success out OF
newly opened lands. We haven't
time to serve our ladies fair, dear
heart. Some day, some hour, there
comes along the girl who is different
from all other girls in the world, and
we know her then when we see her.
Can't you understand? Beth did at
tract me- | met her up in town, and
admired her, but this IS different.
don't want pretty goddess 10 sit up
on d pedestal, and keep the dust off
| want 4 sweetheart-pal, who will
fight with ME. side by side out here
TO win out. | want girl with nerve
and pluck. and happy heart. ! just
want you."
Down the trail there there came q
long hail. The party had missed them,
and retraced its way. Howell srippe'!
both her hands in his. and helped her
to rise. They looked at each other
IN dead silence. wondering at this
miracle that had changed the world
in half an hour. Then Mia lifted her
face to his.
I'll stay with you" she said, sim