The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1913-10-24
ON THE LONG
TRAIL
Strange Things Hap
pened There
By CLARISSA MACKIE

ing to sentiment that Beth herself de-
spised, but she could not help it when
she came to the crossroads.
The long trail had been her favorite
ride with Miles Hill, but that hand
some cowpuncher had ceased to call
upon Miss Cushman.
From the trail she could look down
into little canyon through the middle
of which rushed a frolicsome stream.
On the bank of the Stream there stood
a horse and rider. girl on a cream
colored pony.
Beth drew jealous breath, for she
could see that the girl was lovely in
a blond, golden haired. pink and white
way.
AS she gazed down there, the white
pony Tipped the stream and, out from
the rocks of the canyon. there dashed
a horse and rider. 1t was Miles Hill,
riding black Poncho. Beth caught her
breath as the man rode rapidly to-
ward the girl, bent swiftly to kiss her
and, with his arm around her slender
waist, the two forded the stream and
rode rapidly up the canyon and disap-
peared from view.
Entirely heartsick, but with brave
smile on her lips, Beth sat down to
supper that night.
Her uncle, a morose, taciturn man,
ate silently and swiftly, and rising,
went away on some official errand, for
he was sheriff of the county.
Mrs. Colt and her two daughters
breathed a little easier after his de-
parture and began to talk to the two
cowboys who ate with the family.
PA hasn't said anything, but
reckon he's off on that Tinkerman
case" observed Mrs. Colt.
81 reckon he is returned Link Pat
erson, buttering another biscuit
"Some one said Miles Hill had dis
appeared from the range" went on
Mrs. Colt. with a side glance at her
niece.
Jameson limited that Miles was
mixed up in the Tinkerman raid" put
in Louise Colt eagerly.
Jameson better try again. There
amt squarer fellow nowhere than
Miles HILL" muttered Link.
where is Miles. then?" demanded
Cora.
miles? Why. can't say exactly.
It's sort of a secret, you know. ma'am."
Link grew very red and looked at
Beth's pathetic face.
Beth lifted her head haughtily. Her
eyes flashed splendidly.
II don't know why his whereabouts |
should be a secret" she said nervily. !
Il saw him today"
"Oh. you did?' queried Link, reliev-
ed, and Sammy Smith asked quickly:
81 reckon it twant far from Little
canyon. Miss Beth"
1T was right there. He was riding /
with a girl. Il very pretty girl" said
Beth bravely.
There was nothing more said con-
corning Miles Hill. and after supper
Beth went to her room and rested her
weary head on the sill. letting the cool,
sweet air caress her flushed cheeks and
dry the tears on her lashes.
Link and Sammy rode away. and
from the overcrowded bunk house
came talk and laughter and song as
the cowboys prepared themselves for
some merrymaking in the town. five
miles distant
After they. too. had clattered away
and Sam Soy had ceased to rattle
dishes in the kitchen silence fell on
the ranch house and its inhabitants.
From the veranda below Beth caught
the drift of voices now and then
the confusion of other sounds.
but after it grew very still the voices
came up sharply penetrating.
II think your pa was too severe with
Miles HILL" said Mrs. Colt He sure
was plumb set after Beth. and it
showed he was honorable to speak to
Henry about it first"
miles isn't poorer than any other
around here. and plenty
Of them marry and SETTLE down"
agreed Cora, who was fond of her lit
lie cousin.
u heard him tell pa that If he'd name
he sum he thought be ought to have
before he asked Beth to marry him he
aid he would have It," put in Louise.
How much did pa tell Miles he
must raisef" asked Cora.
Five hundred dollars" laughed
.ouise. II heard poor Miles telling
lin 1t would take him a whole year
o do that out of his pay and then his
.lothes would be so shabby Beth
look at him by that timer
what did pa say TO thaty"
"He Just laughed. and then Miles got
angry and said he'd show him n thou
'and dollars before he'd ask him. and
be went of in a rage. and | haven't
zen him since"
Beth. poor child. said she saw him
With another girl" worried kind Mrs.
'olt
Its a shame cried Louise. "Tn
Inst scold IN Colt when ! get hold of
him See " ! don't"
Rpih Withdrew from the window and
-r,' o., iI,-i Thr-e was q singing in
pep nrg-; hp,7uSc Miles IIiU had loved
.rr whatever his wandering heart
vas duing how. lie had asked her
lu 's for her hand. and Uncle Henry
nd -aftsnd huf thara vvas n measure