Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-08-09
Tony after awhile. but 7 declare II l
l.. a..aalaall

Jest Tor an nour or TWO.
"YcsY" asked Bert coldly. but Tony
noticed that he had stopped short and
held the ends of his tie In both strong
bronzed hands.
YES. II she was my daughter I'D
lock her up In her room tonight. What
do you suppose she's got on her mind!'
"Really it's beyond me" retorted
Bert alooily. but still he stood rigidly.
Not going to the dance: tired OF
dancing: going to ride over to the Wa
ter Drop aud take picture of 1t by
moonlight It'll take hours to get
picture. aud it's going to rain. amt it,
Certainly looks like it," was Bert's
brief reply. and Tony could get no 9th.
er word out of him.
They rode over the trail TO Red Spi-
der In silence Light clouds scudded
across the sky now and then. blotting
out the face of the fun moon. In the
northwest dark clouds were piling up.
AT the dance hall they separated. and
Tony did not know that Bert Reid had
slipped quietly downstairs again and.
mounting his horse. had plunged in the
direction OF Water Drop canyon.
Five miles over the southeast the lit
tie canyon afforded green and cool
retreat from the dusty plains AZ the
farther end. where II narrowed to
sharp point. there fell from the rocks
above 4 silver rope OF sparkling wa
ter. When the moon was at the fun
this was favorite objective point for
lovers evening rides.
As Bert rode rapidly toward the can
yon he was concerned to note that the
dark clouds were pillng up toward the
zenith Soon they would overtake the
fair moon sailing over the canyon,
He hoped that Nan I.aren had chang
ed her mind and had stayed at home.
He dld not intend 10 thrust his COM
pany upon her hnt he would keep
within sight Of her and thus protect
her from the dangers of the night. Ills
face saddcued into grim lines rs he
thought that she didn't want him near
her He couldn't understand her sud
den dislike for him. She had always
been so Kind and so sweet that he had
really cherished hopes Of winning her
for himself In that event he might
take his savings out of the bank and
buy the small ranch on Red Spider
creek. But now well. he avoided Red
Spider creek: he didn't like to see the
little ranch any longer
When he reached the mouth OF the
canyon he paused and looked within
II was like q stage setting. and II was
weirdly effective. overhead the black
clouds had gathered from all quarters
until there remained the moon shining
down out Of small circle of blue sky.
The canyon was bright as day. and
down nj the extreme end was girls
form standing on n high. jutting rock.
Near by the black pony drowsed sleep
fly.
Bert slipped from his saddle and
staked his horse Then he walked
down the narrow trail that led straight
10 the Water Drop. his eyes fixed on
the girls slender form Now he could
see beside her the black bulk OF her
camera resting on a shelf of rock. and
so absorbed was she In the taking OF
the coveted picture that she did not
hear his approaching footsteps until
he was almost upon her
Then. startled. she turned with
slight cry. and the camera went crash
Ing down on the stones below.
ats only me-" cried Bert. leaping
forward to catch the falling camera.
but he was too late for 1t cluded his
eager hands He lost his balance, his
foot slipped on the tlinty rocks. and he
fell heavily and lay motionless
For moment the girl stood there
az though stunned by the sudden &C.
currence. Her face was very white In
the last elimmer Of moonlight Black
clouds eifaced the moon. and n heavy
roll Of thunder vibrated overhead.
Bert's horse neighed shrilly from the
canyon entrance. and the black pony
answered.
81 am afraid" the girl whispered TO
herself. and tears ran down her cheeks
as she slipped down from the high
rock and felt her way over the stones
toward the fallen man. Vivid fash
es OF lightning guided her. and pres
emily she had lifted his head into her
lap and was calling on him to speak
30 her
Still he lay there. unresponsive. and
she clasped him closely. and with
little sob Of despair she laid her cheek
70 his. Then came the rain-not gen
tie drops Of summer shower. but an
avalanche OF water as II poured out OF
the heavy clouds.
The first wet dash reused Bert Reid
to consciousness II must get TO Wa
ter Drop" he said thlclsly. She will
be afraid there all alone"
"I'm here. Bert" said the school.
ma'am's voice. wonderfully meek and
fearful.
"Iiere;" he echoed. aud then he be-
came aware that her arms We're in
folding him. that with her body she
was trying 10 shield him from the
-