The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-02-27

bet. Remember what | told you
about that? BY Jove. you shan't ride
any more IL you can't behave. I'll
take your horse away"
The color was back in the girls
cheeks. She laughed.
Laugh, you'll see, I'll do it." The
Master shook his heavy crop at her.
Striving stood frowning. The girl
put her hand on his arm
Don't mind him, he's always cross
like that when he finds I'm all right.
It's just because he's scared--isn't it,
Jerry?" She laughed again. Jerry,
this gentleman pulled me out of Bah
bington Brook. We rode it. she spoke
a trife proudly; athat is, he rode il
and followed him where the fallen
tree is.''
"What?" Jarry's month hung open.
You, too! Well. III be d"
The Masters horse put out his nose
and the girl stroked it.
The mare got over clear, but Sports.
man jumped short with me and we
went in up to our necks He," she In
dicated Striving, dove In after me.
You'd better thank him, Jerry, IL you
care"
Jerry stuck out his hand.
Fancy you, John, riding the Brook
after all these years. There's no use
trying to thank you about Jane, she's
all I've got in the world you know, ex-
cept that thoroughbred mare you were
on and two half-bred hunters"
A ripple Of laughter followed.
Il didn't know you were married,
Jerry
Striving stared down the road.
The girl looked up puzzled
Married." the Master seemed dis.
tressed at the thought. Heaven for
fend!"
Striving looked up at him quickly.
and then at the girl.
And you're not going to be?"
"Never!" There was no doubling the
Masters decision. 1t was convincing
to say the least.
The girl was beginning to under
stand and turned her head away Her
shoulders shook and she watched
Striving out of the corner Of her half
closed eyes. Striving gave up In de-
spair
Then who. demand to know, is
this young lady described as Jane, who
says she loves you, and who, you de-
clare, is all you have in the world?'
Jerry put his hand over his mouth
and guffawed.
That young person" he cried, point
ing, is my sister. and il she gets into
any more trouble Pm going to take
her home and spank her. though why
you didn't know seems too stupid to
me for"
He jerked his reins sharply. His
horse was nibbling impatiently at the
toe of his boot. The girl turned and
controlled her laughter
And this gentleman, Jerry, may
be properly introduced, since he saved
my life and carried me in his arms for
miller"
Eth? You don't know, either? Well,
| an, hanged"
Then the Master, standing up in his
stirrups, grew Sarcastically funny.
ALLOW me, Miss Riker, Mr.. Striv-
ing. Mr.. Striving Miss Riker. | dare
say you haze both changed You
haven't seen each other since you used
to slide down our cellar door together
in the old town house.
The girl and the man looked at each
other
janet" Striving said, and his voice
was little husky.
joint" The girl did not laugh.
Jane, do you remember the chap
that came between US, and"
The girl looked up at the Master.
Cut along, Jerry, quick, and get the
trap I'm going to drive John to the
station. We can make the two o'clock
IL we hurry
Jerry looked at them both, per-
picked. We'll, I'm hanged" he MUIR
INJURED to himself, and cantered brisk
ly down the road.
Striving took off his coat and put It
over the others shoulders In spite OF
protest She was shivering. He took
both her hands in his.
You won't be angry, will you?" she
asked. "Of course, you must get there
in time"
Angry, of course not-not with you.
Why, think of 1t, | might not have
seen you at all"
The girl looked away.
Perhaps" she hesitated, as IL 1t
were difficult to say, perhaps you'll
come again and hunt some day"
Striving Frightened.
"Of course"
He did not release her hands.
The Master was coming down the
road leading a shaggy farm horse at.
tached to rickety buggy.
Hello he shouted, Jump In, YOU
two, and drive hard. You can make
1t. Jane, you've got high fever, your
cheeks are red as noopies.''
The girl and Striving glanced at
each other, then at the Master, and
laughed happily.
Obi the latter intoned knowingly,
II see!"
The girl sprang into the vehicle,
picked up the whip and the lines.
Striving followed quickly The horse
started and the Master rode alongside.
Goodbye" he said; "daresay you
won't be back now for another five
years?'
The girl shot look at Striving
swiftly. Their eyes met and he smiled.
"To-morrow's Sunday, you know.
rather thought might stop off on my
way To-"
The Master regarded his sister and
Striving with an expression of resig-
nation and pulled up his horse
abruptly.
He was left in cloud of dust on
the side OF the road.