Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-08-20

graceful movement left the back ol
the cream horse and dropped lightly
into the saddle Of vicious little bron
cho which had been led to the ring.
The ring was cleared instantly. and
Callicoon was alone with the beast hI
was expected to conquer.
For an instant they stood motion
less-the grizzled broncho and the darl
eyed. keen faced man, his lean brown
hand gripping the bride.
The broncho rolled REDEEMED eye
and neighed shrilly. His head wen
between his fore legs; his heels few up
Callicoon'S knees gripped the wiry
little shoulders. The man seemed par
of the beast. The battle was on. anG
the onlookers watched breathlessly
Which would win?
There was a thunder of applause as
Callicoon rode away on his conquered
animal, and it was Bess' turn to go on
Her act was 4 thrilling one. The beau
tiful daughter OF Il rancher is pursued
by Indians ION the plains and is finally
rescued by cowboy. The daring rid,
ers on the fleet footed ponies always
drew applause from the crowd.
Bessie felt dizzy as she rode into the
tent. Her pony leaped forward at the
word of command and raced around
the grassy track Behind her half
dozen Indians on sweating horses
streamed after her. whooping madly
and waving tomahawks. Twice around
the track was the course and then the
rescuing cowboy would enter the
chase.
Thump. thump. thump, went the
hoofs on the turf. Bessie looked be.
hind her at the painted Indians ap-
preaching so near. She felt, with
thrill of terror, that she was losing
her nerve. Once as Il little child she
had been Mortified ut the sight of an
Indian raid. mock invasion Of Red
Brick by band of drunken Apaches,
and she felt the old terror creeping
over her now at sight of the ugly
painted faces so close behind.
Bessie glanced over her shoulder and
saw coming up the track a bay horse
with a white blazed forehead. On his
back was a cowboy in swift pursuit
of the Indians. Now was the time to
crown her act with its most daring
performance.
There was a flash of her slim, brown
clad form, and she was standing on
the saddle, her little brown pony tear
ing around the track in half craZed de-
light in the contest of speed and dar-
ing.
The Indians yelled. The gun Of the
pursuing cowpuncher barked up at the
roof of the tent and lent excitement to
the scene. Bessie turned her head
again. There was a strange familiari-
ty about that blazed sorrel horse.
Her foot slipped, the brown pony
swerved suddenly, and Bessie fell
heavily across the saddle, her foot feel
ing for the stirrup. Her need for help
was desperate now. The crowd cheer
ed wildly at what they believed to be
a new deed OF daring. The Indians
screeched madly. But underlying the
noise was the steady beating of the
sorrels hoofs. the baritone music Of
mans voice calling over and over
again: STEADY, there-just a moment!
| Steady, there, grill I'll be therew
Just when she felt herself slipping
| from the saddle. where she would fall
| under the rushing feet of the Indian
! ponies, there came the sweeping rush
! of the sorrel. A strong arm pulled her
| from the brown pony's back to safe
refuge. and Bessie Madison promptly
! tainted for the first time in her life,
| while the audience Numbered applause
at the daring rescue, not knowing that
] bnr xrritn i'm
stead of an Indian play.
Good for you, Callicoon" cried
Peterson, the manager as the new
! rider gently handed down Bessle's
unconscious form. THE girl has lost
her nerve lately. I've been going TO
advise her to take a rest Seems to be
always watching the audiences. She
is like q homesick cat There. Hufla;
| give her another dose of the ice water
That's bringing her around! I've got
to go on!''
He dashed away. and Callicoon was
left alone with Nine Hufia and Bessie
Madison. There came call for the
tight rope dancer
I'm stay with her" said the new
rider, and he picked up a fan and sal
down in Nine. Hufia's vacant seat
Bessie opened her eyes and looked
sadly at him. Then the lids dropped
and tears fell from the long lashes
and rolled down her thin cheeks.
Callicoon took out handkerchief
and gently wiped the tears away.
Don't, Phil" whispered Bessie. "Yor
are so good. 1t hurts me. | don't de
serve It."
you can't be blamed for being {
foolish little girl" growled Phil, con
tinuing to dry the tears and then t
add familiar pats to the slowly redden
ing cheek "If you're bound to stay II
the show business. Bess. I'll stay Will
you, and the ranch can go to grass
But wish you wanted to come home
"You wouldn't want such a wicked
Ill tempered wife" sobbed Bessie
"Tll take a chance" grinned Phil
SIS II the show-Or-whatY'
ITS home. Phil. dear" Whispered
the disillusioHed circus lady meekIy.
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