Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1913-12-11

Tony after. awhile, but I declare II
wouldn't ike to be, her pa tonight.
Jest for an hour or two"
"Yes?" asked Bert coldly. but Tony
noticed that he had stopped short and
held the ends of his tie in Doth strong
bronZed hands.
Yes. If 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 aloofy. but still he stood rigidly.
Not going to the dance; tired of
ter Drop and take Al picture OF it by
moonlight. It'll take hours to get u
picture, and it's going to rain, amt it?'
Certainly looks like it," was Bert's
brief reply, and Tony could get no 9th
er word put of him.
They o over the trail to Red Spi-
der in silence. Light clouds scudded
across the sky now and then, plotting
out the face of the full moon. In the
northwest dark clouds were piling up.
At the dance hall they separated, and.
Tony did not know that Bet Reid haA
Tipped 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 a green and cool
retreat from the dusty plains. At the
farther end. where it narrowed to a
sharp point. there fell from the rocks
above a silver rope Of sparkling wa
ter. When the moon was at the full
this was a 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 piling up toward the
zenith. Soon they would overtake the
fair moon sailing over the canyon.
He hoped that Nan Laren had chang
ed her mind and had stayed at home.
He did not intend to thrust his com
pany upon her. but he would keep
within sight of her and thus protect
her from the dangers OF the night. His
face saddened into grim lines as 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.
1t was like a stage setting, and it was
weirdly effective. Overhead the black
until there remained the noon shining
! down out of a small circle of blue sky.
The canyon was bright as day, and
. down at the extreme END was a girls
form standing on a high, jutting rock.
Near by the black pony drowsed Sleep
fly.
Bert slipped from his saddle and
down the narrow trail that led straight
to 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 a
slight cry. and the camera went crash
ing down on the stones below.
"It's only me-" cried Bert, leaping
forward to catch the falling camera.
but he was too late. for it eluded his
eager hands. He lost his balance, his
foot slipped on the tlinty rocks. and he
fell heavily and lay motionless.
For Il moment the girl stood there
as though stunned by the sudden oc-
currence. Her face was very white in
the last glimmer of moonlight. Black
clouds effaced the moon and a heavy
roll of thunder vibrated overhead.
Bert's horse neighed shrilly from the
canyon entrance, and the black pony
answered.
II am afraid" the girl whispered to
herself. n tears ran down her cheeks
as b slipped down from the high
rock and felt her way over the stones
toward the fallen man. Vivid fash
GO - i1SAlAl1uS Sulucu ueE. anu pres.
emily she had lifted his head into her
lap and was calling on him to speak
to her.
Still he lay there. u~nresponsive, and
b clasped him closely, and with a
little sob of despair she laid her cheek
to his. Then came the rain-not gen.
tie drops of a summer shower. but an
avalanche of water as if poured out Of
the heavy clouds.
The first wet dash reused Bert Reid
to consciousness. II must get to Wa.
ter Drop he said thickly. She will
be afraid there all alone.'
I'm here. Bert" said the school.
ma'am's voice. wonderfully meek and
fearful.
"Here:" he echoed, and then he be.
came aware that her arms We're in.