The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1913-01-02
fears to uncover his ideals before un-
aympathetjc eyes.

lmpatiently, "you'e 40 disappointing.
with yonr schoolboy platitudes.'
He made no answer: the quick red
rushed to his face And why should
she interest herself IN his Ideals: A
long. troubled silence fell between
them.
john she said suddenly was it
necessary for you to crlticise and quar-.
rel with my father?"
a. did not criticisp him." he respond
ed quickly. "and there is no quarrel
that am aware Of. We merely diff
fercd in opinion on n business matter
each believing he was right"
''Will you tell me why you think him
wrongy"
He found his lips sealed. II haven't
criticised him." he said gravely. "and
can't begin now, especially to his
daughter"
The afternoon was spoiled. Into her
face had come look almost Of hard.
ness. like the swift shadow of a cloud
over the fields on sunny day. the
absence Of which had given her the
sweet. frank girlishness. What had he
to do with this girl to whom luxury
was a matter Of course? Why did her
Impotence with his ideals trouble
him?
''Let us go home" she said.
They went to the horses. From the
beginning Crusader behaved badly.
"Be careful" he cautioned her. as
they turned into the public road.
"That horse wants to bolt"
II told you he lacks common sense
sometimes" she laughed.
As though to Illustrate this saying
Crusader now begin series Of short.
cramped plunges, rearing and tossing
violently to loosen the steel thing that
cut into his mouth.
She brought her crop stingingly
down on the horses TANKS Crusader
broke her grip on the reins, took the
bit between his teeth and. head low
cred, raced madly down the hill.
John did not stop to consider the USE
lessness of risking his own life too
His arm rose and fell continuously as
he tried to beat more speed into his
horse to close the rapidly widening gap
between him and the flying Crusader.
A turn Of the road took her out of his
sight. Thereafter to the end Of the
mad chase she was always just beyond
the next turn. He was not a good
Rider, and the wonder was that as he
swung at top speed around the curves
In the snaky road he was not unseated
ughtning's legs doubled and stretched
with rapidity never before and never
again attained in his placid life. but to
John the space between the pounding
staccato hoof beats seemed endless
The blood throbbed heavily in his tenn
pies, at every turn he closed his eyes,
fearing to see a still, broken figure be-
fore him. Yet to him just then life
meant to find-what he must find.
By a miracle the descent was accom-
plished without mishap. The road ran
on level for. a few hundred yards.
then began long gradual climb Of the
next hill. Lightning's steps Jagged.
At a turn in the road just below the
crest he came upon the painting Cru
sader standing with head meekly low
cred. Seated on the roadside was
Katherine coolly putting up her hair
Lightning stopped OF his own accord
Johns blood rushed to his heart. 1eav-
ing his face very white
He climbed weakly from the saddle
and threw. himself down beside her.
cit was glorious while it lasted" she
said
"Gl0rious!' he stammered.
"Oh, was frightened toow She held
out hand 1t was shaking like an au-
tumn leaf from which the sap has be-.
gun to <recede. But you look worse
scared than felt What did you think
while it was happenings"
He stared at her in queer. dazed
fashion. "1-I am trying to think what
I was thinking"
But he kneW-he knew!
She looked at him curiously. and then
she, too, knew. The knowledge did not
displease her. She rose suddenly.
As he was leaving her at her home
she said impulsively: John, I'm sorry
I was so nasty about your mfsunder-
standing with father. Won't you tell
me what 1t is about his business you
dislike? Perhaps If had your point Of
View
But he shook his head.