The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-05

natter whsther II was wiss or not; . worldly
point IT view wee farthsse from her youthful
thoughts. It was her own affair: her own
heart
Five days lahss, - che and the riding mas-
ter were cantsring aloag tie road. enjoying
evszy bit Of II, they heard the beat Of boots
bshand They drew up and turned. A rider
was spproaching them at . run. It was the
hsad groom. The man stopped Ais hosss in .
closd Of dust
sir, the stables are on Arsl"
.Ths3"
An ths riding masters savins, wore In
vested In the stables. The fact that be had
soasnn1y promised never to leave Florence
alone and that he had accepted . generous
bonus slipped from Liz mind at the thought
Of fire, terrible word to any horssman. He
wheeled and started on ct brsaknsck speed.
his bead groom gathering behind him.
Florence naturally wondered which Of two
courses to pursue: follow them. when she
would Be- perfectly helpless TO aid them, or
continue the ride and save at least one horse
from the terror Of seeding flames She chose
the latter. But she did not ride with the
earlier ssst. She fslt depressed. She lovei
horses. and the thought Of them dying in those
wooden stables was Terrifying.
Tho fire, however, proved to b. incipient.
But it W1s plainly incendiary. Sons one had
set FIRE to it with q purpose in view. Norton
recognized this fact almost soon - the Are-
men. He had come this morning with the idea
Of surprising Florence. He -as going out ON
horseback to Join her.
She had been left alone on the road He ran
over 10 the garage, secured . car. and went
humming out toward the river road. A trap.
and only by the sheerest luck had he turned
up In time.
Meantime Florence was walking her mount
slowly. For once the scenery passed unob-
served. She was deeply engrossed with her
thoughts, some Of which were happy and some
Of which were sad. II only her father could
be with her she would he the happiest girl
alive.
She was brought out Of her revsry BY the
sight of = man staggering along the road
ahead of her. Finally be plunged upon his
lace In the road. Like the tender hearted girl
she was. she stopped, iismounted. and ran to
the fallen man to give him aid. She suddenly
found her wrists clsspsd in two hands like
iron. The man rose to his fest. smiling evilly.
She struggled wildly but futilely.
% Better be sensible" he said II am
stronger than you are. And don't wish to
hurt you. Walk on ahead Of me. It win b
utterly useless to scream or cry out. You
can zee for yourself that We are In deserted
part of the road. If you will promise to act
sensibly shan't lay 4 hand on you. Do you
zee that hut yonder, near the fork in the rosj?
Wen stop there. Now, y,arch!"
She dropped her Handkerchief, later her
bracelet, and finally her crop, in hope that
these slight clews might bring her help She
knew that Jones would hear Of the fire, and.
finding that she ha~ not returned with the
riding master, would Immediately start out in
pursuit. She was beginning to grow very
fond Of Jones, who never spoke unless spoken
TO- who was always At hand, faithful and
loyal
From aiar came the low rumble Of q motor.
She wondered IL her captor hsarj It, He did.
but his ears tricked him into believing that 1t
came from another direction. Eventually they
arrived at the hut and Florence was forced
to enter. The man locked the door and waited
outside for the automobile which he was ex-
pecting He was rather dumfounded when he
saw that it was coming fror, the city, mot
going toward It.
1t was Norton. The ridcrless horse told
him enough; the handkerchief and bracelet
and crop led him straight for the hut.
The man before the mt realised by this
time that he had made . mistake. He At
tempted to RENTER he hut and prepare to
defend 1t till his companions hove in sight
But Florence, recognising Norton. held the
door with all her strength. The man snarled
and turned upon Norton, only to receive =
smashing blow on the Jaw.
Norton nuns open the door. Into the car.
Florence! There's smother car coming up
the road. Hurry!"
It was not long chase. The car Of the
auto bandits. looking like an ordinary taxicab.
was . high power machine; and Il GAINED
swiftly On Norton's fou--cylinder. The re-
porter waited grimly.
Keep your head DOWN." b warned Flor
ence. :" I'm going to take pot It their tire,
when they get within range. II mia. I'm
afraid well have trouble. Under no circum-
stances attempt to leave thu car Here th.v