The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-08-06

ments. They were safest here.
The morning rides continued. To
the girl, who loved the open, II was
glorious run. Those mad gallops
along the roads. the smell OF earth
and sea. the Jingle In the blood, were
the second best moments OF her day.
The first? She invariably blushed
Whom she considered what these frss
best moments were. He was brave
young man. good to look at. witty,
and always cheerful. Why shouldn't
she like him? Even Jones liked him
Jones, who didn't seem 10 like any
body. II did not matter whether II
was wise or not: a worldly point OF
view was farthest from her youthful
thoughts. II was her own affair; her
own heart.
Five days later. as she and the rid
ing master were cantering along the
road, enjoying every bit OF IT,. they
heard the beat OF hoofs behind. They
drew up and turned rider was APP
preaching them at a run. II was the
head groom. The man stopped his
horse in cloud OF dust
Sir. the stables are on fret"
Fire."
AL thC iiNihS udSlci
were invested In the stables. The
fact that he had solemnly promised
never to leave Florence alone and
that he had accepted generous
bonus slipped from his mind at the
thought OF fire, terrible word TO any
horseman. He wheeled and started
on at breakneck speed. his head
groom gathering behind him.
Florence naturally wondered which
OF two courses to pursue: follow
them, or continue the ride and save
at least one horse from the terror OF
seeing flames. She chose the latter.
But she did not ride with the earlier
zest. She felt depressed. She loved
horses. and the thought Of them dy-
ing In those wooden stables was hor-
rifying.
The fire. however, proved to be in
cipient. But IL was plainly incen-
diary. Some one had set fire to II
with purpose In view. Norton rec
ognized this fact almost as soon as
the flremen. He had come this morn
ing with the idea of surprising Flor
ence. He was going out on horseback
to join her.
His spine grew suddenly cold. A
trap! She had been left alone on the
road He ran over TO the garage,
secured q 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 seen
cry passed unobserved. She was
deeply engrossed with her thoughts,
some Of which were happy and some
OF which were sad. If only her father
could be with her she would be the
happiest girl alive.
She was brought our or ner revery
by the sight Of man staggering
along the road ahead Of her. Finally
he plunged upon his face In the road.
Like the tender-hearted girl she was.
she stopped, dismounted, and ran to
the fallen man to give him aid. She
suddenly found her wrists clasped In
two hands like iron. The man rose
to his feet. smiling evilly. She strug-
gled wildly but futilely.
Better be sensible" he said. Il
am stronger than you are. And don't
wish to hurt you. Walk on ahead or
me. II will be utterly useless to
scream or cry>~out. You can see for
yourself that we are In deserted
part Of the road. II you will promise
to act sensibly I shan't lay q hand on
you. Do you see that hut yonder.
near the fork In the roadf Well stop
there. Now, march,"
She dropped her handkerchief, lat
er 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 had not returned with the
riding master, would Immediately
start out In pursuit. She was begin
ming to grow very fond Of Jones. who
never spoke unless spoken to. who