The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1914-04-17

that the girl who rode it had seen.
She sat moveless, her head high,
one hand on the hunters foam-fecked
neck and their glances met like
crossed swords. The look stirred
something vague and deep within him.
For an unforgettable instant their
eyes held each other, in a gaze rigid,
challenging, almost defiant; then it
broke and she turned to the rest Of
the party squirting in galloping zig
gag: a genial-faced man of middle age
in khaki who sat his horse like a
cavalryman, a younger one with a
reckless dark face and straight black
hair, and following these a half-dozen
youthful riders of both sexes, one Of
the lads heavily plastered with mud
from a wet cropper and the girls
chiefly gasps and giggles.
The elder Of the two men pulled up
beside the leader, his astonished eyes
sweeping the house-front. with its
open blinds, the wisr of smoke curling
from the kitchen chimney. He said
something to her, and she nodded.
The younger man, meanwhile, had
flung himself from his horse, wild
eyed roam, and with his arm thrust
through it's bride, strobe forward
among the welter of hounds. where
they scurried at fault, hither and
thither, yelping and eager
What rotten luck!" he exclaimed.
Gone to ground after twelve miles!
After him, Tawny! You mongrels!
Do you imagine he's up a tree? After
him, Bulger! Bring him here!"
He glanced up, and for the first time
saw the figure in tweeds looking on.
Valiant was attracted by his face, its
dash and generosity everything its in
herent profligacy and weakness. Dark
as the girl was light, his features had
the same delicate chiseling, the in
breeding, nobility and indulgence Of
generations. He stared moment,
and the somewhat supercilious look
travelled over the gazer, from dusty
boots to waving brown hair.
"Oh!" he said. His view slowly
took in the evidences of occupation.
''The house is open, see. Going to
get it fit for occupancy. presumed"
YES"
The other turned. well Judge
Chalmers, what do you think Of that?
The unexpected has happened at last"
He looked at the porch. who's to
occupy it?"
"The owner"
Wonders will never cease!" said
the young man easily, struggling.
We'll, our quarry is here somewhere.
From the way the dogs act should
say he's bolted into the house. With
your permission I'll take one Of them
in and see." He stopped and snapped
q leash on dog-collar.
I'm really very sorry" said Valiant,
"but I'm living in it at present"
The edge Of smile lifted the care
fully trained mustache over the
others white teeth. 1t had the per
fectly courteous air of saying, "Of
course, If you say so. But"
Valiant turned, with a gesture that
included all. IF you care to dismount
and rest" he said, II shall be honored,
though I'm afraid can't offer you
such hospitality as l should WISH"
The Judge raised his broad soft hat.
Thank you, SIR he said,, With soft
accent that delightfully."- disdained the
letter e." But we mustn't intrude
any further. AS you know, of course,
the place has been uninhabited for
any number Of years, and we had no
idea it was to acquire tenant You
will overlook our riding through,
hope. I'm afraid the neighborhood
has got used to considering this sort
of no-man's land. It's pleasure to
know that the Court is to be re.
claimed, sir. Come along, Chilly" he
added. Our fox has burrow under
the house, reckon-hang the cunning
little DEVIL"
He waved his hat at the porch and
turned his horse down the path, side
by side with the golden chestnut.
After them trooped the others, horses
walking YEARLY, riders talking in low
voices, the girls turning often to send
swift bird-like glances behind them
to where the straight masculine figure
still stood with the yellow sunshine on
his face. They did not leap the wall
this time, but filed decorously through
the swinging gate to the Red Road.
Then, as they passed from view be-
hind the hedges, John Valiant heard
the younger voices break out together
like the sound of a bomb thrown into
a poultry-yard.
John Valiant stood watching till the
last rider was out of sight. There
was a warm flush Of color in his face.
At length he turned with ghost
of sigh, opened the hall door wide
and stalking a hundred yards away,
sat down on the shady grass and be-
gan to whistle, with his eyes on the
door.
Presently he was rewarded. On a
sudden, around the edge of the sill
peered sharp, suspicious little muz-
zle. Then, like fash of tawny light.
the fox broke sanctuary and shot for
the thicket.