Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-03-05
CHAPTER G-Cantinusd.

And ! am going riding TOMORROW
Z nine IL b morning. and II you feel
30 inclined you may ride with me-
she Informed him al the close Of their
preliminary chat. He thought Il over
Tor 4 moment as he held the wire. Il
seemed 10 Be an assured fact that
the enemy vas far away. It certainly
Wa too bad to keep an active girl
like Doris shut up in the house any
longer when she craved the open air.
and II certainly would be z delight TO
again go galloping at her side Any
way be would have his revolver handy
and nothing could get near them By
daylight without being rddlsd, there
tore
And II you won't come with ne I
viii go alone" she threatened in the
midst Of his m~etitations as she be
came tired Of awaiting his answer.
OF course that settled Il.
Il am only too eager TO accompany
you"
Indeed, can imagine your eager.
ness from the impetBous way in which
you accepted the invitation. Why, /
did not walt over Ave minutes before
reminding you that I vas still listen
ing II woke you up. l apologize
7 was not sleeping. | was merely
thinking. Somehow ! cannot think
much and talk at the same time as
some people seem to b. able 10 DO.
Lucky for them they can though
otherwise they would not think much"
he added with q grin. But the attempt.
ed sarcasm was evidently lost on
Doris for her laugh came tinkiing over
chs wire.
Nov | wonder whom you can mean
oy that, for goodness knows I never
utter q ~~ord-ercept when / happen
70 think OF something I want to say.
Then I may expect you to call at nine
In the morning."
You may"
Very well will tell you the rest
OF the gossip that / have picked up
oysr the phone then."s And With that
ehs rang OF abruptly as she usually
did when she had had her say and left
aim TO pursue the Affairs Of business.
Promptly at the hour appointed the
nert day he rode single footing up 20
the block before her house. Mounted
on q handsome chestnut horse With
four white stockings. riding splendid
~ Doris admitted 10 hersel. that she
vas proud u his appearance as be dis
mounted and took her bride reins as
she swung herself into the saddle. for
Doris was Of the west where all wom-
en- who ride horses at all are wise
enough TO ride them aztride. Then
with a clatter Of hoofs they were OF
down the road galloping side by eide,
yazrant wisps Of the girls shining
hair swapping in the breeze Ike tiny
pennants. her parted lips showing the
tips OF her even white teeth, her eyes
Frightening with the swift coursing OF
her blood. her spirits efervsscing, "a.
diant. happy once more. And March
seeing all thig sighed the sigh OF an
srdent lover as his thoughts few on 20
we'll. To whence do every ardent
lovers thoughts take fight when he
rides by the side Of her who inspired
them
Close beside them the mountains
grim and vast lowered Up 20 steep
that a mountain sheep would have had
~ choose his way With c~are-Titanic
walls thrown W In prehistoric ages
70 mark the end Of the dominion Of ,
the plain and the beginning Of the
land Of snow-clad peaks and abysEmal
sorges. Above them the marvellous
sky stretched into inhnity. unmarried
by speck visible 70 the human eye.
upon their head the rsys OF the gun
fell warmly, but the air vas crisp and
sparkling. sweet 10 the pose and lungs,
In Yigorating. eEhilerating. Miles be.
hind them lay the peaceful city, silent
Ia the Sunday morning save for the
faint tolllng Of bells. 1t was q day,
aH hour and a place 10 make one
cingie with the JOY Of wholesome ex-
ercise. the sweetness Of youth and
health. the gladness Of living. Doris
laugh. low and c~ontented. was seldom
xtiii
They bad ridden rapidly in a round