The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1915-12-11
WHITE BLOSSOM
ey NEvA WINIFREp TIspELL

their leader, who had caught sight OF
the dainty but color-fiaring red sweat
er that Madge wore. In an instant the
drove was in a stampede. Madge dis
cerned her danger. She was light
footed, but with an apprehensive
glance behind her she saw hat long
before she reached the fence the mad
dened animals would have overtaken
her.
"Help!" she screamed In urgent ter
ror. as she made put a figure lining
the fence nea the gate.
1t was Doctor Drury. Agile. alarmed
at the deadly peril of the defenseless
girl, he had vaulted the fence In an
instant. He was at her side. picking
up q stray long handled shovel that
lay In his path az he ran.
For the gate-do not delay q mo
ment!" he gasped breathlessly.
She obeyed him, he was glad of
that. Now he nerved for the newt
able conflict. She was fast gaining
safety-the rest did not matter to him.
Whack! Clangi A great roaring
sullen, but fun OF meaning, and the
leader of the herd halted. That shovel
blade raked their horns. swept their
dripping nostrils, dazed them, brought
the hot blood streaming into their
eyes,. binding them.
They pressed upon him. however.
Twice he was noored and nearly Inn
paled. Then again he was upon his
feet and then his one weapon-brokei
n was all up with him, he fancied.
but then he was lifted up by q
bronzed powerful arm and two min
utes later found himself over the gate.
safe, his rescuer, a half-breed, who
sat in his saddle grim. unmoved. with
a glad gentle light In his savage eyes.
You, Neetahl painted Drury, recog-
nizing the a
1T is WELL" said the other with sim
pie dignity. Il pay a little of what |
owe. See-White Blossom. she is
sick"
Madge was seated. pale and sway
ing. on a hummock. Drury hurried to
her side. He supported her gently,
with the words:
IL ID AIl over.
Il feared-for you'll" she fiuttered,
and then. as he helped her along the
road, both became more composed and
natural.
He had o seen her since. but the
memory of her sweet grateful smile
her time between the town and some
relations thirty miles away. He hoped
to meet her again. 1t was the theme
of his thoughts day and night.
Neetah was his great friend. When
the young doctor had first settled at
Moosehead, the half-breed had come
to town to report his wife dangerously
I'll at their cabin, twenty miles away.
None of the other physicians would
go. Drury obeyed a human impulse
and won the undying fealty Of Neetah.
After that Neetah. whenever he came
to town, would bring honey. skins,
wild fruits. always a gift from his
grateful wife.
One night the doctor was aroused
by a sharp summons at his ONCE door.
He opened 1t to confront Neetah. ter
ribly excited.
"You love White Blossom" bluntly
burst forth the Indian. Il a v her
for you"
What does this meant" murmured
the astounded Drury.
Then Neetah became voluble. He
had discovered young Leighton and a
group of his outlaw familiars discuss
ing a raid on the ranchhouse where
Madge vas alone. Leighton was bent
on bearing her away, an unwilling
bride. Neetah detoured. He had
come upon Madge alone on the steps
of the house. He had made no expla-
nation. He had caught her up and
despite her struggles had brought her
here.
You will be her Ghetto fight
away Leighton" spoke Neetah, and
Madge blushed. and Drury blessed the
timely incident that made him her
protector.
Mounted ON horses. with Neetah
armed to the teeth, q trusty guard.
they rode not to the ranchhouse. but
to Moosehead. There Drury placed
the imperiled girl in the hands Of her
friends.
How he cherished those hours of
the twenty-mile jaunt. each moment
giving them a closer acquaintance!
Before 1t had ended. Madge knew that
the blunt declaration Of Neetah as to
the estimation in which she had been
held by the young physician was true.
mo more ranch risk" pronounced
her father decisively. the next day.
You will be safer at home. my dear.
Look in on the folks while l am away.
Doctor Drury. will your although do
not think that daring Leighton will
trouble us again."
II Leighton meditated 1t. he waited
too long, for within q month Madge
and the young doctor were engaged
and half q yea later they were man