Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1915-10-07

Wayland took her hand. I've
never seen such hands. They
are like steel and yet they are femi-
nine"
She drew her hands away. Pm
shamed of my hands-they are so big
md rough and dingy."
They're brown. OF course. and cal
loused-a little-but they are not big
M they are beautifully modelled"
lie looked Mt the girl OF the forest
;peculatively. 81 am wondering how
,ou would look in conventional dress.
do you mean She hesitated.
I'll look like a gawk in one of those
ow necked outfits. I'd never dare
md those tight skirts would sure Grip
pie me"
"Oh. no. they wouldn't. You'd have
go modify your stride little, but
you'd negotiate ii. You're equal to
anything"
You're making fun of me-.
NO. I'm not. I'm in earnest You're
he kind of American girl that can go
anywhere and do anything. My sis
ess would mortgage their share OF
nc golden streets for your Astounding
nealth-and so would l.
You are all right now" she smiled.
Nou don't look or talk as you did"
ITS this sunlight He lifted a
p-ead hand as If to clutch and hold
omething Il feel it soaking into me
re some magical oil No more mop
ag and whining for me. I've proved
hat hardship is good for me.
Don't crow till you're out of the
woods. It's a long ride down the hill
nd going down is harder on the ten
crf0ot than going up"
I'm no longer tenderfoot All
ecd is another trip like this with you
ld | shall be a master trailer"
IN this was very sweet 10 her. and
hough she knew they should be going
he fingered. Childishly reckless of the
mixing sun, she played with the wild
overs at her side and listened TO his
Dice in complete content He was
ight The hour was too beautiful TO
m shortened although she saw no
night not come to them both. He was
more OF the lover than he had ever
leen before. that she knew. and in the
ght OF his eyes all that was not girl
a and charming melted away She
forgot her heavy shoes. her rough
hands and sun tanned face and listen
"a with wondering JOY and pride TO his
words. which were of a ineness such
AS she had never heard spoken-only
lDolis contained such unusual and ex-
uisite phrases.
\ cloud passing across the sun flung
lown shadow of portentous chill and
darkness. She started TO her feet with
startled recollection OF the place and
he hour.
we must be going-at oncer' she
commanded
Not yet" he pleaded. It's only
cloud. The sun is coming out again.
have perfect confidence in your wood
craft Why not spend another night
on the trail: IL may he our last trip
fogether."
lie tempted her strongly. SO frank
and boyish and lovable were his glanccs
ind his words. Bur she was vaguely
afraid Of herself. and though the long
| ride at the moment seemed hard aud
! dull the thought Of her mother waiting
decided her action.
No. no. she responded firmly. I'VE
nave wasted too much time already.
We must ride"
lie looked up at her with challenging
glance. suppose | refuse-suppose
lecide 10 stay hereF''
Upon her as he talked sweet hes
tation fell. a dream which held more
II happiness than she had ever known.
IL is Il long hard ride" she thought.
and another night on the trail will
got matter" Aud SO the moments
passed on velvet feet. and still she lin
;'rcd reluctant to break the spell
suddenly into their idyllic browse or
pnient. 80 sweet. 50 youthful and so
Ufc " heart. broke the sound OF a
horses hurrying clashing steel shod
feet. and, looking up, Berrie saw
mounted man coming down the noun
ain side with furious. reckless haste.
1t Is Cliff she cried out Hes
IA our trail!' And into her face came
look OF alarm. Her lips palcd: her
eyes widened. Hes mad-he's dan
gcrOus. Leave him TO me-. she added
There was something so sinister In
he riders disregard OF stone and tree
md pace. something 80 menacing In
ne forward thrust OF his body. that
Herrie was able To divine his wrath
and was Smitten into irre~olution. all
her hardy. Doyish self reliance swat
owed up In the weakness of the WON
m. She forgot the pistol at Der bell
and awaited the assault with rigid
pose.
As Belden neared them Norcross also
perceived that the riders face was dis
torted with passion and that his glance
was not directed upon Berrie. but upon
himself. and he brnced himself Tor the
attack
Leaving his saddle with one flying
1eap. which the cowboy practices at
| play. Belden hurled himself upon his
rival with the fury of Il panther.
The slender youth went down before
the big rancher rs though struck by n
cataput. and the force OF his fan
against the stony earth stunned him SO