Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-09-03

louSel-a nttle-Dut they are not big
and they are beautifully modelled"
He looked at the girl of the forest
Bpeculatively. 81 am wondering how
you would look in conventional dress"
do you mean She hesitated.
I'D look like a gawk in one of those
low necked OUTFITS. I'd never dare
and those tight skirts would sure Grip
pie me-"
"Oh, no, they wouldn't. You'd have
to modify your stride a little, but
you'd negotiate it. You're equal to
anything"
you're making fun of mep'
"No, I'm not. I'm in earnest. You're
the kind of American girl that can go
anywhere and do anything. My sis
tiers would mortgage their share of
the golden streets for your Astounding
health-and so would L"
"YOu are all right now" she smiled.
"You don't look or talk as you did"
Its this sunlight" He lifted a
spread hand as if to clutch and hold
something "I feel it soaking into me
like some magical oil. No more mop
ing and whining for me. I've proved
that hardship is good for me-"
Don't crow till you're out of the
woods. It's long ride down the hill
and going down is harder on the ten
derfoot than going up"
I'm no longer q tenderfoot. All
need is another trip like this with you
and shall be master trailer"
All this was very sweet to her, and
though she knew they should be going
she fingered. Childishly reckless Of the
sinking sun, she played with the wild
flowers at her side and listened to his
voice In complete content He was
right. The hour was too beautiful to
be shortened, although she saw no
reason why others equally delightful
might not come to them both. He was
more of the lover than he had ever
been before, that she knew, and in the
light of his eyes all that was not girl
ish and charming melted away. She
forgot her heavy shoes, her rough
hands and sun tanned face and listen
ed with wondering joy and pride to his
words, which were of fnenesS SIcn
as she had never heard SpOken-Onl%
books contained such unusual and uH-
quisite phrases.
A cloud passing across the sun fUnG
down shadow of portentous chill and
darkness. She started to her feet with
startled recollection Of the place and
the hour.
1--WE must be going-at once" she
commanded
''Not yet" he pleaded. ITS only
cloud. The sun is coming out again.
have perfect confidence in your wood
craft. Why not spend another night
on the trail? 1t may be our last trip
| together"
He tempted her strongly, so frank
and boyish and lovabe were his glances
and his words. But she was vaguely
afraid of herself, and though the long
ride at the moment seemed hard and
dull the thought of her mother waiting
decided her action.
mo, nor' she responded firmly. 1--WE
! have wasted too much time already
We must ride"
He looked up at her with challenging
! glance. Suppose | refuse-suppose |
decide to stay here?"
Upon her as he talked a sweet hes
itation fell, a dream which held more
of happiness than she had ever known
1T is a long, hard ride" she thought.
"and another night on the trail will
not matter" And so the moments
passed on velvet feet, and still she lin
gered, reluctant to break the spell.
Suddenly into their idyllic browse of
content, so sweet, so youthful and so
pure of heart, broke the sound of q
horses hurrying, clashing steel shod
feet, and, looking up, Berrie saw a
mounted man coming down the noun
tain side with furious, reckless haste.
1T is Cliffr' she cried out. He's
on our trailv' And into her face came
a look of alarm. Her lips paled her
eyes widened. Hes mad-he's dam
gerOus! Leave him to me-" she added.
There was something so sinister in
the riders disregard of stone and tree
and pace, something 50 menacing in
the forward thrust of his body, that
Berrie was able to divine his wrath
and was smitten into irreSolution, all
her hardy, boyish self reliance swal-
lowed up In the weakness of the wom-
an. She forgot the pistol at her belt
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 ne braeed himself for the
attack
Leaving his saddle with one flying
leap, which the cowboy practices at
play, Belden hurled himself upon his
rival with the fury of panther.
The slender youth went down before
the big rancher as though struck by a
catapult, and the force of his fall
against the stony earth stunned him so
that he lay beneath his enemy as help
less as Il child.
Beluen snarled between his teeth, II
told you I'd kill you, and | willw
But this was not to be. Berea sud
denly recovered her native force. With
n cry Of pain, of anger, she flung her
self on the maddened mans back. Her
hands encircled his neck like a collar
of bronze.
LET go!" she commanded, with dead
ly intensity. Let go or I'll choke the
life out of you! Let go, | sayw