Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-01-14

that crept along the avenue in this
Isparsely settled portion of suburban Los
Angeles seemed almost crippled. Every
thing passed it-even horse-drawn We
hicles.
And one horse in particular kept al
ways on ahead. This horse was Annette
Ilington's.
! There were four people in this car
and three of them were waiting for the
inevitable to happen. They crept on and
on--always 200 yards behind.
"Ah" exclaimed Hernandez finally. 1T
eats in"
He was quite right. Suddenly the
horse ahead swerved sharply to one side,
violently shook its head and neck
leaped frantically into the air, and then,
with a violent burst of speed, tore down
the road like fire. >
at has come" said Inez. her breath
coming quick and fast. Follow now
follow on
Hernandez. increased his speed to
twenty miles--to5J twenty-hve-but the
horse tore on before him. Annette was
riding like the swind-but she had lost
control. Her pony had the bit in his
teeth--he tore through the air like mad.
But there was no relief. Annette's
weight drove the thorny burr farther
home at every stride. 1t was madden
ing-the horse threw all reason to the
winds t@1.-. s..
Annette chung to him in frenzy of
fear. She knew horses, but she didn't
know this one.
joe in the car behind, leaped to his
feet and tried to force his way from the
car. Let me out" he cried, struggling;
81 got her into this, and I'll get her
out"
Hernandez turned to the Brute Hold
him. he commanded. And the Brute
obeyed.
Inez Castro now was on her feet.
"Look-look-look," she cried, 1.-The
horse is mad-he'll kill her-look-ah--
ah-"
1t was all over. In one final burst
of frenzy the horse had leaped high in
the air and come down on all fours, not
on the solid road, but in the ditch.
Annette was flung violently from her
steed and struck the ground with
thud. The horse, freed of his burden,
sped on--up the road-sped on.
Hernandez stopped his car Joe leaped
out and ran to Annette.
she's killed." he said.
Hernandez followed him. IF so. we
cannot help it." he returned calmly
"If she's killed. I did it. you black
guard" cried Joe, remorsefully.
Inez bent over the girl. "Shes not
dead" she said, she's very. much
alive She's only stunned" k4.,s
HernendeZ motioned to the Brute.
Garry her to the car he commanded.
And the brute again obeyeds -
Nov, SLOWLY commanded Inez of
Hernandez, until / revive the girl
They were in open country now
the community was but sparsely set
cla vii
side to side. ty
1--WE must make haste" he unused.
taking a grass, grown road to the
right, after while the alarm will be-
sent out-after while the cowpony will
return to his stable-we must take
care-ah. I have it. Here"
He stopped the car before a hodse
lit was an ordinary dwelling. There
was no sign of life about it, The
grass in the dooryard was foot high
Everything appeared unkempt. But in
the parlor window was a sign: To 1et.
furnished. Hernandez stepped into
the dooryard and peered into the win
dows
"we1l let IT, furnished-free-fo a
short time. he said
He forced the door and entered.
"An the comforts of home" he said
smiling, fetch the girl"
again, sought Annette at her hotel.
shes gone again-alone" said Mrs.
Hardin, "she would go. She's so rest
less she couldn't sit still.
Neal smiled. He was not worried.
She's. better horsewoman than ]
am a horseman,'' he said, land she's
safe"
"But-Hernandez-" faltered his
mother.
Neal laughed. This is city, moth
er." he returned, unconsciously using
Annette's argument, nothing can hap
pen to her shere I'll get a horse and
follow her-which way did she take"
"The straight road out and back-she
said" replied his mother, "she thought
maybe you might be back. You can
meet her half way possibly"
"TH meet her somewhere, never
fear" said Neal
He got saddle horse and started off
in the direction taken by Annette.
CONTINUED in Next fssue)