The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1916-06-15
CHAPTER xxvll-contlnued.


Siletz had always ridden bareback
but now, why she did not know. she
hook down Sandry's saddle and slunR
Il on Black Bolt. Poppy followed her
movements. and by the time Siletz had
put foot IN stIrrup and swung up. she
had caught up her wide skirt and
mounted. Siletz Hared around at her
and her eyes were beginning to
sparkle in face pale with rage.
Without a word they gallGped W
across the lonesome valley and took
10 what had once been a trail In the
nOddIng ferns. Now Il was but a
slight depression running amid the
blackened trunks, the endless heaps
of ashes. Poppy Ordway followed 81.
ieiz. on a chance, dare, mere haz.
ard. She did not know the danger. the
menace OF the hills.
She was saying to herself after her
snticing habit Of self-communion:
"lll have my precious packet soon
] know shall. The gods are with
ne feel t."
Once Siletz turned upon her.
Go backl" she cried fercely. some
Thing is about to happen"
You're right" said Poppy, and for
once the hardness OF her nature
showed ike a rock under waves in
eyes and voice and manner. "and IN
be in at the happening"
They spoke no more Slletz checked
Black Bolt In another mile. rose in her
stirrups and looked over the appalling
spectacle before them. over and be-
yOnd lay the tumbled hills. thick with
heavy timber, that ran into the Siletz
basin. Somewhere IN their Businesses
reared the mighty spine Of the Hog
Back with its secret trail. And some
where up behind the Hog Back was
Sandry. Calm as she was by nature.
siletz shuddered as she looked upon
the world OF fame and smoke. To
Poppy Ordway. ignorant OF its mean
Ing and its might. 1t was a splendid
pectacle.
Siletz plunged down the ridge on the
other side and the woman followed.
The shadows OF the smoke.flled val
icy grew into an uncanny twilight The
hne. light ashes made slippery going
and more than once Black Bolt slipped
10 catch his footing. catlike. They
rode ahead and entered the fire belt
itself The dusk grew denser The
heat lay Ike a tangible blanket in the
hollows and dips. Slletz urged Black
Bolt Something was calling out OF
the gray dimness-chilllng her heart,
surrying her progress.
She had ridden for a time in deep
thought when a scream from the won.
an behind drew her up with a start
She turned Just In time 20 see the big
BAY fall and go tumbling down the
mountain. With HIS rrst lu7ch he had
flung his rider out OF the saddle and
into a pile OF ashes. Il was true TO
her nature that the girl. dIsmounting.
ran. not TO the woman but down the
slope after the horse. She found him
prone and groaning in a little trench.
Ais right foreleg doubled back. the
white bone piercing the earth.
Poppy Ordway peered fearfully
down her trembling hands gathering
Aer dust covered skirts.
Come here" siletz cried. com.
manding; come herei'
II was the same voice. whimpering
with primitive rage. that had com
pelled that craven "S1ndry" from
Poppy Ordway's lips that night at the
pump. and as the woman had obeyed
then. so she oheyed now.
Silet2 rose. reaching In the blouse
Of her shirt and brought out a gun.
Poppy Ordway shrank back, white as
chalk
What do you mean'" she cried
shriIly what are you going to dog"
Horror widened her blue eyes gro.
iesluely
81 never shot a living thing in my
Bfe." said Siletz solemnly. but I've
got 20 kll him And you stand by to
Watch-its your work"
There was a sharp report that did
not echo IN the dre-deadened hills. and
the good horse closed his eyes in SUD
den peace Suetg turned away to
whore Black PoIt looked on with won
der Coosnah crouchiug beside him
IN q swit revulslon she flung the
weapon far down the mountain
She started 10 mount without
glance at the woman when the other
spoke
What am 10 do?"
"Do' I don't care what you do. Go
home. ANA hope you never reach
therel"
MY Cod" cried Poppy Ordway.
don't leave me like this! And look
Look there!"
Az aoug fhe valley by which they