Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-03-08
CHAPTER xxvlI-contlnued.


Siletz had always ridden bareback,
but now, why she did not know, she
took down Sandry's saddle and slung
It on Black Bolt. Poppy followed her
movements, and by the time Siletz had
put foot IN stirrup and swung up. she
had cauyht up her wide skirt and
mountsf. Siletz flared around at her
and ner eyes were beginning to
sparkle in face pale with rage.
Without a word they gallcped w
across the lonesome valley and took
to what had once been a trail in the
nodding ferns. Now it was but a
slight depression running amid the
blackened trunks, the endless heaps
Of ashes. Poppy Ordway followed 81
letz, 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
enticing habit Of self-communion;
IN have my precious packet soon.
| know ! shall. The gods are with
me. ! feel it,"
Once Siletz turned upon her.
go back!" she cried fercely, some
thing is about to happen"
You're right" said Poppy, and for
once the hardness of her nature
showed like rock under waves in
eyes and Toice anu manner, "and I'll
be in at the happening"
They spoke no more. Siletz checked
RIarlr poIf II, apotbor mile 1850 ~, HOY
stirrups and looked over the appalling
spectacle before them. over ana 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 flame and smoke. To
Poppy Ordway. ignorant of its mean
ing and its might, it was a splendid
spectacle.
Siletz plunged down the ridge on the
other side and the woman followed.
The shadows of the smoke-filled val
ley grew into an uncanny twilight. The
fine, light ashes made slippery going
and more than once Black Bolt slipped
to catch his footing, catlike. They
rode ahead and entered the fire belt
itself. The dusk grew denser. The
heat lay like tangible blanket in the
hollows and dips. Siletz urged Black
Bolt. Something was calling out OF
the gray dimness-chilling her heart
hurrying her progress.
She had ridden for time in deer
thought when a scream from the WON
an behind drew her up with a start
She turned just in time to see the big
bay fall and go tumbling down the
mountain. With his first lurch he had
flung his rider out of the saddle and
into pile of ashes. 1t 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 grooming in a little trench
his right foreleg doubled back, the
white bone piercing the earth.
Poppy Ordway peered fearfully
down. her trembling hands gathering
her dust-covered skirts.
Come here!" Siletz cried, com.
manding; come here!"
1t was the same voice, whimpering
with primitive rage, that had com.
PEELED that craven "Sandry" from
Poppy Ordway's lips that night at the
pump, and as the woman had obeyed
then, so she obeyed now.
Siletz 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
shrilly, what are you going to do?''
Horror widened her blue eyes gro
tesquely.
81 never shot living thing in my
life," said Siletz solemnly, but I've
got to kill him. And you stand by to
watch-it's your work"
There was sharp report that did
not echo in the fire-deadened hills, ana
the good horse closed his eyes in sud
den peace. SiIetz turned away to
where Black Bolt looked on with won
der, Coosnah crouching beside him.
In a swift revulsion she flung the
weapon far down the mountain.
She started to mount without a
glance at the woman when the other
spoke.
What am to do?"
DO? l don't care what you do. Go
home. And l hope you never reach
there!"
MY Cod" cried Poppy Ordway,
don't leave me like this! And look!
Look therei"
All along the valley by which they