The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-04-08


speare at first and then-well, it was
too late. l am uncle's ward. you
know. and he would never give his
consent"
More than once Jimmie was tempt
ed to tell her who he was and so
smooth the way, but he was born
fighter and he wanted to win on his
own merits and not on the strength
of his fathers name. so he gritted his
teeth and wondered how long 1t would
be before opportunity came.
One morning the wrangler had sent
him out to bring in some horses from
the herd and long before the sun had
risen he had started out with string
of mounts to be turned into the herd
and fresh horses cut out
AS he logged along he droned over
bits of his favorite plays and sought
to plan some coup whereby he might
win Grace's consent to his speaking
to her uncle. He was well toward
the mouth of the gulch when there
came the thunder of hoof beats and
the herd dashed out. There was a
commotion among the horses of his
string and in an instant Jimmie
guessed the cause
1t was the famous Black Devil herd
of wild horses, taking its name from
the coal black stallion that led the
band. They had made a descent up
on the Blazing H herd. stampeded
the bunch and added them to their
| numbers. Jimmie cut his string loose
and turned tail. His own mount was
fairly fresh, but he could not hope to
| ride around the herd. On the other
hand he could drift with them and
| gradually work his horse to the rear.
1t would be a hard fight to pull out
from the bunch, but he believed that
he could hold his pony
| The quirt fell across her TANKS and
the race was on. There were more
than hundred horses In the band
most of which had been stampeded by
the half dozen belonging to the orig
inal bunch. According to tradition
they had been cavalry mounts in an
Indian battle and had escaped during
a massacre. Fleeing to the hills they
had evaded recapture by the Indians
and had reverted to their primal in.
stincts, augmenting their numbers as
opportunity offered
| To seek to ride through the herd
would be suicide. and mindful of his
old hunting days Jimmie lifted his
! horse along. He wanted to be free OF
the gulch before the band caught uI
with him.
AS they swung round the mouth OF
the gulch he was several hundred
Yards in advance He gave a glance
! forward and his heart stood still, fol
right ahead was a gray-habited figure
upon the big roam. If the band evel
caught Grace's horse she would prob
ably be trampled to death.
Plying whip and spur he forced his
pony toward her and she, in her ter
ror, came galloping toward him Hell
horse had long since become unman
ageable and as they met 1t was all ht
could do to turn the roan's head t
keep pace with his pony.
It's all right" he shouted abov,
the thunder of the hoofs Keep you
head Don't be afraid"
She smiled bravely at him, but a
that moment the herd caught them
the stallion sweeping past, and thu
faster of the horses streaming OF
either side. Jimmie longed to take ;
shot at the stallion, but with Grace t.
look after he dared not. BY keeping
2 Arm hand on her mounts bride HI
kept beside her, but her horse wal
fresher than his own and 1t becam,
apparent that soon he must be out
distanced. They were in the cente
of the bunch now and were slowl!
falling back.
Kick your stirrup," he shouted .
am going to take you over here"
Slowly she slipped her feet from
the stirrups and nodded to him. Sh'
could not trust her voice. Even hi
clear, ringing tones seemed faint ant
far away.
Lean over" he shouted Now
and, as he released the roan's bridl,
and the horse shot forward, he caugh
her by the waist and swung her t,
his saddle.
Doubly weighted his pony dropped
back rapidly and presently they wer,
clear of the herd. There was sharl
fight for mastery, but Jimmie VOL
and presently the little pony was can
tering slowly at right angles to thu
herd, now rapidly disappearing in thu
distance
Jimmie smiled down into the girl
face
Il guess it's all over" he crie'
cheerfully. but you'll have to get an
other saddle horse"
Wasn't 1t awful?" she shuddered
Il thought we should both be killed
Jimmie" she said softly
you may speak to uncle If yol
want to. II he says no. I'm going t.
marry you anyway"
You don't have to marry me be
cause I helped you out of a scrape,
he protested wistfully.
Its not because you saved m
life" she protested. IT'S because yol
are so strong and brave-and lovable.
And she stopped and kissed the tame,
face
CONVEYING iuht by Glass Rods.