The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1917-08-29
CUp|D'S new WEAPON
BY LOIS GRAFTON.

trail as the horses wound around hlgh'
rocky cliffs. across tracts of shaie ana
through deep valleys. Hedgelnan. the
leader, who knew the country WE'LL
went ahead; then came the venture
some spirits. ready to take RISKS OF
slides and places on narrow ledGes'
where pieces of rock might have fallen
away sine. the last ranger passed on
his lonely patrol.
But the mountain ponies were sure
footed-too sure-footed, for they went
close to the edge sometimes. Inc
horse the girl rode insisted on walking
as far away from the cliff as posslole'
The man kept his eye on the girl.
Most of the time her left foot was DAN
Cling over space. but she gave no
sign that she was afraid.
When night came they camped In a
valley. and after supper most Of the
weary souls crawled into bed. A few
still fingered, however, around the
great fire. The man and the girl sat
apart talking.
"You are not afraid of anything, are
you?" be said.
She laughed. Goodness. yes-spl-
ders and mice, measles n burglars
II doubt it,"
What did l do to make you think
/ was-bfave?"
Most girls would have screamed or
tainted when that horse went so close
to the edge"
And | kept quiet. That was l
the instinct of self-preservation. /
didn't want to scare him."
THAT isn't true, I'm afraid. l insist
on giving you the palm Of courage"
"And I insist that l am as much OF
q coward as anybody"
"What are you afraid Of, then|
Il told you-burglars for one thing
"And?"
"You for another"
"Me?"
Eyes. You insist on dragging my
failings out into daylight and analyz-
ing them. l suppose you'll soon dis
cover that I'm fond Of vegetable SOUP
and hate to use semicolons, and that
incidentally these riding boots have
rubbed my stockings into tatters."
I'D forgotten. You must be dead
tired" He got up instantly and helped
her to her feet. go to bed now and
be fresh for new worlds tomorrow"
He pressed her hand warmly and
was gone.
They were together a great deal
after that they rode side by side when
possible, sat together at meals, and
had splendid campfire talks. he in
sisted on calling her brave as each day
brought new risks which she took
without finching.
The trip came to an end; the man
took train for Seattle, the girl went
east, and the party scattered In all
directions.
The girls family had not come home
from Canada and she undertook the
opening of the townhouse.
She had long, quiet evenings alone
after busy days, and she lived over
her wonderful time In the mountains.
There were camera views to go over.
some Of the man. Hes so different
from most men," she unused. $50 big.
Hes been all over the world, he says.
/ suppose he builds bridges and tun-
nels mountains and constructs dams
and %aqueducts, for he would be
content to spend his time doing little
things"
One evening. after looking through
her travel book again, she decided to
90 to bed. Hulda. the cook, had gone
to her room on the third floor, and she
was alone. She made a round Of the
rooms, fastened windows, swapping on
locks and turning out lights.
Then she returned to the library to
switch off the table light before going
upstairs.
And there stood a man with a black
mask over his face and an automatic
ready for action.
"Oh!" said the girl, standing quite
still.
Keep quiet" said the intruder, land
] won't hurt you"
And the girl kept very quiet; in
truth, she slipped in a heap to the
floor, for she had tainted.
I'm a fool" A mans voice was
the first thing she heard when her
senses came back. She was on a couch
and Hulda was rubbing her face and
hands. She thought she knew the
voice.
The girl sat up. You" she cried.
"Yes, Il" said the man grimly. the
man with whom she had travelled over
300 miles Of mountains.
.. "And here I've been thinking you did
big, wonderful things to help the world,
and you're IA"
"A burglar? No. I'm not really.
Listen. I just got back from the West
today-this evening-and couldn't go
to sleep until I had located your house.
It was too late to come in, but | Just