Williams news., 1917-05-03

ShoeS anu IrdVel llSnt, the way I've done"
 The pony was now ambling down the slope past the mare. Hardy looked at the unshod hoofs. They were cov- cred with a coating of clay mire from the bottom of the last gulch, and the beasts shutfiing pace did not expose the under surface of the hoofs. Wheth- CT the pony had or had not been re- gently unshod could not be seen. Great horse, my little old pinto, eh?" mocked Vandervyn. "By-by! I'll tell Marie you'll be along later."
 Hardy perceived in a flash why he had seen neither the girl nor her fa- ther at the agency. Swiftly he wheeled about to mount. Startled by the quick action, Vandervyn spurred his pony, and went down the steep descent at a gait far from easy on even a mOun- tain-bred horses knees. Hardy fol- lowed at walk. The opposite rise was gradual. He let the mare take it at slow trot. At the top was a fair ly level stretch of trail. Vandervyn was far ahead. Hardy put the mare into a fast gallop. A few minutes DIOuSuI 1lSI up SO ClOSe DellHu lue lOD- ing pinto that Vandervyn spurred his beast to sprinting speed. Hardy fol lowed at an easier yet swift pace that again brought him near, as the pinto slackened to a lope.
 A steep ridge made break in the game. The pinto crossed it at a jog trot. The mare had to walk. Beyond was a long stretch of broken country that favored the pinto. He could jog over ground that held the mare to a walk, and canter where she could no was fully equal to travelling at these paces for twelve hours at stretch, all the time in the lead of the mare. Of this Hardy was as well aware as was Vandervyn.
 Though he steadily lost ground, he kept on in pursuit, coolly studying the landmarks ahead and lifting his mare along over the heartbreaking trail. To have given way to the i iDlpatience that betrayed itself in his flashing eyes would inevitably have | lost him the race by overStraining the mare. He held himself grimly in hand. and eaSed the going for his eager mount with consummate horseman- ship
 When they reached better ground, i Vandervyn was again far ahead. But Hardy had his reward for his restraint in the resilient stride of the mare as she swung into full gallop. Up and down the long, easy slopes, around a curving mOuntainside, and along the level bench of a stream bank, she held i to the crosS-country racing pace that rapidly rolled up mile after mile of the trail.
 In less than half an hour she brought her rider around sharp bend only few hundred yards behind the pinto. Vandervyn, over-confident, was jogging along the level when the sound of the approaching hoofbeats threw him into a half-panic. There was still long stretch of easy trail ahead. He put his pony into gallop. The long-legged thoroughbred, still running as smoothly as clockwork, continued to gain. Vandervyn began to swing his spurs.
 The pinto started to pull ahead. Hardy held the mare to the same speed as before. It was a speed that he knew she could maintain for miles. He could see that the pinto was being forced to a killing pace-a pace that must strain if not break him before they came to the next rough ground.
 On up the valley rushed the pursued, now barely holding his own. The cruel spurring and whip-slashing could not sting the failing beast to greater eX- ertions. He was blowing hard; his rough coat was lathered with sweat. He began to lose.
 At last the trail made a sharp turn. and started to zigzag up the mountain side. The pinto was staggering when he reached the foot of the ascent. The quicker and longer stride of the mare soon brought them up at Vandervyn's heels. The pitch of the mountain was too precipitous for Hardy to risk passing on the lower side of the mar row trail with the mare, and Van dervyn kept the pinto close to the upper side.
 You have no right to block the trail," said Hardy. "Allow me to pass"
 Vandervyn looked over his shoulder with an insolent sheer. "Go on and pass, if you're in a hurry. You've got all outdoors to do it in. If there's not room enough, shoot me in the back and take the trail. I'll not get out
 of it for you."
 Hardy did not reply nor did he at
 tempt to force a passage. At last
 twelve miles from the goal of the hearIbreaking race, came the opportu- ; nity for which he had been waiting. , The trail smoothed out in another , easy stretch. For this he had been holding the mare in hand. He started at a canter, and gradually let her
 strike into her long, swift gallop. Van deryyn saw them coming. and at once