Connecticut western news., 1918-01-24


| ~Yes, and stun your toe and fall
down every ten feet" Bill observed,
"No, Miss Weir, your first lesson I'M
Craftsmanship is now due-if you aren't
afraid of horses"
I'm not afraid of horses at all,"i
Hazel declared. But don't think It's
q very good place to take riding Jest
sons. 1 can just as well walk, for I'm
not in the least afraid" And then she
added as an afterthought: How do
you happen to know my nameT
'In the same way that you know
mine," Bin replied, "even If you haven'tl
mentioned ii yet. Lord bless you, dol
you suppose Cariboo Meadows could
import lady school teacher from the,
civilized East without everybody I'M
fifty miles knowing who she was, and
where she came from, and what she
looked like? 1 guess you don't realized
what old granny gossips we wild West
erners are. Especially where girls arei
concerned" i
Hazel stiffened a trife. She did
got like the idea of Cariboo Meadows
discussing her with such freedom.
3, SWELL" said he, 1--WE won't argue the
point" ...'.- - te.s
He disappeared into the dark again.
This time he came back with thei
crown of his hat full of water which
he sprinkled over the dwindling fire.
AS the red glow of the embers faded
In sputter of steam and ashes, Hazeli
realized more profoundly the blackness
of cloudy night in the woods.
''It's going to be nasty travelling,
Miss Weir" Roaring Bill spoke ut her
elbow. "Tn walk and lead the packs,
You ride Silk. He's gentle. All you
have to do is sit still, and he'll stay
right behind the packs. I'll help you
mount"
If Hazel had still been inclined TO I'M
sist on walking. she had no chance 20
debate the question. Bill took her by
the arm and led her up beside the
horse. 1t was unique experience for
her, this being compelled TO do things.
No man had ever issued ultimatums to
her. But here was Roaring Bill Wng-
staff telling her how to put her foot in
the stirrup, putting her for the first
time In her life astrlde horse, warm
ing her to duck low branches. In his
mind there seemed to be no question:
as to whether or not she would ride.
He had settled that.
Unused TO mounting, she blundered
at the first attempt, and flushed In the
dark at Bill's amused chuckle. The
next instant he caught her under the
arms, and, with the leverage OF her
one foot In the stirrup, set her gently
In the seat of the saddle.
"You're such q little person." he
said, "these stirrups are mile too
long. Put your feet In the leather
above-so. Now play follow your
leader. Give SILK his head" n
lie moved away. 0bedient to Bits
command, she let the relns bangle, and
Silk followed close behind his mates.
Hazel lurched unsteadily ut first. but
presently she caught the swinging mo-
ton and could maintain her balance,
without holding stiffiy to the saddle
horn.
The night seemed endless as the will
derness itself. Unused to riding, she!
became sore, and then the sore mus
cles stiffcned. The chill OF the night
air intensified. She grew cold. her
fingers numb. She did not know where
she was going, and she was assalIed
with doubts of Roaring Bits ability to
find Carihoo Meadows.
'Mr. Wpgstaffi" she called.
'Yours truly" his voice hailed back,
away To one side. ''rll be there In q
minute"
In less time he appeared beside her.
'Will you fall of, or be lifted orr
he said cheerfully.
"Where are we2 she demanded.
ASK me something easy" he REL
turned. "Tve been going 1t blind for
nm hour, trying to hit the Soda Creek
a