Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-04-15

finity. it seemed, without so much as
hummook breaking the clear roll of
sky line. The timber was all behind
them; beyond. nothing but inviting
distance.
Il love it, she cried. throwing
wide her arms. for moment serious
in her impuisiyeness. Il love every
cattle trail that winds over it; | love
every spear OF blue stem, even though
its bigness does make me feel little
and mean when look at that sweep
OF horizon"
The horses stood motioness,
Hardy's breathing loudly from the
excitement of the burst of running;
the pinto with his head hung. ears
back. while the two humans drank in
the charm OF big places.
Hardy had experienced that same
sensation of feeling small and OF no
consequence. each time he had ridden
out on the prairie and looked about
him. now il seemed To come stronger
than ever and he felt a peculiar,
pleasing sinking rs he gave way to The
spell of The country with its ponder
Gus sweeps and soft distances
Don't We love it, Spot" Ruth cried.
with a little provoking cry as her
mood snapped again, threw her feet
backward, drew her knees up with a
swift movement, lifted them over the
cantle Of her saddle jnd allehting,
knelt on The ponys hips.
Look OUT
Bur she did not heed Hardy's cry:
she had seen, and lurched fcrward
again 10 gather the reins.
With a shake of his head the pinto
bowed his back and every line OF his
agile little body took on that spirit OF
maleyolenee that had glowed in his
eyes
Lips drawn from his wicked yellow
teeth, nose close 10 his punched feet,
he leaped forward forward and up,
alightng stiff-legged, headquarters far
under, making his posture almost that
OF squat, and Ruth sprawled for
ward, her body across the saddle
Hardy drove his horse forward.
fear gripping and throttling him, max
ing him unable to utter the words that
crowded through his thoughts,
Keep back" the girl grunted, the
waning shaken from her by the third
lnnee OF the pinto.
The pony made a half turn and
bucked straight away from Hardy
who watched and followed at n dis
lance, terror in his heart, wanting TO
run close in spite of Ruths admoni-
ton 10 stay away.
Between jumps the girl fought to
regain her seat. Once ii seemed as
though she must 90 over the pnto'S
neck in his next effort but catlike
movement recovered her position, and
in another instant she had jcrked her
self forward and was half way into the
saddle.
She kicked frantically 10 find a stir
rup, caught II by mere chance, and
with a shrill cry Of triumph drew her
self up and swung lhe quirt Viciously
putting all the power OF her other
arm into jerks on the one bride rein
she had recovered.
spot" she cried. GIVE up -
that head you-Spol.'
And Hardy, watching. ceased to
fear; a glory in the struggle came TO
him! Ii was splendid, immense, I'M
like anything he had ever witnessed.
The wickedness Of the horse, the
superb animal efforts he made 10 I'M
seat the rider And the mastery will
Of that red.cheeked girl,
She caught the other stirrup up and
with renewed effort struggled for the
pony's head. ever cautious 10 keep her
pose, leaning far back, meeting every
side movement with little response.
hands free OF the saddle--for she rode
clean with the regainng OF stirrups.
The pony snapped ends" and, in
the vernacular of the country,
"hoeged it" straight toward Hardy.