The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-11-19
Quthorof

took occasion to press into the boys
hand bin out of all proportion to the
value of the supplies requested.
The day was Introductory TO others
that were to follow. Dave returned
the next afternoon, riding his own
horse and heavily laden with cigars,
magazines and soap.
The following day IL was decided
that the automobile, which since the
accident had laid upturned by the road
way, should be brought to the ranch
buildings. Dave harnessed his team
and, instead of riding one of the horses,
walked behind, driving by the reins.
and accompanied by the girl, who had
proclaimed her ability to steer the car.
With the aid of the team and Dawes
lariat the car was soon righted and was
found to be none the worse for its de-
Election from the beaten track. Irene
presided at the seeering-wheel, watch
ing the road with great intentness and
turning the wheel too far on each &C.
casion. which gave to her course a
somewhat wavy or undulating order,
such as Is found In bread-knives; or
perhaps a better figure would be to
compare II to that rolling motion af-
fected by fancy skaters. However. the
mean of her direction corresponded
with the mean of the trail and all went
merrily until the stream was ap-
preached. Here was a rather steep
descent and the car showed a sudden
purpose to engage the horses In con-
test of speed. She determined to use
the foot-brake, a feat which was ac-
complished, under normal conditions,
by pressing one foot firmly against a
contraption somewhere beneath the
steering-post. She shot quick glance
cred not one, but three, contraptions,
oil apparently designed to receive the
pressure OF foot-if one could reach
them-and as similar as the steps OF a
stair. This involved further hesita-
ton, and In automobiling he who hest
tates invites a series of rapid expert
ences. 1t was quite evident that the
car was running away. 1t was quite
evident that the horses were running
away, too. The situation as
sumed the qualities Of a race, and
the only matter of grave doubt related
to Its termination.
Then they struck the water. 1t was
not more than two feet deep, but the
extra resistance il caused and the ex-
ira alarm it excited In the horses re-
suited In breaking the lariat. Dave
chung fast TO his team and they were
soon brought to a standstill. Having
pacified them, he tied them to post
and returned to the stream. The car
sat In the middle the girl had put her
feet on the seat beside her, and the
swift water flowed by few inches be-
low. She was laughing merrily when
Dave, very wet in parts, appeared on
the bank.
swell, I'm not wet, except for lit
tie splashing," she said, "and you are.
Does anything occur to your?
Without reply he walked stolidly in
to the cold water, took her in his arms
and carried her ashore. The lariat
was soon repaired and the car hauled
to the ranch buildings without further
mishap.
Later in the day he said 70 her: "Can
you ride?"
Some" she answered. II have rid !
den city horses, but don't know ahoI
these ranch animals. But l would libi |
to try--if had a saddle"
81 have an extra saddle" he said.
'But it's mans. +. They ell ride |
that way here"
She made no answer and the subject /
was dropped for the time. But the |
next morning she saw Dave ride away,