The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-11-05

broken rhythm of watch tick.
"WeIl. guess 1t won't ct u.s." ssae
ventured at last. "We'll just run II
down and perhaps poke a hole In It."
So saying. he cantered along the road.
crossed the little stream. and swung
up the hill on the farther side.
He was half way up when turn In
the road brought him into sudden
sight OF the strange visitor. 1t was
the first he had seen. but he knew 1t
at once, for the fame of the automo-
bile. then In its single-cylinder stage.
had already spread into the farthest
ranching country. The horse was less
well informed. He bucked and kicked
In rage and terror. But the boy was
conscious not so much of the horse as
of two bright eyes turned on him in
frank and surprised admiration.
what horsemanshipw she ex-
claimed. But the words had scarce
left her lips when they were followed
by a cry of alarm. For the car had
taken a sudden turn from the road
and plunged into growth OF young
poplars that fringed the hillside. II
half slid, half plowed Its way into
semi-vertical position among the young
trees. The two occupants were
thrown from their seat; the girl fell
clear but her father was less fortu-
nate.
In an instant the boy had flung him
self from his horse. dropping the reins
10 fhn <hrs ~ 81
though snorting and shivering. had no
thought OF disgracing his training by
breaking his parole. With quick. I'M
calmly strides the boy brought himself
to the upturned machine. 1t was Gu
rious that he should appear to such
disadvantage on his feet. In the
saddle he was grace personified.
For a moment he looked somewhat
stupidity upon the wreck. Had 1t been
horse or q steer he would have
known the procedure. but this expert
ence was new to his life. Besides
there were strangers here. He had no
fear of strangers when they wore
chaps and colored handkerchiefs, but
girl In brown sweater and an
oldish man with white collar were
creatures to be approached with eau
ton. The oldish man was lying on
the ground, with a leg pinned under
the car. and Brown Sweater raised
his head against her knee and pressed
his cheeks with small white. fingers.
and looked at the boy with bright
gray eyes and said:
"Aren't you going to do anything7"
That brought him back. "Sure." he
said. springing to her side. "Whada We
want me to do?'
~ am afraid my leg is broken" said
the man, speaking calmly notwith-
standing his pain. "Can you get the
jack out Of the too.0ox and raise the
carr"
The girl pointed to the box. and in
a moment he had the jack in his
hand. But it was new tool 10 him
and he fumbled with IL stupidity. The
handle would not fit, and when IL did
fit it operated the wrong way.
"Oh. let me have It." she cried i'm
patiently,
In a moment she had Ii set under
the frame of the car and was plying
the handle up and down with rapid
strokes. The boy looked on. helpless
and mortified. He was beginning TO
realize that there were more things
in the world than riding horse and
shooting bottles. He felt a sudden
desire TO be of great service And
just now he could be of no service
whatever.
But the foot Of the jack began to-
sink in the soft earth, and the girl
looked up helplessly.
at won't lift It," she said. "what
shall we do?"
II was his chance. He was eighteen,
and his wild, open life had given him
muscles of steel. Here" he said
roughly, "move his leg when i get II
clear" He turned his back to the
machine and crouched down until he
could get his hands under the steel
frame. Then he lifted. The car was
In somewhat poised position. and he
was able to swing 1t up far enough
to release the injured leg.
"very good. my boy" said the man.
THAT was a wonderful lift. The leg
is broken-compound. Can you get
some way Of moving me to shelteri
will pay you we'll"
The last words were unfortunate.
Hospitality In the ranching country is
not bought and sold.
you can't pay me nothin'." he said
rudely. But can bring a light
wagon, II you can ride In that, and
put you up at the ranch. The old
mans soused,y he added. as an after
thought, "tut It's better than sleepin'
out. won't be long"
He was back at his horse. and In
a moment they heard the clatter Of
hoofs galloping down the hillside.
The girl rested her fathers head In
her lap. Tears made her bright eyes
brighter still.
Don't cry. Reenie." he said gently.
I'VE are very lucky to be so close to
help. OF course III be laid up for q