The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-02-10

90 bhc stt out with ntr money ana
her hurt pride and all her troubles.
to pay tho Devils Tooth outfit for
the schoolhousc approximately.
since she had only n vague idea OF
the cost OF the buiding--and then
be quit OF the Lorrigan patronage
forever.
She might as wen have tried 20
pay for tho Devils Tooth ranch
itself. She found Tom at home. but
as usual he had his own way In the
matter. and Mary Hope left the
ranch chagrined and hating Its owner
and all that pertained to him more
than ever.
Blindiy fighting an hystcrical i'm
pulse TO cry. she refined Jamie into
the shortcut trail OF the Slide. Mary
Hope had Travelled that trail many
times on Rab. few years ago. She
had always entered the slide with a
little thrill along her spine. knowing
1t for place where Adventure
might meet her face TO face--wherc
Danger lurkcd and might one day
spring out at her. Today she
thought nothing about 1t until
Jamie squatted and tried TO whirl
back. Then she looked up and saw
Adventure. Danger and Lance Lori.
gan just ahead. where the Slide was
steepest.
Lance pulled up his hired horse.
his thoughts coming back with n
jerk from tho same disagrecable sub
ject that had engrossed Mary Hope.
The hired horse jumped. tried his
best not TO sit down. and paused
wild-eyed. his hind feet slipping and
scraping the rock.
Jamie, finding that no could not
turn around. was backing down the
Slide. every step threatening to land
him In a heap. Mary Hope turned
white, her eyes staring up Mt Lance
a little above her. In that instant
they both remembered the short turn
OF the switch back and tho sheer
drop.
Loosen the rcins and spur himr'
Lance's voice sounded hollow.
Mary Hope leaned obedientiy for
ward. the reins hanging loose. He
always backs up when he's scared. Z"
she painted. when Jamie paid no at.
tention-
1nstinctivciy Lance's hand felt for
his rope. On the livery saddle there
did happen to be poor sort OF
grass-rope RATA, cheap and stiff and
clumsily collcd. but fortunately with
a loop in the end.
Lance flippcd kink out OF the
rope. Put up your hands--close
to your head" he commanded her.
TITS all right. Don't be afraid--its
all right, girl
down at her. saw It settle over her
head. slip over her elbows. her
shoulders. ITS all right--can you
get off,.
She tried. but the space was too
narrow.
stay on--but be all ready to jump
when he leaves the Slide Don't be
afraid-its all right" lie was edging
closer TO the horse, holding the rope
taut in his right hand. As Lance
came on. jamie backed faster
Lance dared not crowd him. dared
not reach for the bride. SO Jamie
came out OF the Slide backwards. saw
with n sudden panic-stricken toss OF
his head that he had open daylight
all around him. whirled short and
gave one headiong leap away from
the place that had terrified him SO.
Lance jumped. reached for Mary
Hope ms the horse went over the
bank. BY tho length Of his hand he
missed her. but the rope pulled her
free from Jamie. and she fell prone
ON the trail and lay still.
Are you hurtg Good God! are
YOU hurt?" Lance gathered her In
his arms and carried her TO where
the rock wall made shady band
across the steep slope.
Mary Hope was very white. very
limp. and her eyes were closed. lie
sat down. still holding her like
child. and felt tentatively OF her
arms. her shoulders, vaguely pre-
pared to feel the crunch OF broken
bone. There was no water nearer
than the ranch.
She was not dead, She could not
be dead. with that short fall. Then
he saw that she was breathing
family But her eyes did not open,
the color did not flow back into her
face.
"Oh, giri--girl. wake up" with n
little shake he pulled her close 10
him. "Opcn your eyes. want 10
see II they are just as blue as ever
Girl-oh, you poor little girlF
He had been hating her. furious AT
the insult she had given his family
But he could not hate her now-not
when she lay there In his arms. Very
tenderly. with n whimsical pretense
nj self.pity. he upbraided her Tor the
trouble she was giving him.
you're not hurt; are you hurt7
You'd better wake up and tell me-
or I'll have to take you right up In
my arms and carry you all the way
down to the house, and ride IKE
heck for n doctor. and
Eye will notv' she retorted faintly'
and moved uneasily. He hfted her
to the bank beside him and put one
arm behind her, so that she leaned
against him.
"Oh. very well--thcn j VIII not
You'll walk with me to the house.
and we'll let Belle"
81 will notl Never in my life will
enter the house Of a Lorrigang
"why not? You've just come from
the Lorrigans, haven't your" Lance
studied her face. you must have.
or YOU wouldn't be ON this trail"
II went down to pay Tor the
schooIhouse, since your father took
the piano away. And he would not
take tho money-and III die before
ever III open the door again, unless
no takes the money. The Lorrigans
shall not"
Lance laughed. II wouldn't worry
over the schooIhouse right now-nor
Tom Lorrigan either" he said. Look
at your horse down there. II you're
nd hnN