Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-11-30
CHAPTER III
Enter the Hero
4 wheel had come off our tran

A wheel had come off our trap.
The driver-Ned, his name was I
found out afterward-had been thrown
out. too, but he was not hurt either.
and he scrambled up when l did and
caught at the horses bride to prevent
him from trying to run away. and
across its back we looked at one an
other ruefully.
was chilled to the bone and my
teeth were chattering.
I'VE might have been killed." said
angrily.
Ned grinned He had nice white
teeth. and his face was almost pleasant
when he smiled.
"Noa :" he said again. and the mono
syllable so irritated me that I could
have thrown something at him with
the greatest of pleasure, only there was
nothing to throw hut snow. and my
hands were cold enough already with
out making them worse.
Its no use standing there grim
ming" said sharply. I'VE shall have
to walk. is it much further?"
''Noa." said the brilliant one again.
and this time ] was almost reduced
TO ignOminious tears when suddenly a
voice hailed from the other side of
the hedge which bordercd the road on
one side.
'Hullo! What's up?"
I suppose we made a miserable 1T
tie group. / know | looked wrctched
enough. for my face was nipped with
the cold and there were tears in my
eyes as ] turned around and looked at
the man who had spoken.
He was on horseback, and he had
evidently been riding across the field
when he had caught sight of us through
the bare hedge and come across to sec
what was the matter.
He was quite young and good looking
enough to be interesting. and he wore
riding breechcs and leather CATERS and
a rough tweed coat that made him look
big and square shouldered.
"What's up?" he asked again, and
he got down from the saddle. and with
the bride hanging loosely over one arm
opened gate few yards further
down and came out into the road lead.
ing his horse.
lie whistled when he saw the over.
turned trap.
Wheel off" he said. You might
have been badly shaken but for the
snow
We're badly shaken as it is" said
sharply. AT least, | am, and I'm
frozen to death and ever so hungry, and
this man here keeps on saying it's no
further, and yet we never seen to get
there"
The young man smiled.
"If you re going to the Gable Farm.
it's only about half a mile he said.
But il you're as cold as you look
and his smile widcned as his eyes
rested on my wocbcgonc facc--'and as
hungry as you say you are. my house
is just at the back of that field. and
it ought to be tcatimc, If you'd care to
come along with me. III drive you
home aftcrward."
My blood began to move more warm.
ly at the mere suggestion.
And what's going to become Of
themT | asked. waving a vague hand
in the direction of Ned and the broken
trap.
"The man can lead the horse and
send back for the trap" my new friend
answered airlly, ana presently | was
walking over the field with him toward
the promised fire and tea.
"You've come from London. of
course" my companion said. "Nou re
the little girl who's going to stay with
Alberry and his wife at the Gable
Farm? Oh, yes, I've heard all about
you. Every one hears everything down
IN village IKE thlS, ou re Miss
Slater, aren't you?'
Yes. Who are you?" asked.
lie laughed a very pleasant laugh.
My names Anderson" he said.
"Mark Anderson. Alberry, who rather
likes me, will probably tell you that
the village belongs to me, but as I'm
naturally truthful person, III tell you
beforehand that it does not Most of
it's mortgaged, However, that's neither
here nor there! Can you ride?"
ye never tried, but ! think I
could" | answered optimsticaIly.
He laughed
Good, I'll give you lesson tomor-
row."
looked up at him delightedly.
CONTINUED TOMORROW