The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-02-14
DRAGGING MOUNT
By JANE GORDON
%. 1923. western Newspaper union.)

Faeosacsecssososcsosos.sososcs
t@. 1928. Western Newspaper Union.)
GERRY rode the proud black horse
~ slowly between the crimson trees
of fall. She sat in her saddle grace
fully-Gerry was a small, graceful
person altogether-but her blue eyes,
beneath their sweeping dark lashes
were wistful and shadowed with per
picking thought
1t was SO very strange about Dick.
Repeatedly he assured her of his
faithful and adoring love-Dick's ac-
tions. too, bore out his protestation-
in all but one particular-the paining.
tormenting particular that was sad
dening Gerry's heretofore unclouded
days.
Dick lately had taken a decided
fancy for the companionship of
rattle-headed, rather pretty young
woman who had come to be the guest
of Mrs. Spaulding Mrs. Spaulding. a
mutual friend of Geraldine and her
fiance, had presented them both to
the monopolizing Miss Sidney Sails
Ever since, it seemed to the aston
ished Gerry, she had met here and
there, by chance, her fiance with Miss
Sails near by. Now 1t would be in the
street where Mrs. Spaulding lived;
again in park path, or even in the
lobby of the church they attended
after service. Gerry had at first treat
ed the affair as joke, with Dick:
then, at the more distressing joking
of her friends, she had reasoned with
him on the subject Dick first ap-
peared amused. then indignant, then
abjectly apologetic
II can't help it, Pal" he would say
his pet name for Geraldine-"the girl
just seems to spring up where I pass"
An irritatingly inadequate explanation.
That Miss Sidney, the irresponsible,
had an evident admiration for the
good-lOoking, good-natured Dick, was
beyond dispute. Even Dick, in his own
embarrassed modesty, was obliged to
admit the fact, when challenged. He
did not admit that Miss Sidney was
quite frank regarding her attachment
for this, another girls acknowledged
lover.
The morning was fresh and sweet,
recalling other charmed mornings
when she and Dick rode through a
love-enchanted world together How
happily they had started upon these
early morning canters-every turn of
the way brought home poignantly
sweet memory. Almost Gerry seemed
TO smell the accustomed fragrance of
his cigar-fragrant to her because 1t
seemed part Of Dicks presence.
Tears coursed unheeded down the
girls pale cheeks-Dick, who could
have been SO faithless. Yesterday she
had encountered him in this woodland
path with Sidney-his confused ex-
PLANTATION that he had met her there
Unexpectedly as he hurried by the
short cut to Gerry's home. Always,
always Sidney near; always his ex-
cusing.
Other cantering steps came swiftly
behind. Gerry's heart seemed for the
moment to cease beating. Surely this.
the familiar sound of Brown Bettie's
hOofs in chase. Dick then, too, had
arisen early to ride through the wood,
before business took him to town.
Gerry's heart quickened to painful
him? Dick was racing after her-rac-
ing, no doubt, with some futile, foolish
excuse regarding that last affair with
Miss Sidney.
Gerry's Indignation came on afresh
with his nearness. She would give
him a chase for his pains. Roses
rushed to her pale cheeks, crimson
now like the roadside foliage. Freely
she gave Major the rein, excitedly urg-
ing-the other horse came on, pant
ing behind. Then there was the tan
gled brush that ofttimes caught
horses foot. Gerry remembered it.
Dick might not; she slowed down at
the turn. Major had cleared the trap
like brush daintily. Brown Betty had
ceased in her mad rush; there was no
sound Of cantering feet behind. Breath
lessly Gerry waited. She did not wish
to turn back to face Dick In her anxiety
If he should be safe and unharmed,
should she haunt her tender love for
him? The hoofbeats came on again !;
she drew a breath Of vast relief
deepened pallor-Brown Betty was
dragging her mount-rideriess. The
horse stopped obedlently alongside.
Gerry dismounted, fastened the horses
together, went slowly, gropingly around
the turn. No sound, no welcoming
voice to direct her Silence Then
Major called wonderingly. Brown
Betty echoing the complaint. Gerry
stood still in the woodland path ;
there. near the tangled brush, lay a
mans huddled figure. She knew well
the gray tweed coat-knew the dark
head cradled on outstretched arms
He was very still as she bent over him
and raised the bowed head in her own
protecting arms. His dark eyes looked