Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1924-06-19
CHAPTER iii


At the Lodge the whole party was
down by nIne-thirty and was on the
road within the hour. The horses were
keen and the pace brisk. II was not
until half the distance had been COW
cred that Joyce. who was riding be-
side the captain. found opportunity
for conversation.
you sat up late, didn't your"
"Early." the soldier laughed.
slow did the savage behave him
selff He has good deal Of assur-
ance, hasn't her she asked lightly.
The captain hesitated. do you
think that's quite the wordf He fitted
IN easlly--wasnt shy or awkward
that sort Of thing. you know--but he
wasn't obtrusive at all. FafQuhar
likes him."
"He's rather interesting" Joyce ad.
mitted.
She thought OF him as a handsome
untamed young barbarian, but II was
impossible for her TO deny certain
amount Of regard for any virile man
who admired her. The westerner had
not let his eyes rest often upon her,
hut the subtle instinct of her ser told
her that he was very much taken with
her. Since Joyce seldom was the CEN
ter and circumference about which
most OF her thoughts revolved. II fol.
lowed that the young man had chosen
the sure way TO her favor.
Moya Dwight too found that the
young fisherman fitted In and out of
her mind a good deal. In spite OF the
soft vocal elisions OF the West, his
speech had dignity that suggested
breeding. II was quite likely he was
not q gentleman. according TO the code
IN which she had been brought up. but
II was equally sure there burned In
him that dynamic spark OF self-respect
which Ia at the base OF oil good man.
ners.
The little town Of Gunnlson rioted
with life. Born and brought up as she
had been In the iron caste OF modern
super-ciyiliEation. Moya found the bar
barrie color OF the occasion very APP
peallng. As she looked down on the
arena from the box her party occupied.
the heart OF the girl throbbed with
the pure JOY OF II all. she loved this
West. with Its picturesque chap-clad
brown-faced riders. They were hard.
bitten lot. burned TO a brick red by
the untempered sun OF the Rockies.
Cheerful sons Of mirth they were, car.
rying their years with boyish ex.
uberance that was delightful.
Most Of the competitors for the
bucklng broncho championship had
been eliminated before the arrival OF
the party from the Lodge. Among the
three who had reached the finals was
their guest OF the previous evening.
"Jack Kilmeny win ride Teddy
Roosevelt" blared the negaphone man
The English officer turned to Far
quhar. Didn't quite catch the name
Sounded like my own"
that's what thought contribute,
his sister. A moment later. she added
"why. It's Mr.. Crumbs"
That young man sauntered forwar,
lazily, dragging his saddle by It's horn,
He saddied the trembling anima
warily. then swung lightly to the sea,
The broncho stood for an instant mo
tioniess, then bumped itself from tn
earth. an incsrnate demon Of action
but the lean-nanked young miner an
peared clamped to the saddle. Lith
and sinuous a. panther. he rode witt
perfect ease that was captivating
Even the frontier West had neve
seen . more daring and magnineen
piece Of horsemanship.
Captain Kilmeny clapped his hand
enthusiastically. "Bravol Wen done I
He turned to Moya. who sat besid
him. "Finest bit Of rough-riding
ever saw. Not one man In Q miliio
could have done II"
IT'S all In getting the hang sf n