The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1924-07-02
CHAPTER ~

When Zen awoke next morning TIL
moving machines of Transleys outfi
were already singing their symptom.
in the meadows; she could hear tn,
metallic rhythm as it came borne OF
the early breeze. She lay awake OF
her camp cot for a few minutes
stretching her fingers to the canva:
ceiling and feeling that it was good t.
be alive. And 1t was The ripple
of water came from almost underneath
the walls of her tent; the smell Of
spruce trees and balm-o' -Gilead ant
new-mown hay was In the air. She
could feel the warmth of the sunshine
already pouring upon her white roof
she could trace the gentle swey Of
the trees by the leafy patterns gliding
forward and bach. A cheeky gopher
exploring about the door of her tent
ventured in, and, sitting bolt upright
sent his shrill whistle boldly forth
She watched his fine bravery for q
minute, then clapped her hands to-
gether, and laughed as he fed.
Therein we have the figures of both
Transley and Under" she unused to
herself. Upright, Transley; horizon.
tai, Under. I doubt if the poor fell
low slept last night after the fright
gave him."
Slowly and clamly she turned the
incident over in her mind. She won
dered a little if she had been quite
fair with Under. Her words and con-
duct were capable of very broad in
terpretations SIZE was not at all in
love with Under; of that Zen was sure.
She was equally sure that she was not
at all In love with Transley. She ad-
nitted that she admired Transley for
his calm assumptions, but they nettled
her little nevertheless. II this should
develop into a love affair-if it should
she had no intention that it was to
be a pleasant afternoons canter. 1t
was TO be race-a race, mind you
and may the best man winl She
had feeling, amounting almost to a
conviction, that Transley moderated
his foremans possibilities in such a
contest. She had seen many a dark
horse, less promising than Under, gal
lop home with the stakes.
Then Zen smiled her own quiet. self
confident smile. The idea of either
Transley or Under thinking he could
gallop home with her! For the mo-
ment she forgot to do Under the JUS
tice of remembering that nothing was
further from his thoughts. She would
show them. She would make a race of
it-almost to the wire. In the home
stretch she would make the leap, out
and over the fence. She was in it for
the race, not for the finish.
Zen contemplated for some minutes
The possibilities Of that race; then, as
he imagination threatened to become
involved, she sprang from her cot and
thrust a cautious head through the
ioor of her tent. The gang had long
since gone to the fields, and friendly
pushes sheltered her from view from
he cook car. She drew on her boots.
shook out her hair, threw a towel
across her shoulders. and, soap in
land, walked boldly the few steps to
he stream ripping over Its shiny
'ravel bed. She stopped and tested
he water with her fingers; then
rought it in fresh, cool handfuls about
Ter face and neck.
"Mornin', Zenl" said a familiar
oice. "Scuse me for happenin' to
e here. was JUS waterIn' that Pete
orse after a hard ride"
Now look here, Mr.. Drazk!" said |
he girl, whipping her scanty clothing
bout her, 'if I had gum l won't |
ave you spying about"
Jaw, dom be cross" Drazk protest !.
d. He was sitting on his horse in
he ford dozen yavds away. 81 JUS
along. l guess the outside
elongs to all of us. Say, Zen, If l
as to get properly introduced, what's
he chances?"
mot one in a million, and If that
mt odds enough I'll double It."
You're not goin' to hitch up with
inder, are your"
"Linder? Who said anything about
inder?
Gee, but amt she innercent?"
razk stepped his horse up a few
ct to facilitate conversation. 81 alus
Ike an interest In inherent gals
way from home, so I kinda KEEP my
lgel eye on you las night. An
e Under stalkin' aroun' here an
CHIN out over the water when he
ould ave been in bed. But. of
urco hoe haan lptorducod