The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-09-10
by TOM GILL


that still unconquered mystery men
call the desert.
Ted's eyes sought the far horizon.
Nothing but purple mists and dark
ening sky. No sight of human life.
Adela was looking to the west. Il
think I've found my stupid self at
last" she said. but we're miles west
of where we should have struck the
desert. That promonotory over
there. that far one looking a little
like birds head think that's Eagle
Rock. It's ten miles from there to
the RANCH"
"And fifteen from here to the
rock" Ted estimated. twenty-five
miles for tired horse. Why don't
you ride in while it's cool and l can
camp here until tomorrow. | hate to
see you take the desert alone, yet the
mare will guide you home. won't
she?"
For a moment the girl sat in
thought, then deliberately she swung
out of the saddle and took off the
cinch. "It's better for US to spend
the night here"
"But your uncle will be wild with
anxiety"
"Of course he will. And I'll catch
what the major once called merry
old hell tomorrow. but l haven't the
heart to make the beast face twenty
five miles more. Besides. don't
want to leave you here"
what could happen to me?"
"Lots of terrible things. For one
thing. anyone as dumb as I've turned
out to be might not be able to find
you in the morning. Besides, I'm
tired"
tied. look around and gather
some soft stuff to lie on, and stop
talking. I've decided to compromise
myself" She smiled like a hayward
child. What uncle will say tomor-
row isn't part of today's troubles.
Really. this sort of thing is good for
him. It gives him something to think
about besides FL Coyote"
Slowly she pulled off her riding
boots and gingerly rubbed her in.
steps. then looked up.
There's lot of lunch still in that
saddlebag, Don Ted. and some
spring water in the canteen."
Radcliffe laid on the ground what
remained of the lunch, then sat be-
side her. He got out his cigarettes
and divided them into two piles.
when the last one is smoked we
go to Sleep"
With his knife he cut dry branches
of ehaparral and soon had a small
FIRE blazing.
mot that we need the heat" he
commented. "but that is always the
thing to do. Besides. l like the way
it makes your eyes glisten."
These glistenine eyes are going
to be closed in sweet slumber before
many cigarettes l must be in sad
condition to tire from . thirty.snile
ride" She wiggled her toes before
the FIRE.
Ted went again to the horse and
brought up the saddle-blanket. Adela
sighed in contentment mot half
bad. is it," She yawned while the
smoke from their cigarettes drifted
toward the cracking flames. "Ever
since l can remember I've wanted to
get lost in the DESERT" she added.
by yourself9'
"Dios. no. Always with some big,
broad-shouldered man who would
find me and put blankets over my
feet. Thanks. I've spent many nights
on the desert. out with the cattle
hands. but I've never been lost.
Sometimes. ! remember, / would
imagine myself lost. and then this
unknown horseman would always
come gallopine over the sands and
snatch me up into the saddle and
take me home. And sometimes /
would be lost and couldn't get home
and would spend the night out here
where the coyotes would come. down
and glare into the FIRE. That always
gave me delightfully."- goose.Aesh
feeling.
&c - cssdsssdD