Nogales international., 1935-01-26

Gaining Anne! Anne! Dut SHe QlQ
not hear it. From somewhere in
the distance came a faint crack of
sound, and from somewhere nearer
by a single shot rang clear.
The sharp sound brought her to
her feet. stumbling with ,leep and
fatigue. Another sound was beat
ing lightly and steadily against her
ears. The click OF a horses hoofs
on rock. Going away from her!
Anne Anne!"
Pm coming! Barry!"
She began to run, slipping and
sliding down the slope, smooth with
fallen pine needles, forgetful of the
impetus OF her own rush and the
sheer dropping ledge at the foot.
That was when Barry saw her.
There were, after all, to be more
poignant moments in Barry Duane's
life, but none that could SO shrink
time into its racing seconds.
Through the scattered pines he
had caught sight Of a small running
figure, racing. in headlong haste
down slippery incline. Going too
fast, if she were going to pull up
we'll inside the ledge. God! if
she should go over!
His heart seemed to stand still
as Captains long legs pounded over
the intervening space. He put Cap
tain to the very edge, thrusting in
between. Barry heard her say
oh" in a Mortified voice, and
caught her with one arm as he
swung down.
"Anne, darlingI"
ooh, Barry!" She clung to him,
burying her face tightly against his
shoulder. II knew you would come
soon!'
"Of course I'd come. There, it's
all over"
But II forgot the ledge, and
then I couldn't stop. Only I'd been
asleep, and l woke up and heard
you going OH"
Il know. But you're safe now,
precious: Eyerything's all right.
EVerything-
He had both arms around her
now. For a moment she lay there,
close and still. Then with little
quiver she raised her head, and her
hands slid away from their drown
ing clutch Of him. ..--.
II ought 70 be scoided instead Of
comforted." She Strengthened up
and laughed shakily. IF you hadn't
come racing back in time. Barry"
"If hadn't, life wouldn't mean
much to me now"
She looked up at him with wide
dark eyes, heavy with fatigue, and
her head moved in faint negation.
He felt her slipping away from him,
and he did not know just why.
1t was no time for lovers impor-
tunities. Barry said STEADY, boy"
to Captain and reached for some
thing.
I'D better signal Petry that the
lost is found"
Two shots cracked and echoed.
The answer came from far on the
right. One shot and a pause, and
then a staccato outburst of rejoic-
ing. Barry laughed.
Boone is happy. Now we're 60
ing back to Trails End, and am
going to carry you. Here, put this
on first"
This" was his own coat.
Il won't!"
"Orders"
He bent down and swept her up
in front of him, swinging her across
so that she lay like a child in his
arms. She looked up to protest, but
already they had started. Once he
looked down and smiled, and after
that she did not look up again.
Barry loved her, and she couldn't
she couldn't. She lay passively
against him for mile after mile, with
her cheek pressing his shoulder and
dull ache in her. heart.
The next morning was an awak-
ening to strange aches and unsuS-
pected bruises. Martha ordered her
to stay in bed.
At noon the autocrat permitted
her to get up. Shortly after lunch
Barry appeared, riding Captain and
leading an unabashed Comet.
do you think you can forgive
the little devil enough to give him
another chance"
"Of course 1t was my fault that
he started IF in the first place. He's
an imp, but l do love him."
That might have given him an
opening, for light love-making at
least, but Barry let it pass. His
manner gave no suggestion that he
remembered his checked ardor of
the night before. Anne wandered
over toward Comet to avoid that
new look in his eyes.
The pinto was standing dutifully
where he had been left, merely Civ
ing an impatient stamp now and
then to remind them that motion
was his business and he was all
ready to go. i
Look at him! He doesn't know
how to be ashamed. Rascal, you
Just watch when we start out againi
I won't get out of the saddle for a
second without dropping those
o.-o o,.ar ,,o,1r nncnO