The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-05-14

into the thick, yellow mud, but BabS
pushed on. Shivering under the
cold pelting rain against her
poncho, she guided the team as best
she could, her eyes straining
through the gray void ahead.
A distant pulsing sound made her
pull up in dismay. That couldn't
be a carl Nobody'd be mad enough
to try to make this road in a car,
during the March thaw
Even while Babs told herself that
it wouldn't be car, her ear assured
her that 1t was. Through the rain
she finally made out black mass
blocking the road completely as it
1erked slowly forward.
EVIDENTLY, she had become
visible at the same moment.
With a f1tful snort, it stopped. A
boy sprang out and came running
UP the road.
Gosh, what are you dom here?"
he demanded. 1--WE never thought
any one would be loco enough to
take team out in this weather."
Il never thought any one would
be loco enough to take out car"
Babs countered. In spite of the
desperate predicament, it was all
she could do TO keep from laughing
at the boys fierce expression. He
couldn't be more than IL, she de-
cided. His brown eyes were both
despairing and accusing as he
said: you've spoiled everything
Nuns can never walk all this
way!"
your mother isn't sick, is she?"
Babs gasped. She twisted the reins
about the whip and jumped down,
with the feeling that horror was
piling on horror.
Her fears were partially re-
lieved by the appearance of wom-
an who stepped out of the car to
meet her. She was frail looking,
but the quick energy with which
s she t0IE in the situation was reas-
mo use crying over split milk"
she said. 1--WE could have made
the grade if we hadn't had to stop,
but we can never start up now.
You'll have to unharness and lead
the horses back to wherever you
came from"
II can't go back!" Babs burst
out in angry rebellion. What ever
possessed you to bring a car up
this road?"
CIT was pretty crazy" the woman
- admitted, "but I reckon we're
two of kind. I had to get to my
husband"
ooh" Babs swallowed hard. "Is
he sick?"
mo; just couldn't stand being
away any longer" The woman
looked quickly from Babs' flushed
face to the bags under the seat of
the blackboard, and back again.
Reckon you must be Ted Raw
Inns wife," she said. where's Ted?"
Hes coming down tomorrow.
We're going to Omaha for month"
A note of defiance crept into Babs'
voice at the unspoken criticism in
the keen gray eyes fixecl on her.
Tied leaving the range now!" the
other calculated. IT don't believe
It'll"
why shouldn't hep" A feeling
she couldn't analyze stung Babs to
justify herself. I'VE can afford to
hire some one to take his place until
he gets back"
Hire some one!" Babs flinched
before the tone. She felt a guilty
relief to have the accusing eyes shift
to the boy behind her. Go up and
hold those horses for the lady,
Jack" his mother ordered. She
waited until he was out of hearing,
then turned back to Babs.
Its none of my business" she
said in a crisp, staccato voice, "but
I'm going to have my say, anyway.
I'm Hilda Sawyer. Our ranch is five
miles beyond yours. I had an oper-
alton last fall, and the doctors made
me stay in town with my folks"
NOV that I'm better, I couldn't
L y stand the thought of John
struggling all alone through the
worst season of the whole year. Hire
somebody's Do you suppose any
hired man is going to fight for the
lives OF those poor begged down
beasts, while the boss is off enjoy
ing himself? No cattleman who's
worth his salt would leave his herds
to hired help at this tirnel
Jack and I decided we'd take the
car as far as We could, and then
walk. when it stalled. And we're
blocked because you're running
away!" She paused, then added, eve
all said Ted should never have mar
ried a city girl"
Babs anger shriveled under the
scorn of those blazing eyes.
In binding flash her act stood
out in clear perspective. All her
befuddled self-pity fell away, and
she saw herself as this woman saw
her; as Ted would see her, when he
read that letter.
Hilda Sawyer watched with eagle
eyes, the changing expression of
Babs' mobile face.
I'VE must unharness the horses
and take turns riding back" Babs'
voice broke the silence at last. 'You
and Jack must spend the night with
us. Tomorrow Ted will get you to
your ranch"
The older woman leaned forward
and kissed her.
Il take it back" she said gently.
Ted knew what he was doing after
ALL"
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