Hoofbeats on the Turnpike

GER OF

ding trail heavily canopied with yellowing maple leaves. Louise and Penny swished an

" Louise complained, ducking to avoid a tre

en't turned off the trail?" P

nimal was more easily managed than the skittish mare Louise had chosen

" Penny resumed. "He said to follow this tra

Louise interposed crossly. "How

ce we get down out of these hills into th

sheer torture instead of adventure. Her freckled face was blotched with mosquito bites. Every hairpin had been jol

rse quickened his step, weaving a corkscre

rew rein beside a huge, moss-covered rock. Below stretched a beautiful rich, green valley through which wound a flood-swoll

alley?" Penny asked, her interest rev

tossed the reins over a tree limb. Near by a spring gushed from between

nny went on eagerly. "It has a dreamy, drowsy atmospher

t face with a dampened handkerchief. Pulling off shoes and s

led on. "Why, the Indians considered these hills as the abode of Spirits. Someti

came the faint thud of hoofbeats. The girl's attention

ntly. "Don't try to tell me you've

n a horseman! My, c

turnpike fringed on either side with an old-fashioned rail fence. A horseman, mounted on a roan mare, rode bareback at a full run.

"What wouldn't I give to be able to ride l

, intending to remount her horse. She stared in astonishment.

" she demanded. "W

ay by the wi

y Parker! That stupid horse must have wandered off

l find the mare all right," she said

of the trail. Investigation did not disclose that the horse had gone th

e by this time," Louise declared crossly. "Such luck!" Sh

horse run off, Lou

I'm hungry and I wish I'd never come on this wild, silly cha

patted her chum's arm awkward

I'll simply bawl," she warned. "Wha

asy, Lou. We'l

Williams'

d after coming this far it would be fool

retorted. "But then I might know you'd insist on pushin

about that Headless

up from the rock. "I just came along beca

elta and try to get a

bed up behind Penny on Bones and they j

range things did happen in the Sleepy Hollow valley. The Spirit was supposed to wreak all sorts of vexations upon the inhab

n that way ever since you were born. There's a little spark-something deep within

s I sha

up some dandy news stories for your f

w s

here's no such thing as a Headless

dvertisement in the Ho

n. We don't know m

the wide turnpike. Before she could add more, L

nny! Someon

ofbeats. Their hope that it might be White Foot was quickly dashed. A moment later

uspected that they presented a ridiculous sight as they rocked along on B

reeping above her knees. "He's laughing

sideways glance. The young man was dark-haired, about twenty-six and very good looking. Hi

diately nudged her in the ribs, a silent warn

nion. He wore whipcord riding breeches and highly polished boots. From the well-tailored

by any chance, are you?

t of the sky. "Oh, we are!" she

white foot? Her

ise exclaimed joyfully. "The

t five minutes ago. Like enough she

d to find the old man who had visited the Star office,

m live near her

he pike. Want me to ride a

e offer. However, they both thought that the young man merely was makin

horse turn in at the Malcom place.

id lightly. "From what we hear, this valley is q

gave her an

ed. "Silas used to own that horse. All hors

t," Louise contri

e young man resumed. "Name's Joe Quig

her, she gave their own names. She added that they had come to the

rmaster?" Quigley

or the fun of it. Is it true that some prank

nkst

to resemble the Headl

gy nights the old Galloping Hessian does ride down out of the hills. But then there are folks who cl

ver actually se

ful interval he admitted: "Well, one night o

?" Louise as

llside. "See that big boulder

were there only

e place a spooky look. Years ago a tramp was killed

you saw?" P

turnpike when I chanced to glance up toward that big rock. I saw

less Horseman

I imagined it only I heard clattering hoofbeats

hat?" ask

id to be bewitched! That's

us," she accused. "I suppose it does sound silly to

might pay you a compliment by saying you impress me as ve

don't think we

Penny. "You see, I know who you are. You're Anthony Parker's da

for she had not menti

s. "Here's my tip. No one ever will collect Burmaster's rewa

he reward never w

shake of his head, he pointed down the pike

'm not mistaken your missing horse is gra

ount. The next instant horse and rider had crashed thr