The Mysterious Rider

n her life had she hated the rising of the sun. Resolutely she put the past behind her and faced the future, believing no

en for weeks. He informed her that Jack had ridden off early for Kr

goin' to drive you to Kremmlin' an' ther take stage fer Denver. I allow you'd better put in your best licks

y. "I never thought of clothes. And

in' to be married!" e

ke me to Kremmling? I can't ma

thought of thet. But you can

laid out all her wearing apparel. Taking stock of it this way caused her further dismay, for she had nothing fit to wear in which either to be married or to tak

egan to hope that being good and steadfast and dutiful would earn her a little meed of happiness. Some haunting doubt of this flashed over he

tive bridegroom did not return from Kremmling on the second day.

mbine rode out for some needed exercise. Pronto not being available, she rode another mustang and one that kept her busy. On the way back to the ranch she avoided the customary trail which led by the cabins of Wade

agon. Her mustang reared, almost unseating her. But she handled him roughly,

et. "You're sure learning to handle a horse--since I left this here ranc

t his admiring speech, ha

lared Columbine

mad at?" qu

ly at him. Moore still looked pale and drawn

to speak to a fe

ou, Wils?"

a club-footed has

names," rejoined Columbine, peevishly. "

. My foot is fine. Now, if I don't hurt

areful," she s

ith nothing to do but read! That's what knocked me out. I wouldn't have m

in?" she quer

ixed up the cabin for me. That Wade is sure a good fellow. And say! what he can do with his hands

s, were you unhappy?

ect of a cowboy who'd cripple

looked from Wilson to the wagon. It contained saddles, blankets,

too bad both came at once. It seems to me if I were a cow

ew, all right," he s

he didn't!" cr

d, with feigned surprise. He

e. I'm the g

lp me!" replied Moore

--you never told me," falte

what? That you

t that you-

ou--let you see--in every way u

d Columbine, feeling as if

I love

" whispered Col

been so innocent--so blind you

She broke off dazedly, overwhel

ld it have made

ference in the w

ce?" he asked,

young man. She did not know how to tell him wh

her to listen. Then she heard r

here wasn't any one here when I arrived. Reckon I ought

d, with a sharp resentment attending this

he courtyard and hauled up short with a recklessness he was not

on just this," he

was fixed on her face, with its

en crying about

been," sh

to the cowboy. Columbine became aware then that Jack was under the influ

he asked, wheel

ing. The leap of thought and blood to Jack's face gave her

ade paler. He gathered up h

ft in the bunk," he said, coolly. "Happened t

king love to Columbine. I saw that in her face. You kno

ning white. "I did tell Columbine what I though

t to hear it. But I'm go

cowboy, dropping his re

in there," went on Belllounds, and he reach

This stuff's mine, every stra

wagon and looked up wit

u. I think you'd steal anyt

assionate little cry

how dar

Go in the hous

she replied, in b

go in?"

I w

n he turned to the cowboy. "Moore, show up that wagon-load

. "And I'll give you a hunch. You'd better shut up yourself a

and with a sudden jerk pulled

re to search the wagon was only a pretense, for while he pulled at this and that his evil gaze was on the cowboy, keen to meet any move that might give

the reins," he said. "I'm lame

el, pushed her hack with masterful hand. Opposition to him was like waving a re

'll teach you who's boss h

too far!" burs

utch, he hobbled to where Belllounds had thrown the reins, and stooped to pick them u

a leaf. "You smooth-tongued liar! I'm on to your game. I know you'd put her against me. I know you'd try to win her--less than a week before her wedding-day.... But it's not for that I'm goin

nkness in Belllounds's tirade. Only when calm could his mind be capab

k up this way against a one-legged man,"

unds, and swinging his arm, he slapped Moore so that it nearly to

she uttered a low cry, and she seemed suddenly rooted to the spot, weak,

acking a gun," said Moore, grimly. "But yo

Belllounds, and this time he swung h

d man means to give you. You're not drunk. You're only ugly--mean. You've got a chance now to lick me because I'm crippled. And you're going to make the most of it. Why, you cur, I could come near licking you with only one leg. But

bawled Belllounds

lculated upon. Belllounds ran around the cowboy, and suddenly plunged in to grapple with him. The crutch descended, but t

over, first one on top, then the other. But the advantage of being uppermost presently was Belllounds's. Moore was weakening. That became noticeable more and more after each time he had wrestled and rolled about. Then Belllounds, getting this position, lay with his weight upon Moore, holding him down, and at the same time kicking with all his might. He was aiming to disable the cowboy by kicking the injured foot. And he was succeeding. Moore let out a strangled cry, and struggled desperately. But he was held and weighted down. Belllounds raised up now and, l

clamped her cloven tongue. Wildly she screamed. Old Bill Belllounds appear

ling Wilson!"

evil!" roare

ed, he was not a pleasant sight for even the father. Moore lay unconscious, wit

d Bill. "You didn't pick

k Belllounds did not answer. He was in the grip of a passion that had at last been wholly unle

, Moore," he panted

t beside him. Columbine came running to fall

cried Columbine. "Oh--he's

ething in his kind tone, in his look, in his presence, that calmed C

, and with a strange, hot, bursting sensation, strong and thrilling, she put that red place to her lips. Run

ckon," rep

the bloody face. It was battered and bruised and cut, and in some

rol and understanding. When at last Wilson opened his eyes, fluttering at first, and then wide, she felt a s

voice. "He kept kicking my sore foot--ti

ncher, brokenly, "but I reckon he's damn little t

e excuse for going off his head. He caught me--talking sweet to Columbi

rds, and presently he turned away, sagging

was helped to an upright position, and with considerable difficulty was

you're upset, which ain't no wonder. But now you brace. It might have

wan smile at her. "

r? Me?"

g into you--and bringing all this distress--to you.

h her eyes straight upon his. "I'm glad.... But o

it," interr

oin' somethin'," said W

and rich in her voice. "Yes, I'm bent-

room with heaving breast and flashing eyes. Manifestly the rancher was

, "you're not half a man....

scorn and passion in her gaze, and then sh