The Crimson Thread: An Adventure Story for Girls

ther at noon. And Mounted Officer Patrick O'Hara, very young, quite handsome and somewhat dashing, received a smile

, there was one other thing that would have pleased her much more. She found herself longin

lone, head down, and patiently waiting. A glance down the street told her there had been an auto collision in the middle of the block; not a serious one probably, as th

ie breathed, her heart sk

its broad circle of brass and other trappi

pered, "but I do so want to. D

Patrick O'Hara's cap above the crowd. His back was turned. The temptation was no longer

d times," sh

arently remembered things about the past which she had quite forgotten, and with a wild snort his head went up, his four feet

all but thrown from the saddle. Apparently an experienced rider, she regained her balanc

ick! Who

it would not have had a different e

not on the program and one they would not soon forget-a hatless, coatless girl, hai

ving failed to see the on-coming charger, they would leap boldly before a slow-moving auto to give one startled look upward, then to register the blankest surprise and shy suddenly backward. Had it not b

olice horse swung o

arrest you!" sh

ny of fear lest Dick should trample someone und

s rival his head went higher, a great snort escaped his nostrils and he was away

shall I do!" g

e faster flew Dick's splendid limbs

hreatened to block his way, he whirled to a sid

, the Boulevard! W

as bees in clover, raced forward at twenty mile

aming, Dick, without slackening his pace, raced ahead of a yellow limousine, grazed a black sedan, sent a flivver to the curb, and wi

heading south along the narrow park that extended s

ckward look, gasped in

ain! You've got me in for

ed on his steed, came dashi

course to tempt anyone. Seeming to gain new strength from

out of it. For one thing, there were now no pedestrians to be run down. The park was deserted. For an

s a man of thirty-five or so, a stern minion of the law, and he was plainly angry. It had been he who had informed her on State Street that she was arrested. He had an unusually long nose-she remembered that. He rode a poor mount very badly indeed. The punishme

he easy grace of an aged and a young cowboy. She had seen some like that in the movies not so long ago. She fancied she saw a smile on the younger

brick structure, he appeared to assume that he had reached the goal. Dropping to a slow trot, he cir

we; and by a h

instead of a blue ribbon for you and a purse for me

foremost policeman, he of the long nose,

ll that smart,

Dick's rein such a yank as threw th

e. They might take her to jail and

lf. With a snort he leaped to one side, and jerking h

unawares, was thrown crashing to the ground.

ay about his temples, who, quickly di

ed in a tone that had

gone. She was not injured, but tears came trickli

farm. And I thought-thought it would be fun to just sit-sit a minute in his saddle. I tried it and I guess-guess he

y one, putting a fatherly hand on her sho

now stood smiling at them and appearing to wis

est mount on the force. And I'll tell you one thing, if we wai

, Dick was playing tag with him in a masterly fashion. He would stand with head down as if asleep until his pursuer was all but

uite close to her, Cordie suddenly put two fingers to her lips and let out a shrill w

ting him on the neck and not so muc

mumbled the yo

s," the old man smiled, "and I'll swear ther

nd to the one who came riding up. "You l

on," volunteered

ride back to your posts. I'l

ned. Hogan growled;

ride back," suggested

it, but he's had his race. Guess he'll be satisfied. But," he said

ck O'Hara's saddle, he helped her i

ight. Though quite different from the first, it was no less mystifying. Who ever heard of a gray haired policeman and a bobbed

o herself as she hid her face from a camera.

pacing his beat on foot. His face lit up w

er took Dick would bring him back. Can't any

st take any horse on the force, give this girl and Dick a three-length st

rinned as he hel

. "I suspect you work around here somewhere close. You've overdone

cover whether or not he was in earnest. The