The Trail to Yesterday

most appalling of these thoughts developed from a realization of the fact that she had lost the trail. The whole categorical array of inconveniences incidental to traveling in a new, uns

gallop over the dim plains. But as she drew her pony up on the crest of the rise a rumble of thunder reached her ears. Of course it would rain, now that she had los

manager of the Double R-who should have sent someone to meet her at the station; the station agent-who had allowed her to set forth in search of the Double R without a guide,-though even now, considering this phase of the situatio

of the country had been one of deep disappointment. There was plenty of it, she had decided,-enough to make one shrink from its very bigness; yet because it was different from the land she had been accustomed to she felt that so

e the only growing thing in the country capable of defying the heat and the sun. Most of all she hated the alkali dust. All afternoon she had kept brushing it off her clothing and clearing it out of

were scurrying, wind-whipped, spreading fan-like through the sky, blotting out the colors of the sunset, darkening the plains, creating weird s

get just as wet here as we would anywhere else." She was surprised at the queer quiver in her voice. She wa

agent for providing her with so reliable a beast. There was one consoling fact at any rate,

A flash of lightning suddenly illuminated the sky, showing Sheila a great waste of world that stretched to four horizons. It revealed, in the distance, the naked peaks of some hills; a few frowning buttes that seemed to fringe a river; some gullies in which lurk

ing in these things, she decided-they were rough themselves and they made the mistake of thinking that great, grim things were attractive. What beauty was there, for instance, in a country where there was nothi

han she. She found herself wondering why she had not thought of that before-when, for example, a few miles back she had deliberately guided it out of

ing her arms and shoulders. The pony's neck and mane became moist under her hand, the darkne

d appreciably and she felt herself settling back against the cantle of the saddle. A little later she realized that they were going down the opposite side of the rise, and a moment later they were again on a level. A deeper blackness than they had yet encountered rose on their right, and Sheila correctly decided it to be caused

point just ahead on the trail, came an answering nicker in the horse language. Sheila's pony cavorted nervously and broke into a lope, sharper this time in spite of the tight rein she kept on it. Her fear grew, though mingling

adual turn, following a bend in the river. Then came a flash of lightning and she saw, a short distance ahead, a pony and rider, stationary, watching. With an effort

oat. Doubt and fear assailed her. What if the man did not belong to the Double R? What if he were a road agent-an o

e said. "It

escape the danger that seemed to threaten. While she watched he shoved the broad brimmed hat back from his forehead. He was not over five feet distant from her; she could feel her pony nuzzling his with an inquisitive muzzle, and she could dimly see the rider's face. It belonged to

stampeded off y

Sheila. The voice was v

red now that the stranger gave promise of being none of the dire figures of her

nexpressively;

ot see his face for he had bowed his head a

e R ranch is?" There was a s

voice. "It's up t

w f

ty mi

lack of interest in her welfare, moved her, though she might have left the man out of it, for certainly he could not be held responsible. Yet his nonchalance, his serenity-something about him-irritated her. Didn't he know she was getting wet? Why didn't he offer her shelter? It did not occur to

pretty, of course, but it'll keep you from getti

d the tarpaulin around her shoulders. Then it suddenly occ

I can't take this. You hav

her. "That's all right;

again. He broke

ou figuring

ride through a strange country in a drenching rain was

ed, no way of escape from t

ed. It's a bad trail. Or"-he continued, hesitating a little and app

d beset her. She had been afraid that he might prove to be an irresponsible wanderer, but when a man kept a

as not afraid of the stranger now, for in spite of his easy, serene movements, his quiet composure, his suppressed amusement, Sheila detected a note in his voice which told her that he was deeply concerned over her welfare-even thoug

u please hurry? I am getting wet

yish-white hue, and the rain was coming down in torrents. Sheila pulled the tarpaulin tighter about her shoulders and clung desperately to the saddle

ing closer, she saw a small cabin, of the lean-to type, constructed of adobe bricks. A dog barked in front of her and she heard the stranger speak sharply to it. He silently approached and helped her do

ar around the corner of the cabin and approach the door. He fumbled at it for a moment and threw it open. He disappeared within and an in

me

mustache did not quite conceal his lips, which were straight and firm. Sheila was a little disturbed over the hard expression in them, however, though she had heard that the men of the West lived rather hazardous lives and she supposed that in time their faces showed it. It was his eyes, t

ight and narrowed with an expression which was a curious mingling of quizzical humor and grim enjoyment. Her o

ith a suggestion of sarcas

adily, her spirit battling his over the few feet that separated t

got nerve, ma'am. I'm some pleased that you've got that much trust in me. You don't need to be scared. You're as safe here a

her. There was only one room in the cabin, but it was large-about twenty by twenty, she estimated. Beside an open fireplace in a corner were several pots and pans-his cooking utensils. On a shelf were some dishes. A guitar swung from a gaudy string suspen

against the glass in stinging slants, and watching it she found herself feeling very grateful to the man

he said. "There's a fireplace a

recklessness in his actions-as though his every movement advertised a careless regard for consequences. She held her breath when he split a short log into slender splinters, for he swung the short-handled axe with a loose grasp, as though he cared very little wher

at you've been used to, I expect. But it's a heap better than nothing, and I reckon you'll be able to get along." He turned an

dread of being alone filled her. "Wait!" sh

d back at her, an o

my b

ght she detected something subtle-untruthfulness perhaps. She glanced

to sleep in the

ation in her eyes a

itted, "I've d

hat I am driving you out into the storm. You might catch cold and die.

in his eyes. Standing there, framed in the darkness, the flickering light from the candl

fraid to stay here al

ly, "I am afraid. I do no

he first time she saw another at his hip. She repressed a desire

ch for looks, but it'll go right handy. Y

w how to use it if I had occasion to. I prefer

tainly would be some wet outside," he admitted. "It wouldn't be pleas

nd saddle. Without speaking a word to Sheila he laid the saddle dow

lence, during which Sheila sat on the edge of the bunk and rega

to have it

your

gainst fire. Then, when its position satisfied her she left the tab

rops that splashed against the window, listening to the fitful whining of the wind through the trees n

m the East,

es

he

w Y

it

ban

er fear she had had of the owner of the cabin had long ago been dispelled by his manner which, though puzzling, hinted of the gentleman. She would have li

you come ou

urse, that he should feel an interest in her; other men had been interested in her too, only they had not been men that lived in romantic wildernesses,-observe that she did not make use of

e gentleness of demeanor which, she had always been sure, merely masked their real characters. She had never been able to look squarely at any of those me

ted her-she could not admit that! But she had felt a sympathy for him in his loneliness, and she had looked into his eyes-had been able to look steadily into them, and though she had seen expressions that had puzzled her, she had at least seen nothing to cause her to feel any uneasi

glancing at him Sheila saw that he had raised himself so that

r a visit?"

know how long I shall stay. My

ake on this and Sheila's lips took on a decidedly petulant e

out?" There was sati

keen," sh

kled," h

interest into her eyes. "Then y

me keen too," came

d still supported his head and there was an unmistakable in

ing me your name? We ain't been

heila La

, his chin thrusting, his face pale, his eyes burning with a sudden fierce fire. Once he opened his lips to speak, but instantly closed them again, and a smile wreathed them-a mirthless smile tha

your fath

d. An uncommon midd

the white of cold ashes. His right hand, which had been resting carelessly on the blanket, was now gripping it, the

coming out

siness and is coming ou

siness w

ale har

though, fully satisfied with the result of his questioning, he intended going to sleep. For several minutes Sheila watched him with a growing curiosity. It was like a

ou?" she q

" he sai

zled. "That isn't a name; i

dy." There was a decid

actory, but she supposed it must answer. S

kot

e was some sort of a rancher-at the least a cowboy. It was also plain that he had been a cowboy before coming to

r real name," she

the drawl again. It i

she sn

good as any oth

er. Five minutes la