Bloomington High School, The Gothic, 1915, Page 17

Description:	SeventeenThe Gothicwaiting to swoop down from God knows where, any minute.I know you didnt have anything to do with that Edmontonaffair, but somebody says you did, and you havent got anyreal proof thatd be worth a damn, that you didnt. Be-sides, theyve got that silver-mounted pop-gun, with yourname on it, and whoever did the killing shot that feller withit. Why you ever carried that thing, I dont know, but I doknow that youre ripe to swing for it; and it aint even amans size gun! The half-breed was plainly out of temper.Jeans eyes narrowed, and a stern, hard look was on hisface as he said: If I ever have half a chance to find outwho accused me of that Edmonton business, Im going tosend him to hell so quick, hed-- Come, lets have break-fast. We ought to be riding borderwards right now.* * * * * * * * A girl on a rangy skewbald rode with her chin on hershoulder, ever keeping her eyes on the trail down which shehad come.Oh Pal! Pal! Cant you go a little faster? Im sohungry and tired and scared, she begged.The skewbald was worn out, too. He walked with hishead drooping and stumbled now and then.Pal! exclaimed the girl. I see some smoke overthere! Theres somebody feeding horses! Oh, Pal! Theylltell us the way home, I know!She dismounted and, after encouraging the tired animalwith a few pats, led him in the direction of the campfire, inthe distance. * * * * * * * *Rene Feroux, glancing up from the pan of bacon he wasfrying, saw the head of a skewbald horse appear aroundthe turn in the trail.Jeon ONeill saw it, too. Both crouched, ready to drawand fire at any moment.A girls voice broke the stillness.Were almost there, Pal! I can smell the bacon frying.Dont it smell good?The horse and the girl were in plain sight now. ONeilllaughed a little.Fool, hissed the half-breed. Its a trap.Aw, shut up, Rene. Youre always hunting trouble.Jean rose and went to meet the girl, who had drawnback a little, frightened at the look on the half-breeds face.Good morning, Miss, said Jean, raising his hat. MayI be of any service to you?The girl looked from the half-breeds face to Jeans.I--Im lost, she said. Ive been riding nearly allnight, and Pals quite worn out. I dont know where I am,and Pal doesnt, either. We cant go any further, and I sawyour campfire, so I came to see if you could help me.Come, said Jean, gently, sit down by the fire. Renewill give you something to eat and Ill attend to your horse.Go ahead; Renes pretty savage-looking, but he wont hurtyou.Thank you, so much. She sat down near the fire.Rene dished up some breakfast for her and poured outa cup of coffee.Here, Mamselle. Im sure you must be hungry.Somewhere out of the dim past, the inborn courtesy ofhis French ancestors had come to the half-breed. He wasnot always so; indeed, he had the reputation among thosewho knew him best of being more of a brute than a man--an animal like the lynx, and so they called him Le Lou-cine.Im so hungry that I dont know what to do, announcedthe girl. I havent had a thing since supper last night. Istarted out to ride after supper and got lost, and Ive beenwandering around ever since.Is your horse new to the country? inquired Feroux.I dont know, the girl told him. I am, though. Theysaid at the Diamond C ranch that he was a safe horse fora woman to ride, so I took him.Feroux left her alone and went over to where Jean was,with the horses.Shes from the Diamond C, up by Long Tims. We gotB. H. S. 1915Balogna links you and your dog.
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloom/id/1539
Collection:	Bloomington High School

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