Motion Picture Story Magazine (Feb-Jul 1911)

34 THE MOVING PICTURE STORY MAGAZINE suggested that he might like to take a ride himself. Bob eagerly accepted the invitation, and a little later he commanded the respect of the cowboys by not "grabbing leather/7 when the usually quiet horse took it into his head to do a little pitching. The only result was to dislodge a sombrero several sizes too small. Jones offered to see if he could find a larger one, and with an impatient "All right," Bob tossed the hat to one of the men and headed his horse after Flora. Someone called after him but he did not hear what they said. All that was important was that Flora was far ahead. He had not thought it possible that the sun could be so hot. It beat cruelly upon his unprotected head, and soon his handkerchief was soaked with perspiration. But now Flora was scarcely a quarter of a mile ahead, and Bob pressed on, tho his head was swimming, and only a perfect seat enabled him to keep in the saddle. The girl, unconscious of having been followed, turned carelessly as she heard the beat of hoofs, but her face went white as she saw the rider reel in the saddle and fall limply forward. The startled pony wheeled and broke into a gallop and Flora put the spurs to her own horse and followed. The way was rough and there was no telling when that limp form might fall from the saddle to find death under the flying hoofs. It was a hard ride but she won, and pulled up the horse at a water hole not a mile away. She was surprised to find that it was the valet, but pity was her uppermost emotion, and she soon had him out of the saddle and in the cool shade where she bathed the fevered head, and used her own sombrero as a fan. Bob quickly recovered consciousness, but he found her tender ministrations very comforting, and he was quite willing to obey her injunction to lie still until he was better. He was willing to lie there all clay but she was anxious to get him to the house where more effective aid could be rendered and, half supporting him,, she led him to his pony and helped him into the saddle. Then, with the reins within easy reach, she led him toward the ranch. Jones and Jenkins were sitting on the porch of the ranch house as they rode up, and Jones hurried forward with real concern to lift Bob from the saddle. His action was so different from his merciless joking over Jenkins' laments at the hard ride he had taken, that the valet scowled. He, too, had fallen in love with Flora, and it was bitterness to think that the master, in spite of the masquerade, held the inside track. He was of little importance until after Bob had been made comfortable, and the further affront to his dignity only added fuel to the flame of his love. Perhaps it was that which rendered him reckless of consequences when, the following afternoon, he came upon Flora at the water hole where the day before she had rescued Bob. With a blush of maidenly shame she recalled the scene to her mind, and thought of how gratefully he had held her hand, longer, perhaps, than mere gratitude required. The soft flush that mantled her cheek at the thought made her more beautiful than ever, and Jenkins, coming suddenly upon her, lost his head completely. In impassioned speech he told her of his love and begged her to elope with him. She shrank back from his intemperate declarations. She knew that Ford had been sent to the ranch to avoid drink. • It seemed as tho he must have obtained some from the cowboys in spite of the strict rules. Thoroly alarmed, she sprang to her feet and tlenkins clasped her in his arms; when an unexpected thing happened. As tho in answer to her cry, Bob came upon the scene and with an exclamation of anger threw the valet to the ground. Jenkins rose with a snarl, thinking it one of the cowbovs; but at the sight of Bob he cringed. "Get out," commanded Bob briefly. For a moment Jenkins hesitated. He had a wild notion of defying Bob and refusing to go ; but habit is strong, and with an unconscious salute he