Motion Picture Story Magazine (Feb-Jul 1912)

86 T8E MOTION PICTVM STOUT MAGAZINE daughter of the ranch — promptly fainted. Ann — child of the effete East — lifted her whip, crying out bravely : ' ' Stand back, you cowards ! Would you fight women ? ' ' "Nobody's goin' t' fight yeh, miss, ' ' laughed the larger of the men. "You're sorter spunky, aint yeh? But we need them hosses — git down ! ' ' Ann struggled in vain. In a moment she was lifted from her horse and was standing, unharmed, by the roadside, while the laughs of the men, galloping furiously away on their stolen steeds, floated derisively back to her. They had laid the fainting Dorothy on the grass, and Ann's first act was to bend over her, loosening her collar and fanning her with the broad-brimmed hat, which had fallen to the ground in the scuffle. They were some distance from home, and as the girl showed no sign of returning consciousness, Ann began to wonder what was best to do. All at once her face brightened, as a tall, straight figure came into view over the crest of the little hill they had passed. "Mr. Scott," she called, "oh, Mr. Scott, hurry up ! " He was beside her in a moment, listening to her excited explanations with a stern, troubled face. "I'm awful sorry, miss," he said, softly. "I hoped we were done with that kind of business in these parts. I didn't think there was a man in this State that would rob a woman. I'll carry Dorothy to my cabin — it's just over the hill. You two can stay there, and I'll send for her father. Dont worry, she will soon revive. ' ' Even in her worry and excitement, Ann felt a thrill of admiration as the strong man lifted Dorothy so easily and gently and started up the trail with her. As they came in sight of his shack and saw a group of horsemen clustered about the door, the woodsman's face darkened. "It's the boys," he muttered. "I wish they hadn't come just now. There'll be trouble when they hear what's happened." "How will there be trouble, Mr. Scott?" asked Ann, anxiously. * ' The fellows will want to take the law into their own hands." "But the thieves ought to be caught and punished," ventured Ann. "Yes — but it should be done lawfully, not by lynch law. We must have law and order before we can hope to have progress in this State. But when the boys hear of horsestealing— from women, at that — I'm afraid there will be no holding them." There were black looks, indeed, and loud, angry words when the cause of Dorothy's condition was made known. Then, while John Scott and Ann worked over the white-faced girl, bringing the color back to her cheeks and the light to her dazed eyes, the loud tones dwindled to angry mutterings, and when Scott stepped to the door at last, to announce Dorothy's recovery to the men, the place was deserted. ' The men and ^their horses were gone. "Miss Worth," Scott said, as he stepped back into the little room, "I've sent for Dorothy's father, and he'll be here in half an hour. He'll probably bring the sheriff and a posse with him. I'm going to follow the boys. Tell Mr. Fletcher the boys have all cleared out, and that I've gone after them, and they must follow me as quick as they can." He was off in an instant, buckling his cartridge belt about him as he swung into the saddle, and Ann turned a terrified face to Dorothy. "What does it mean?" she asked, fearfully. "He's going to try to stop a lynching," replied Dorothy. "Our boys are after the thieves. They wont be in any mood to listen to reason, either." She spoke without great concern. She was accustomed to the vicissitudes of Western life, and she had abundant faith in Scott's ability to take care of himself, but Ann was troubled. As she waited anxiously for Mr. Fletcher's arrival, her mind