Annie Wright School - Shield Yearbook (Tacoma, WA)

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H Y A K 13 was delighted to see her, but she was far from glad to meet him again. Towards the end of the evening, they found themselves in a corner of the conservatory. “Fritzi,” he began, “I have asked you three times to become my wife. You have refused. I ask you again. You must marry me! I cannot live without you!” “Mr. Moreland, I have given you my final answer to that ques- tion!” Rising to go. “Please do not trouble me with your atten- tions again. And now, will you take me back to Mrs. Dawson ?” This he did with as good grace as possible, but there gleamed in his eyes a dark , angry look. It almost said, “You’ll be sorry, my lady!” Some minutes later, a messenger brought a telegram for Mr. Moreland. When he was alone, he opened it. “Police on tracks. Your last deal found out. A Friend.” After reading this, he hastened to his hostess and explained that the telegram made it necessary for him to leave immediately. As he passed Fritzi, he whispered, “You will hear from me again!” He secured a horse, and taking with him only as much money as was necessary, set out across the country. After a few days, he was captured by a band of outlaws. Like a flash the thought came to him — “I’d be safe from the police with them.” Then he said aloud, “Come on! I guess I am about as desperate as you all. Take me in.” So they did not harm him. but took him into their midst. Within three weeks’ time he was the leader of their gang. ••••• • About four weeks after the Dawson’s ball, Mr. Maynard and his daughter left Victoria to go home. A few days later, Fritzi declared her intention of riding over to the home of a friend, about twenty miles distant and remaining there for a short visit. At first, her father objected, thinking it not safe for her to ride alone across such a wild country, but finally gave his consent. So next morning, after bidding her father a hasty farewell, she mounted her pony and rode away. About noon, she found herself crossing a barren space of desert land. Looking about, she saw to the right the distant moun- tains and to the left, not more than twenty-five feet away, a long line of low, thick bushes. At this instant, she heard the measured beat of horses’ hoofs behind her and, turning, she perceived a man gal- loping towards her. As he drew near, to her horror, she recognized — Dick Moreland ! What could he be doing in that part of the country f Before she had time to let her thoughts run very far, he had come

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12 HY AK “Very well. You may come here today at three o’clock to receive the papers and further instructions.” Four weeks later, Dick Moreland was sitting in the lobby of the Hotel Bellevue, in Victoria, trying to interest some of the listeners in his mines. • ••••••• It was June, a year after Fritzi’s arrival in Australia. The girl was happy in her home — except for one thing — the lack of a mother. But most of her life had been spent away from her mother, and she and her father were such good friends that, after a year, she was almost reconciled to her loss. On a beautiful afternoon, she and her father were sitting on the wide veranda, she reading and he smoking. As it was shearing time, Mr. Maynard had been very busy, but was taking this afternoon to rest. He broke the silence. “Well, little girl, I shall have to go to Victoria tomorrow. They will begin hauling the w’ool in tomorrow, and I must go to see about the weighing and selling. Would you care to go with me?” “Oh. Daddy, how I’d love to!” Fritzi exclaimed. “You are such a thoughtful Dad!” “All right! Will you be ready to start at half past six?” They arrived on the evening of the second day. Fritzi went to visit her friend Mrs. Prescott, where she remained during her stay in Victoria, while her father went to attend to the unloading of the wool. The next day another of Fritzi’s friends, a certain Mrs. Billie Dawson, met her on the street. After a few minutes, “Oh, Fritzi, you will come to dance to- night. to meet a young American friend of mine?” “Oh, what fun,” responded Fritzi. “I just feel like dancing!” Then, as Mrs. Prescott came by in her electric brougham. Fritzi bade her friend good-bye and jumped in beside her, without thinking to ask who the young friend was. Fritzi arrived at Mrs. Dawson’s about 9 o’clock. She had taken off her wraps and was fast being swallowed up in the giddy whirl of newly-made acquaintances and a few older friends. “Come, Fritzi,” said Mrs. Dawson, making her way through the crowd. “ ou must meet Mr. Moreland before all your dances are taken.” “Mr. Moreland! You don’t mean Dick Moreland, do you?” “Yes,” answered Mrs. Dawson. “You’re acquainted with him?” “Yes. indeed, if it’s the Dick Moreland I am thinking of.” It was the Dick Moreland that Fritzi had met in New York. He

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14 HY AK up beside her, thrown his arms around her, jerked her off her horse, onto his, and started off at a gallop. She struggled fiercely, but of no avail. When she saw that her struggles were useless, she turned her head and said haughtily, “Sir, what is the meaning of this outrageous conduct! Let me down at once!” “No, my lady. Now it is my turn to dictate the terms. Consent to become my wife; otherwise, your father’s ranch w r ill be destroyed aud he himself murdered.” She looked around to see if by any chance there was help in sight. What was that in the distance! A swiftly approaching horse- man! Oh! if only he could overtake them! Dick Moreland glanced over his shoulder and saw the same thing and spurred his horse to a swdfter gallop. Louder and louder grew the hoof-beats behind! Now he was close upon them! Fritzi, turning her head, could see him quite plainly now. Why — there was some- thing familiar about the horseman — yes — it was Sutherland! A glad cry broke from her lips. A quick glance showed Moreland that the pursuer was his old-time enemy. He pulled out his revolver wdth difficulty, as he was holding Fritzi with his right arm. Looking back once more, he saw that Sutherland had his revolver aimed. In an instant, he had turned his horse to the right, and at the same time had pulled the girl more closely to him, thus using her as a means of defense. Safe behind Fritzi, he lifted his own revolver and aimed, but she, putting all her strength in the effort, freed one arm and knocked the revolver from his hand. It went off before she could realize what had happened. Moreland fell from his horse, taking her with him. She rose slowly, unhurt, but saw that Moreland was unconscious. Sutherland had come up by this time. He jumped from his horse and rushed to her. In a few sentences she told him what had happened. Then they turned to the unconscious man. Blood was pouring from the wound in his side. Sutherland drew a flask of brandy from his pocket and put it to Moreland’s lips. Slowly he opened his eyes. He tried to speak, and finally managed to say: “Fritzi! Jack! Forgive me!” He took Fritzi’s hand, placed it in Sutherland’s and said, “I am sorry for what I have done, and I — did — love — you !”