e excitedly. "She was just as cool as a cucumber. Think of her

r sharp way, "that Ruthie Fielding cannot v

k you," rejoined Helen, somewh

was not to quarrel with the rather caustic lame girl. Mercy's affliction, which still somewhat troubled her,

s and all that after seeing that horrid black bull charge our

ld that girl we wo

that Wonota shoot for

the automobile now," went on Helen,

omes 'Silas Simpkins, the straw

g. He assured them that "that critter" was

bull is jest as much excited by this here Wild West Show a

aid Ruth. "Your bull did

mer hastily. "I thought you did, but

to meet another motor-car party that was at

to the ticket wagon that was gaily painted with the s

ticket window with the crowd. "I certainly should pa

to tell the truth, I think the owner of the

om many other towns and hamlets. This afternoon performance attracted many women and children, and when the four young

the Wild West Show fans. And the program of Dakota Joe's show was much like that of similar exhibitions. He had some "real cowboys" and "sure-enough Indians," as well as employees who were not thus advertised. The steers turned loose for the cowboys to

ted. The announcer (Dakota Joe himself, on horseback and wearing hair to his shoulders à la

x-gun. To-day the new West produces a rifle shot that equals Wild Bill Hickok, Colonel Cody himself, or Major Lillie. And to show that the new West, ladies and gentlemen, is right up to the minute in

ident tune, and on a "perfect love of a white po

Indian girl's pulse or to change her staid expression. Yet the girls noticed that Dakota Joe spurred his big hors

" exclaimed Helen. "H

Ruth rejoined, for she was a keen observer. "I s

or that Dakota Joe," added

ly angry with the Indian girl, struck the white pony sharply with his whip. The po

st thrown from the saddle. But the next instant she had tightened the pony's rein, haule

the Osage tongue in any case. But with the words the Indian girl thrust forward the light rif

was not alone in thus giving

shoot him?" dra

ather shakingly, as the Indian girl wheeled

with me," gasped Jennie Stone. "She mu

son would have deserved little sympathy if she

than ever now. There must be some mystery regarding her connect

g!" agreed Jennie, li

howed it. Having ridden to the proper spot, she wheeled the white pony again and faced the p

pulled in his horse, scowled across the ring at Wonota, and beckoned one of the cowb

Stone. "He's afraid she might chang

h. "Somebody might

ook them to the string and set the string to swinging. Then he threw gla

his was not because of her own nervousness. Since the pony had been cut with Dakota Joe's w

last person to admit this. He showed m

targets, for he became rather wild. He threw a glass ball so far to one side that to have shot at it would have endangered the sp

I'll say!" ejaculated

eled his spirited horse, and, holding the ball at arm's

her breath. "He is go

ulated Mercy Curtis

dian girl whipped up the muzzle of her rifle and seemed to take deli