ts lead by desperate, agonizing effort, and the woman
knew that the summit would have exhausted its resources.

On they went, on and up, the pace of both ever slackening. One hundred
yards only separated them now, and, with almost every stride, the
distance was lessening. The summit was in sight. The pony was blowing
hard. Effie urged him, and the vicious Mexican spurs found his flanks.
There was no thought of sparing in the girl's mind. If the broncho
failed her, then she must finish the chase on foot.

Another fifty yards or so and the deer would have reached the summit.
Could she permit it? Dared she risk what lay beyond? If the open pine
woods continued she might, but--what lay beyond?

Without further speculation she suddenly flung out of the saddle. Her
decision was taken. She dared not risk that summit with her pony now
rapidly failing. She must chance her own unsteadiness. The pursuit
had been hard and breathless. Well, she must trust to her nerve.

She left her steaming pony and dropped on one knee. With all her mind
and will concentrated she drew a deep breath as the rifle was raised to
her shoulder. With a stern deliberation she leveled her sights and
fired. The spent deer stood, and shook, and then gazed round. There
was something dreadful in the appeal of its wistful attitude. For one
second the woman closed her eyes. Then they opened, and their beauty
was full of resolve. Again the rifle was at her shoulder. Again the
sights were leveled. Again the weapon spat out its vicious pellet.
This time the weapon was lowered for good, and the movement was
inspired by the sight of the deer. It quietly dropped upon its knees
and rolled over on its side.

Ten minutes later the body of the deer was securely lashed to the back
of the saddle. There was no regret in the heart of the woman as her
practised fingers secured the warm body. It was game. Fair game,
brought down in open chase, and it would provide welcome change in the
monotonous diet of her home. Besides, the spirit of the hunter gripped
her soul. It was the only thing which made life endurable in these
drab outlands.

At the summit of the hill she breathed a sigh of relief. Her judgment
and decision were amply proved. Nor in any uncertain fashion. The
woods ceased in a clean cut, such as is so frequently the case where
the pine world reigns. And rearing blankly before her gaze stood a
dense barrier of low and heavy green bu