resh breeze which, she saw,
was tearing the low-hung clouds to shreds. And in the east a rosy spot in
the fog announced the presence of the sun himself, ready to burst through
the fleecy veil and smile once more upon the world.

The trees and brush dripped upon the fallen leaves. For days the park
caretakers had been unable to rake up these, and they had become almost a
solid pattern of carpeting for the lawns. And down here in the
bridle-path, as she cantered along, their pungent odor, stirred by the
hoofs of her mount, rose in her nostrils.

This wasn't much like galloping over an open trail on a nervous little
cow-pony. But it was both a bodily and mental relief for the outdoor girl
who had been, for these past weeks, shut into a groove for which she was
so badly fitted.

She saw nobody on horseback but a mounted policeman, who turned and
trotted along beside her, and was pleasant and friendly. This pleased
Helen; and especially was she pleased when she learned that he had been
West and had "punched cows" himself. That had been some years ago, but he
remembered the Link-A--now the Sunset--Ranch, although he had never worked
for that outfit.

Helen's heart expanded as she cantered along. The sun dispelled the mist
and shone warm upon the path. The policeman left her, but now there were
other riders abroad. She went far out of town, as directed by the officer,
and found the ride beautiful. After all, there were some lovely spots in
this great city, if one only knew where to find them.

She had engaged a strong horse with good wind; but she did not want to
break him down. So she finally turned her face toward the city again and
let the animal take its own pace home.

She had ridden down as far as 110th Street and had crossed over into the
park once more, when she saw a couple of riders advancing toward her from
the south. They were a young man and a girl, both well mounted, and Helen
noted instantly that they handled their spirited horses with ease.

Indeed, she was so much interested in the mounts themselves, that she came
near passing the two without a look at their faces. Suddenly she heard an
exclamation from the young fellow, she looked up, and found herself gazing
straight into the handsome face of Dudley Stone.

"For the love of heaven!" gasped that astonished young man. "It surely
_is_ Helen Morrell! Jess! See here! Here's the very nicest girl who ever
came out of Montana!"

Dud's sister--Helen knew sh