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Dale's horse, a little in advance, sailed over a ditch Ranger rassy tufts and fell Helen shot over his head She struck lengthwise, her ar i in her ears; she felt the wet grass under her face and then the strong hands that lifted her Dale loo down to look into her face; Bo was clutching her with frantic hands And Helen could only gasp Her breast seemed caved in The need to breathe was torture

"Nell!--you're not hurt You fell light, like a feather All grass here You can't be hurt!" said Dale, sharply

His anxious voice penetrated beyond her hearing, and his strong hands went swiftly over her ar for broken bones

"Just had the wind knocked out of you," went on Dale "It feels awful, but it's nothin'"

Helen got a little air, that was like hot pin-points in her lungs, and then a deeper breath, and then full, gasping respiration

"I guess--I'm not hurt--not a bit," she choked out

"You sure had a header Never saw a prettier spill Ranger doesn't do that often I reckon ere travelin' too fast But it was fun, don't you think?"

It was Bo who answered "Oh, glorious! But, gee! I was scared"

Dale still held Helen's hands She released the up at him The ue, sweet uncertainty, beco and present This accident had been a sudden, violent end to the wonderful ride But its effect, the knowledge of what had got into her blood, would never change And inseparable from it was this man of the forest