The Prairie Detective: Secret Service Series No. 24 — page 52: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

50 THE PRAIRIE DETECTIVE. filed out of the main street upon the prairie stretch- ing miles away to the westward. Their progress was slow and without organization at first; but gradually, as they went ahead, the line assumed more regularity of motion, and with that, of course, a faster gait. The sisters, fresh and rosy in their pretty brown riding dresses, were the center of attraction to all the men, each of whom seemed determined that no effort should be spared to make the journey pleasant for them. These attentions were very agreeable to Hsther and Marian, for where is your young woman who does not enjoy a little of the flattery which such special and marked kindnesses imply. | During the afternoon the sisters became separated. A tall, dark-haired man reined his horse to the side of Marian, and the two fell into conversation. The girl did not like this fellow, and her greeting was not what might be called cordial. He, however, did hot seem inclined to resent the rebuff she gave him, but began to talk in a subdued tone, though with a vehement manner. He was not a remarkably handsome man. He was long and. lank, and his face was thin and hatchet-shaped. His yellow, cadaverous skin seemed to fairly cling to his bones, and flesh was ag scarce upon his frame as if he had been a boarding-house turkey; and there was a kind of lowering, unreli- able glance in his eyes which indicated a fickle and untrustworthy disposition. Marian disliked this man intensely, principally because he seemed deter- mined to pursue her through all time with a passion which she could not and would not reciprocate. On the morning in question they spoke for some Eomicbooks €Oo