Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1854-03-16

his crashing through the bushes ceased,
and his race seemed to be run. The
hunter drew his knife from his belt. and
pushed bis way through the brush toward
The spot where he had las, heard the
rus,lng of tho bushes; but, as he came
within the open space beneath The trees,
his limbs were paralyzed and his blood
frozen BY the scene before him.
The young girl. whom we saw avoid.
ing him, stood, ghas,ly with horror, con-
vulsiveiy grasping with one hand bush
TOO small to protect her, and with the
other fran,ically, though muiely, beckon-
ing the frightlul brute away. Directly
before her, with his feet drawn under
him, as if preparing for the deadly rush,
stood the fierce animal, enraged by his
wound. and ready to wreak his vengeance
on the first human form in his path. -
His head was drawn down between his
fore feet. his long, sharp horns proje citing
far before him; his bloodshot and fiery
eyes strained upward tow ard his victim,
shone with the widest glare. while ev-
cry hair upon his body was raised and
bris,ling with his savage fury. One
plunge. and Ellen Lowden's buoy an,
life must end.
Thornton's gun was empty; but, far
worse than this. his presence of mind
was gone, and he stood as if ,ransfixeG.
His own life he valued less than one hair
OF tina, fair head, and no man possessed
more steady courage; but his hear, stood
still, and his hand was idle, while the
deadly monster slowly gathered himself
for the charge. Even those appealing
eyes, which almost started from their
sockets, and those blanched and quiver-
ing lips, which in vain essayed to call
on him for help. could not break the spell
upon his limbs.
The brute drew himself back almost
upon his launches for the plunge--an.
other moment, and his irightlul antlers
would have pierced the helpless form
before. The crack of rifle rang sharp
and clear upon the morning air--.he
deer sprang with spasm from The
ground and fell at Ellen's feet, shot ,hro'
the very centre of the brain.
The reaction was 100 great; Ellen was
about to fall to the ground, when tall,
athletic young man sprang from the
,hicket. from whence the opportune
shot had come. and, casting his rifle to
one side. grasped the sinking girl and
drew her !enderly 10 his arms. Thorn.
ton, q, las, freed from the spell OF hor-
ror. hastily advanced. but he received a
cold glance from Ellen's soon ayerted
eye; and, as her deliverer seated her
reluctantly upon the sward. there passed
between lhsm long look Of deep and
earnest meaning, which gave Thornton
far more pain than i. could have given
them Of pleasure.
"You come too late to be Of much
service, | believe, Mr.. Thornton" said
the other, as he musely and .imidly of.
tered his assistance; 'unless," he added,
"you could take this knife and bleed that
buck little"
An indignant glance was Thorn,on's
only reply TO this insolent speech, and
he turned to Ellen.
"Are you going home Ellen!' he ask
ed; "for | am bound thilher, and have
something 10 say to vou."
MOT" she replied, in voice of grea,
sweetness, "until | have thanked Mr..
TiIford for his timely interference. Aud
you ought to thank him also.--,ha, is. if
what you have 10 say is of much impor-
lance; for. had he no, been present, prob
ably you would never have had the op-
poltunity you seek"
severity in her voice, which brought the
blood man.ling to Thorn,on's forehead;
but Tilford in,erposed.
"Thornton's gun was empty" he said.
"and he was too much startled by YOUR
presence 10 act with promp,ness. for. L
suppose. he was not expecting you. as
was"
"As you were!" exclaimed Ellen,
now rising to her feet, but smiling arch
ly and in,elligently in his face. "Why,
what righ, had you to expect me!'
Tilford laughed quietly. and said. as
he turned away. shear what Thornton
has to say, while bleed this dangerous
fellow-and then will tell you."
There was an air of security in his
manner which CALLED Thornton exceed
ingly; but he drew her gently aside, and.
when out Of ear-sho,. addressed her i'm
ploringly:
"Come away with me, Ellen. dear"
he said, 'sfor have that to say which
will not brook longer delay"
"Can you not say il herel" she asked.
irresolu,ely.
mo. no, not here" he answered ca
gerly; ''come. come away"
He had almost conquered; but che
glanced at Tiliord, who was busted with
the deer. and she opportunity was past.
alt would be rude to 60 Off in this man
ner," she said. "and you can jus. as well
speak here az anywhere else."
"Ellen! Ellen!'' exclaimed her lover,
"you grieve me beyond measured
"Grieve you!" she said. opening her
fine eyes as in great surprise; chow SOL"
"Are you not now casting me out Of
your heart" he asked. with accents full
Of grief aud reproach. "to replace me
with tina. insolens Virginian!"
The color, which her recent danger