The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1870-10-20


was spoken, the last invitation ex-
changed, and the ride for home COM
menced with the sledge and pair.
Before they had gone two miles
the day had entirely gone, and the
moon shone brightly over the wide
expanse of snow. Maggie closed her
eyes with thrill of terror as they
passed rapidly through the first stretch
of woods.
Nothing appeared to confirm her
fears, and she began to hope they
might reach home in safety.
Tracy broke the silence, by exclaim-
ing E" This is the best part of the ride
ian't it, Miss Maggie?" bending a
glance OF admiration on her fresh
blonde beauty. uf
Startled from her reverie, she Joined
in his merry conversation, while her
thoughts made an undue accompani-
ment to. the sledge music in the words
of her father the evening previous
These clear, cold nights are just the
ones for the wolves" Suddenly to
banidage and repartee came fearful
interlude, long, low cry-at first a
howl, then dying away in a mournful
| wail-a sound once heard never for
| gotten. Hr
Maggie had repeatedly heard it
when the wolves, pressed by sore
hunger, ventured within the limits OF
the settlement. AT such times she
would cover her head trembling with
fear, and pray that she, or any loved
one, might never be exposed to such
a death.
And now moan of anguish escaped
her lips.
Tracy turned to her in surprise. :.
"Why, what is the matter9" he
| cried, seeing her affrighted features.
She endeavored to speak, but her
voice failed her. Then, as the death
cry arose again on the still night ali
with the strength of desperation she
almost shrieked, Drive faster! fast
er! Don't you hear them? The
wolves!" a .e,a :
But, as if in doubt, he refined in his
horses to listen.
And that is the wolves, is it ?" he
asked quietly.
Maggie bowed slightly.
His face grew as white us the snow
about him in an instant, and, grasping
her arm sternly, his politeness vanish
ing, with only the instinct of self-pre.
serYation remaining, he cried, "And
you knew of this danger, and yet per.
suaded me to remain SO long in thai
cursed village? Now listen," he con-
tinued, with fiendish deliberation; 81
will drive fast-make every effort to
escape but, if it comes to the worst
and it's impossible for both to be
saved, you shall 60, and rightly, too
for not warning mel"
He grasped the reins and urged the
horses on, and as they sped rapidly
over the snow, Maggie sat dumb ani
motionless with terror.
Only the sledge bells-a bittel
mockery-now broke the Stiffness
She began to hope they had been de
ceived, or the wolves had lost tn,
scent, when a quick, loud cry, burst
ing from the whole pack, scarcely ,
hundred yards away, reused her from
her apathy, and drove Tracy almos
into frenzy. He cast the reins vio
lently from him, and sprang from tn,
sledge, giving the horses, as he did so
a heavy lash of the whip, that sen
yards away from where he was stand
ing.
Maggie comprehended dimly tina
he would take to a tree for safety
Then her own dangerous situation re
quired all her attention.
| And now the courage of a Western
woman, Injured to hardsbips and dan
gers of all kind, asserted its exist
ence. She wound the reins Tight,
around her slender hands, and drew
the horses in for a brief and mucl
needed rest, and, to calculate upon he
chances for life, without giving anoth
er thought to her cowardly cavalier.
A faint sound, resembling the frs
pattering of rain drops on fores
leaves, warned her that her time wa
limited; with an encouraging wor,
to the horses, she touched them wit
the whip. Away they dashed wit
the speed of the wind. On! on
guiding them with steady hand, tn
!, wide open plain was soon left far be
hind, and Maggie held her breath har
, as they dashed with lightning spec
, under the boughs of the second stretc
t of woodland. Faster and taste
, through the woods, thanking God this
, the faint glimmer Of moon-beaul
through the dark trees enabled her t
keep in straight road.
. A faint light ahead! She bent fol
ward to look, and once more the
+ dashed out on an open plain, the OIL
!. ly one that lay between herself an
a the village-and safety.
: The first house was passed-anotl
e er, and another. For the first tim
relaxing her firm hold, she drew
# sigh of intense relief, and yentured
: glance behind her.
: A cry of horror burst from hi
lips. Never abating their speed !
: the least, the whole pack of famishe
d animals, with lloyd cries, poured int
: the road towards the village, and sq
g rounded the sledge; she felt the
v dash by her, their hot breath fannin
n her face, and with muttered pray
d for mercy frozen OH her lips she san
e likeness in the bottom of the vehiel