The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-12-21

upon the horse ne gave chase to the hy1ng
steed, and soon gained upon him but the
fair rider, although shs evidently had no
no control over the fiery, gAlloping, snort
ing animal, did not appear at all alarmed
A glossy chestnut curl fiuttered back like
topmOst streamer Of q vessel in the rush
ing wind she stood erect and rode with
easy grace and dignity. Suddenly the
maddened horse, to evade . crowd of sx-
cited men and boys that had gathered ON
the road, leaped . low fence and sped
across an open field toward q thickly wood
ed grove seeing which, Arbyght leaped
the same fence q few rods back, and tax
ing an oblique line, sought to head of the
runaway horse, the rider of which became
thoroughly alarmed m she neared the
! grove she knew that If the infuriated
animal rushed in among the trees, that to
her it was inevitable death. She saw the
near approach of help, but she
was now very close to the grove !;
she leaned forward on her saddle,
set her teeth and prepared for the worst.
Richard drove the sharp heels Of hin boots
into the asman of. the horss he RODS ma .
vigorous spur brought him to the side of
the now almost inanimate girl telling her
to disengage her feet from the stirrups, he
throw his arms around her and lifted her
from the saddle Just as the horse dashed in
among the tall trees a sudden Jerk with
the left hand at the same instant reined
the now doubly laden animal completely
round. The girl had tainted. He dis
mounted and laid her gently down, tied
the horse to young sapling and proceed
ed to reanlmate his unconscious charge
To give her air, he threw back her veil
great heavens 1t was Vida GeldamO that
lay pale and motionless before him. He
uttered little cry of mingled love and ter
ror, half joy, half sorrow he took her
cold, blOodless, tiny hands between his
warm palms, pressed them tenderly, kissed
them with soft violence, his heart futter-
ing in his breast like wounded bird the
while. He dropped the hands and darted
OF IN search of water found none, darted
back again, took her hands again, wet them
with his tears, rained upon them soul-rav-
ishing kisses, and by the magnetism of his
love electrified her into sensibility. She
opened her eyes slightly-saw who was
bending over her-opened them very wide,
closed them again, perhaps to think, or
perhaps his love and devotion was so gem
uine, so real, so full Of reality, so unlike
anything she had ever dreamed of, that
she was rather pleased than otherwise and
did not wish to break the spell too rudely.
Her face became rosy red, she opened her
eyes again" Oh! Mr. Arbyght." He was
at her side in q twinkle assisted her to sit
up, and spoke 80 kindly that she soon
grew out Of the novelty and strangeness Of
the occurrence, and laughed gaily but
glancing at him furtively, she noticed his
1ol,z ~.
filled she turned away her head and
silence fell upon them.
Some boys, who had been putting in the
grove, saw the riderless horse and, with
some difficulty, succeeded in capturing him,
and now appeared leading him out Of the
grove. Richard hailed them, and secured
the animal he was now tame and submis-
sive enough. Richard helped Vida to
mount, and in silence they started for the
town-RichArd walking and leading the
horse with which he overlook her After
little while Vida said, in . tone Of sur
prise rather than inquiry, What strange
fatality brought you here |"
." Your advice" he answered, rather
brusquely.
" My advice I"
"Yes, am going back to fight my enc
my In ms own territory.
Vida hung her head, and another silence
ensued.
"You have relations here, presume n
1t was Arbyght that spoke.
" An aunt-in-law and cousin, she re-
piled.
Another silence Vida was castle-build
ing Richard was grave-digging. Theymet
the cousin near the point where Arbyght
had crossed the fence An introduction
followed Miss Saunders seemed puzzled
Vida noticed her inquiring looks, and said,
by way Of answer, "Mr. Arbyght and |
have met before; he il an esteemed
friend"
This remark did not in itself indicate
much, but Vida managed to throw into it
50 much profound thankfulness, and not
a little respect, that Richard was in Dante
seventh heaven at once. 1t was quite dark
when the house of Mrs Saunders was
reached. A servant came out and took
charge of the horses. Miss Saunders re-
spectfully asked Richard TO remain over
night, as he had again missed the up-trsin.
He declined. Vida insisted. He said, that
sooner than trespass upon her aunt's hos
pitality, he would prefer to remain at
hotel but in that, if the truth must be
told, his lips gave the lie to his heart.
Vida would not be refused she read the
man. 1t is woman's speciality to read men,
and it is astonishing what marvellous pro-
fciency some of them attain in observing
the infections, the moods, the stops and
pauses Of the book He accepted the offer
thankfully He was shown into large
room brilliantly lighted A woman, Of
about forty years, stood up at his entrance,
and looked straight at him the light shons
fully in his face, and before either of the
girls had time to introduce him, the
woman advanced and said,
Your name il Arbyghtf'
Richard gszed at the olive features, the
dark flashing eye, the defiant mouth of the
woman, and replied promptly.
II you are not my aunt Kate, my per-
ceptions and Judgment are sadly ut fault. "
Richard had found his fathers sister.
The recognition was mutual. The resem-
blance between them was marked and
striking. They would pass for mother and
son any where. Richard remained there
two days and was treated like prince.
gloom fell upon the whole household when
he was gone. Time glided unheedingly
by while he was around it now dragged
tediously. This may have been because
Vida had lost her vivAcity. She would
not sing or play the balance Of the day he
left in the morning-next day she went to
the piano, but her touch awakened but the
most plaintive and pathetic airs, and her
voice was lower and softer than before )
she avoided - much as possible any ref
erence TO Arby ght. Was she in love ? She
dared not ask herself the question.
When Arbyght reached Chicago, the
men we're completely demoralised, and
were returning to work every day, but the
leaders presence caused reaction. 4
large meeting was held, the situation was
discussed, new plans were laid, and the
men became more determined and enthusi-
astic than ever.
Next day all those who Ind returned 10
WORK, again left the shops.
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