Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-10-10
VOL. XLvII. NEW SERIES, VOL. Xxx.

her eyes m the direction OF that part of
the road which, emerging from the farm
buildings and plantations, began to wind
the foot of the steep hill. Mechanically
only was it at first that she looked to see
who the horseman was that had inst ap-
| appeared ascending the white lane. Pre-
sently, however, there flashed from those
eyes fire by no means mechanical. Her
whole countenance, indeed, lighted up as it
might have done had she been facing the
glow of red sunset instead Of the cool
gray of midday. Her lips quiyered for an
instant aI$ then became rigid. while her
nostrils dilated and her dark brow was stern
ly knit. She passed one of her large. but
csmely hands once or twice across her fore
head, and then driving her fingers into her
thick, wayy dark hair. clutched it ficrcely
For moment or two more she still stood in
tently observing the rider. as he urged his
horse at the fullest pace the steep ascent
would allow. When he was about half way
she quickly drew back, as if to avoid being
seen, but continued watching through the
crack by the hinges Of the little wooden
shutter of the window. As this opened
upon one side of the MILL Naomi, where she
stood, would have lost sight of the horseman
as he came close un and passed round to the
door; but he did not pass round, for the
horse, rough, vicious looking brute, cover
ed with sweat and foam, SHE'D. and refused
to 90 by the front of the mill, where the
sails in full swing. were whirling round with
their rushing, chopping, monotonoGs noise,
and, as usual. when the wind obliged them
to be set to the south, within few yards Of
the narrow. unprotected road
n al to ltltvV 4
animal ensucd whips and heels were freely
used. The creature plunged and reared
violently, swcrying from side to side, and do
inc all it could for mastery. But at last he
rider got the best of the strGgele and. with
n tremendous lungc. the horse dashed for
ward ont of NaomiS sight The asitated
| and angry thoughts which evidently posses
sed her while she was watching the approach
Of the rider had been for an instant hall-di-
yerted by the tGSslc between him and his
animal but as they vanished from her sight
her agitation seemed to be returning, when
| again il was arrested tho timely strange
and awful cry, which rose high above the
| clatter and din O. the heavy machinery Of
! the mill a cry part shrek, part wall, part
m0an-hardly human cry, but one which
| struck chill to Na0mi's heart With the
| agility Of an antelope She flew down the
narrow ladder to the dressing floor, and out
into the open air by the stairs from the door
way at the hack OF the mill. She appeared
| to divine something OF what had happened,
| for. with a face now nearly rs white as the
dust Of the meal with which she was be
| sprinklcd. she hurried round ON To the road.
| The sight which there awaited her might
| have made stronger nerves quivcr. Horse
and man lay apparently dashed to death by a
| blow. or many blows from the ineXorably
/ revolving mill sails. At the first glance both.
| indeed. seemed to DE- within their fell swoop
| but when Naomi had sufficiently collected
herself. She saw that the horse had been
thrown quite clear of the sails by that stroke
! from them which had smashed in the whole
| side OF his head and doubtle~ killed him in
| an instant
Ii was hardly possible To believe. however.
that the man could be beyond thedeath deal
inr circuit of the sails Each one as 10
swept down to within thar foot and % halt
from the ground. looked rs /; ii was striking
him at every turn. for he lay stretched face
| lownwari-. withhis head exactly upon the
spot where the beam passed the closest to
the eraSs but he was lnOtionleS-. and sl
| long Us he so remained was rs safe as Il be
had his head upon his own pillow. But
should he move or raise IL an inch or two.
he would inevitably share the iat'sot his
horse. We, could he raise it? Was it like
II? This was what Naomi asked herself, as,
with a rush Of conflicting motions, She stood
as near a- she dare. bending forward toward
him.
And if he co4ld. should She let him ? lie
was evidently not dead, only stunncd-hi-
breathing and the twitchiug of one of his
hand, told her that-and, as far rs she was
! able to see. he was otherwise uninjurcd. lie
had fallen. probably, as If by a miracle clear
of the sails. and had received no blow, save
! from coming in contact with the ground. II
| this were So. then in another minute Ec
might recover and would move. lie would
raise his head. and in Vet another minute he
| might have his brains dashed out before her
eyes. And should she stir q hand 10 avert
! this fate. Should She save this man who had
So deeply. 50 cruelty wronscl her, and
brought shame and sorrow upon the gray
hairs of her father The very words she
used but an hour before ln the depth of hen
Jealous and rcycnEcful feeling, rushed back
into her mind II saw Reuben Straytol
with bis head upon the block of the suil.o
| tine. and bad power to stay the falling
| knife. would not Use it, And here h'
Law before hcr I'm an almost cguiyalen, -itaa
ti1n.
IIer fierce nature waycrcd, but. happily
not for long. \ motion Of the PROSTATE
man arm recalled her to her better self
lie turned his body slightly, and showed hi
face She saw his eyes open, and saw then
Vince as the deadly sail passed close aho'
them.
Whv had she delayed so long? Why ha'
She not rushed back and stopped the mill
She dared not 20 now, it was too late, h'
would recover while she was gone In hi
-turefed state She could not make him un
derStaud the imperative necessity oi lyln'
still She feared even to speak. lest he nigh
look up at her
Without moment further hesitation -h
threw herself upon the ground, and creepn.
to within arm length, and in fearful prozi
| nifty 10 the mill sails. seized him by the col
lar. and with tremendous effort draSgc'
him into n place of safety just as the bcwli
dered man raised his head, and passed
hand across h. dazed eyes.
Bv the miler's freside, an hour later
Reuben Straytor is seated, pale, and still
somewhat confused, but unhurt. 1t sccmc
that the stupor caused by his fall had save
his life for although the unmanageabl
horse had hlindly dashed within range ot th
mi! sans the Animal iiaU M" r
the air
Naomi and her father, soothing him am
administering restoratives, are hcnding owe
the Young man, the girls face beaming wit
the tendeFeSt eAlre97l"ii' Ioi ~ nav ~
assured oi jeanette safety anu I Ni'"7 '''''
her suSpleions were an Sr9a''Gl'9' i,
W hen, alter WhiiS' heuo'" ','l' =
tell his story IN de'ai'' 'hi' j. "''' '' ''
late
Throughout the simmer anu '.'.'',i''
day hardly paSsed Wheh ineie vas i'o' 10 y
seen the hgure oi Il certain man larH'''S TT