Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1877-04-07

And then Ralph Curtis speaks
promptly:
{" ! echo Mr.. Crosbie's question"
Whe-eupon poor weak Sara burstsinto
tears.
"Pleasc 90 away" she mumrrs
brokcnly. 81 can walk home Just rs
well alone by myself
Silence.
This time it is a silence that Ralph
Curtis ends.
That is no answer, Miss Sara"
Right" states Walter Crosbie, with
stern emphasis. Z" 1t is no answer
"I-I can't help it," laments Sara.
Please go-both Of you."
suddenly fierce flash shoots from the
night-like eyes of Ralph.
"Let there be some decision" he cries,
addressing Walter. "If Miss Prescott
will not make it herself, it is for us to do
SO"
"I don t understand" ," replies Walter.
Ralph draws near him,
81 beg your pardon" he commences,
speaking to Sara and then there follows
between the two men an inaudiblo whis
pered conference, which she, who wit,
messed it, watches and wonders at The
conference continues for nearly five min.
utes; and at last Ralph Curtis turns to,
wards Sara.
"Miss Prescott, Mr.. Crosbe and | have
formed a compact together. Do you see
where yonder road emerges from these
clumps of shrubbery ?"
" Yes" answered the puzzled girl, in
right puzzled tones.
Very we'll We desire you to sait
here. We will disappear. When you
next see either of us it will be as he ad
vanccs toward you, doubtless at tulles'
speed along the race,course. One will il
all probability win the race which we pro
pose to run, but if it proves reck-and
neck race, then-then-'
"Then," Walter CIosbie here break,
in, "you must walk home alone. Doyou
quite understand, Miss Sara? Think, for
a moment, and feel sure that further
explanation will be useless
"I-I-havc thought" quiyers Sara
"and-and-I think am sure, indeed
that understand"
Very well, exclaimed Walter. " De
you consent to such an arrangement
strange and wild as it seems? Reflect tol
moment before replying"
Sara covers her face, impulSlyely
with both hands, and remains in thi
attitude for n while Then she cover
her face again with an equal impusiye
ness, aud cries out, in tones almost fierce
from intense excitement
al have reflected, and consent"
Sara is standing quite alone now, il
the clear, perfect moonlight. Arouno
her gleam the shadowy lawns, brokel
with their great, dark masses of foliage
Her eyes are fixed intently upon tha
fragment of opposite road which it
skirting shrubbries allow her to see. Sh
is Iistcning--listening with strained anx
ious ear, and with every nerve on tn
qai rire of expectancy.
Presently there was a sound, at wha
seems considerable distance, of rapid
advancing feet Sara's eyes fairly dilate
and her head stretches itself forward il
the wild eagerness OF her feelings.
The steps come nearer, nearer-heay
decisive thuds of vigorous feet agains
hard unyielding gravel,
And now, without a moments warn
ing, the steps cease. Then there is
man'S wild, fierce cry; after that, wha
seems a second silence; and then tn
cracking, uumistakable sound0f pisto
Just for brief space Sara stands 3
though frozen into stone. Then sh
rushes down the road, turns the corne
made-so to speak-by the great shrul
berry clusters, and darts on, on, wit
heetcst speed. A long, quivering teri
fed moan leaves her lips, as she pause
at last by dark, outstretched fom
"Walter-Walter CrosLie! for God
srke what has happencd?'
No answer.
: And then she secs the ghastiy NJ
turned face, and the long CORY -treal
that oozes from his temple
Not two yards distant there is anoth'
prone form. Sara staggers toward,it
} Ralph Curtis swarthy face CLEAN
livid and CHASTITY, in the pale moonigh
"His fault" he gasps--" all his fault
He stabbed me as | was passing hin
Then | fred--not till then. God he
; yeu--poor Sara-poor Sara ~
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