Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1877-10-19

than half a mile wide.
''Yes, a pack of them, | am afraid, .
replied Robert. 'You can shoot,
AIiunie," he added after moments
pause, during which the cries were
heard OH both sides louder and
more numerous than before.
YES" she whispered, flushing
crimson even at the sound of her
Christian name from his lips.
"Take this, then," and he rev a
small five shooter from his pocket
and handed it to her. "But don't
use it till I tell you. l may distance
them yet" And striking out Wig
ourously, the shell-like sleigh was
soon sklmming over the smooth ice
at racing speed.
Still from the forest on either side
came the shrill, barking cries-nev-
er forgotten by those who have
heard them under like circumstances
of the hungry wolves. And
though the tiny sleigh skins faster
and faster over the ice, yet nearer,
clearer and more distinct than ever
the savage yelIs echo in the ears of
those two, who know now that they
are racing for dear life, until loud
er, fuller chorus than ever bursts
upon the frosty air, and turning his
head, Robert sees that their pursu-
ers are clear of the woods, and fol-
lowing them with increased swift
ness over the ice.
Faster and faster speeds the
sleigh, until it scarcely seems to
touch the ice, but yet not fast
enough to keep long ahead of the
feet feet that followed it. Even
now an angry growl is heard close
behind, and rising carefully in the
sleigh, Minnie perceives the leader
of the pack, gaunt, hnngry-looking
wolf, with fierce cleaning eyes and
long red tongue hanging out of his
open jaws, not a dozen yards behind.
1t was no time for words. A
quick glance into her companions
face, sharp, spiteful report from
the pistol, and the foremost of the
band rolled over on the ice, and
Robert redoubling his exertions,
makes the most OF the brief respite
caused by the mOmentary delay of
the pack around the dead body of
their companion, it was but for "a
moment, however. Then fiercer,
and more blood thirsty than ever
the four-footed demons start again
i'll pursuit.
Again, and yet again, the brave
girl fires, each time bringing down
one OF the pack, until. as the empty
pistol falls from her hand, and she
sinks back on the seat in utter de-
spair, the last bend of the shore is
doubled, mile below, the snow COW
cred roof Of her fathers house is i'll
sight, while half way between sever
al figures are seen on the ice skating
towards them.
Courage, darling!" cried Robert,
pointing ahead.
"Too late, Robert!" she whispered,
as an angry growl was heard almost
abreast of the sleigh, aud a dozen
pair of blood-shot eyes cleaned red
Iy close behind.
"Not for you, Minnie, Heaven
bless you, my own love!" and impell-
ed by the wild, almost superhuman
strength of that last desperate push,
the light sleigh shot forward like an
arrow over the ice, and then be-
fore Minnie could look up, or regain
her breath, before the sound of that
last passionate farewell had died
away, slowly came to a stand-still
right before her father and three
brothers, who had started up the
lake in search of her. Robert! Oh,
father, save him! he has given his
life for mel" was Minnie'e first ex-
cIamation, when she awoke to the
consciousness that she was safe in
her fathers arms; and, even as she
spoke, her brother came forward
bearing the body of Robert Lester,
which, with much difficulty, they
had rescued from the disappointed
wolves. ooh, he is dead, and he
died for mel" cried Minnie, passion
ately kissing the pale, still face, as
they laid the lifeless body carefully
in the sleigh, and started slowly
homeward.
But though, terribly mangled and
injured in the short, sharp hight that
took place when, having given his
life for the girl he loved, Robert
Lester turned and fercely faced his
pursuers, he was not dead, though it
took many weeks of Mrs. Dale's skill
full nursing to win him back to
health, and the warm spring sun
shine had melted the snow and ice
before he returned to his post at the
old log school house.
But now a pair of tender, loving
eyes, watch for his return when
school is oveT-a true-hearted little
wife makes the neat little white
washed frame house where he kept
Bachelors Hall" so long, the "dear-
est, sweetest spot on earth;" and as
he stands on this bright spring even
ing watching the blue waters of the
lake trembling in the glory of the
setting sun, two white arms steal
around his neck and Minnie's dark
eyes look up slyly into his face, as
she says:
81 gave you trouble enough in my
school days, Robert. l will try and
he a blessing, instead of trouble
to you, hereafter"
Lively Patient.
"rhe sick man of Europe" has,
for wars hack baau a ,br,.o ,