The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-02-07

ish blue.
His way quickly brought the traveller 70 a
stream now running over its banks. slipping
easily from bis saddle, be frightened the giE7ha,
sIAeksned the rupper. and. gently patting his
animal, addressed few AfecaonAie words 90
him. Romuuniing, ho aIud himself armly IN
The saddle. gathered his birdie In = manner 10
impart 60 his companion his own energy and
determination, and moved into The ereck.
Turning up tho sireAm, be proceeded for
about a hundred yards along the bank. and
then struck boldly Hcross in a dircet line, with
the horses head slAnied up current The depth
of the water did not sonsibly increase in the
course Of eighty yards, and the stranger was
coagratula,ing himself upon the probability Of
getting over without . wctting, when tho ami
NAL In tuo steps increased the depth until be
could no longer hold his footing. and sprung
boldly into the middle OF deep, rushing
channel. In an Instant the rider had seized
the name Of tho horse in his left hand, aud
slipped smoothly ont Of the saddle 70 the lower
side. where be hoAted along.
Man and boas, bAttled brAvcly with the food
for a moment, when the former Was startled 10
feel the horse finch and turn with terrific
snort down the current A quick jerk nPon the
left rein served TO procure but an instant :
pause IN the precipiiAte course Of The beast
but In that instant the stranger became aware
Of another presence by the touch sltmy
obicc, against bis hand.
Raising his head above the neck of the
charger. he saw dimly outlined upon the wAv-
ing and shimmering surface dark and unde-
anable object. The next moment the dcspcr-
ate plungcs Of the beast hSa obstruc;od his
vision, when, with the self-commAnd OF one
accustomed and nerved 20 the hardship Of
athletic sports and soldiers danger, be
SWING his leg over the back Of the animal and
gathered hirnself up in the saddle.
Reaching out hand, he was Abon; TO seize
the object uf bis horror. when IL exposed the
yhAs,ly features OF a woman.
For an instant only he hositAted then, re-
covering from the thrill, he grAsPed the head
ar1nly by the loose, flowing, tangled mass Of
raven tresses. and raised il above water on the
pommel Of his saddle
Turning his head again up stream, be re-
neucd the combat with the tide. TWlce It
zeemed So though man. woman ana beast
must all succumb and twice the noble struggles
OF the animal cheated the turgid grave 0f its
victima
Finally. the hpofs once more crunched the
firm bottom Of the stream, and ten PAGES
brought the party safely 90 the shore.
Feeling the forehead, he found Il cold the
hands we're Also chilled, but be thought he felt
a slight fiuttcr Of the pulse. Tearing open tho
dress. be pressed his hand against the heart
and found Il still warm
His efforts to resuscitAte her were soon re-
warded. aud, after few moments the woman
made an attempt q speak which resulted,
howuyer only in a moaning cry.
At this point he began 20 look for other
assistance, when he observed light upon the
hill above the creek. Oiine more raising the
body To the 1jonimel Of the saddle, and mount
ing behind Il, he sought the road.
Z
One stepred around 20 receive the woman,
and another entered the house to procure the
a. what's this?" said the one who was Assist-
ing the traveller In dismounting the woman.
"Send for the nearest physician at once
They lifted the motionless bnt reviying form
The stimulant was soon brought, and. upon
a small portion of II being administered, the
woman Indicated an increased vitality by a
broken gurgie. This. after 4 while, gave way
20 clearer articulation. in which, however, only
syllAblea were omitted. These we're In turn
succeeded hy one or two sharp cries OF pain,
which gradually subsidized into q moaning chat
tar of wailinR, incoherent sentences.
Al this point the stranger IN raising his hand
10 her head 10 brush the tangled hair from her
brow. noticed a olot Of blood upon the wet skin
Of his finger; rubbing IL OF, he found no trace
of a wound. go
II there ia a cut anywhere.
1 An Examination soon revealed n ghastly
wound, an ugly, gaping abrasion npon the left
aide of the head, above the ear, and just be-
hind the temple The locks were matted over
IL, and the blood still oozed slowly from its
mouth.
Pending the arrival OF doctor the stranger
clipped tho hair from around the wound and,
after bathing il with feminine tenderness, he
/ gave the patient over 20 the charge Of the
ladies of the house who were in attendance.
"I presume YOU are the host, sir" said he,
nj once. addressing the elder Of the two. "u
YOU will be kind enough 10 let me have bed,
until can rest for an hour or 30 and dry my
clothing, shall resume my journey under
great obligation 10 You. Matters OF Importance
urge me 70 lose no time and shall only delay
mill INV morse can recruit for the balance Of my
ride. In fact, but for the incident Of finding
the unfortunate lady IN the creek, should
have continued on the road without consulting
nv comfort 50 far"
i' VIII you tell me hsw you happened upon