The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-02-06


age was about twenty-three, his hair brown and full
in lock, his eye of grayish blue.
His way quickly brought the traveller to a stream
now running over its banks. Slipping easily from
his saddle lie frightened the girths, slackened the
crupper, and, gently patting his animal, addressed
few afectionate words TO him. Remounting, he
fixed himself firmly in the saddle, gathered his
bride in manner to impart to his companion his
own energy and determination, and moved into the
creek.
Turning up the stream, he proceeded for about
hundred yards along the bank, and then struck
boldly across in direct line with the horses head
slanted up current. The depth of the water did not
sensiby increase in the of eighty yards and
the stranger congratuatug himself upon the
probability Of getting over without wetting, when
the animal in two seps increased the depth until he
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 the horse
in his left hand, aud slipped smoothly out of the
saddle to the lower side, where he foated along
Man aud beast battled braVely with the food for
moment, when the former was startled to feel the
horse finch and turn with terrified snort down the
current. quick jerk upon the left rein served to
procure but an instant's pause in the precipitate
course of the beast but in that instant the stranger
became aware of another prePenoe by the touch OF
clammy lject against his hand
sRaising his head above the neck Of the ohargar
he saw dmly outlined upon the waving and SHIN
merlng surface dark and undehnable object. The
next moment the desperate pluDges OF the beast had
obstructed his vision, when, with the self-command
Of one accustomed and neryed to the hardship of
athletic sports and soldiers danger, he swung his
leg over the back Of his animal and gathered him
self into his saddle.
Reaching out hand, he was about to seize tbs
object of his horror, when it exposed the ghastly
features Of a woman.
For an instant only he hesitated then, recover
ing from the thrill, he grasped the head firmly by
the loose, flowing tangled mass Of raven tresses,
and raised it above the water upon the pommel of
his saddle
Turning his head again up stream, he renewed
the combat with the tide. Twice it seemed as
though man, woman, and beast must all succumb,
and twice the noble struggles of the animal cheated
the turgid grave of its victims.
Finally, the hoofs once more crunched the firm
bottom of the stream, and ten PAGES brought the
party safely to the shore.
Feeling the forehead, he found it cold the hands
were also chilled, but he thought he felt slight
hutter of the pulse. Tearing open the dress, he
pressed his hand against the heart and found it still
warm.
His efforts to resuscitate her were soon rewarded
ed, and, after a few moments, the woman made an
attempt to speak, which resulted, however, only in
moaning cry.
At this point he BEGAN to look for other assist
ance, when he observed light upon the hill above
the creek. Once more raising the body to the POM
mel Of his saddle and mounting behind it, he sought
the road.
One stepped around to receive the woman, and
another entered the house to procure the stimuant
What's this2" said the one who was assisting
the traveller IN dismOunting the woman.
" Send for the nearest physician at once"
They lifted the motonless but reYivinR form into
the house and deposited 1t upon sofa
The stimulant was soon brought, and, upon a
small portion OF 1t being administered the woman
indicated an increased vitality by d broken gurgle
This after while, gave way TO clearer articulation
VA which, however only syllablea were emitted
These were In turn succeeded by one or two sharp
cries Of pain, which gradually subsidized into