Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-01-29
Suddenly unusual sounds attracted

nOr5eS lay prOStrate-oheo VI ehou hh.ou,
the other struggling desperately, but
broken vehicle was stretched the sense
less body of the dark, handsome man.
Over him bent the girl, screaming no
longer, but sobbing violently.
Delicia slipped from her horse, and
was at her side some moments before
she realized her presence.
"Wallace! Wallacel For heavens
sake, speak to mel You cannot-you
cannot be deadp Oh, dear Wallace
see, IL Is little Altal Only speak to me"
Then, with despairing cry, the young
girl fell upon the pulseless breast.
Then, starting to her feet to look
about for help apparently, she saw
Delicia.
"Oh," she gasped, snatching at her
arm, LOOK at him! see, is he dead?
The carriage fell Iupon him, while IL
am not hurt mt all. Oh. heaven, what
shall dop"
The white. still face told Delicia that
the man ut her feet would never breathe
again.
Hearing wheels, she sprang back into
the road, and encountered old David
Green and his son, the keepers of the
village hotel.
Summoned to view the scene, they
disentangled the senseless body, placed
| it in the carriage, and turned to Delicia
| for further directions.
"Get doctor Immediately that you
reach the village, Mr.. Green. I will
take this young lady home with me, and
! bring her back to the hotel as soon as |
! can put Joan TO the phaetoD. Come
with me, my poor child-1 will take
care of YOU" to the petite. white-faced
| girl; and throwing her ridng-skirt
more closely over her arm, she led Joan
by shortcut through the fields, back
to Wheatlands.
BY the way she tired to question her
| companion; but the girl, almost trans
ported with grief, made such incoherent
replies that she could only learn that
she had been riding since the middle of
the previous night, that they were on
their way to Conway. that they intend-
ed 10 be married there .-....
Were you were you" said Delicia,
gently, in Involuntary amaze. running
away from your friends ?"
Alta nodded.
From my brother, Guy Vannevar.
He did not like Mr.. Munroe. Yes, we
were to be married against his will,
and now-oh, Wallace, Wallacer'
Throwing Joan's bride over the gate
post, Delicia led the trembling girl to
the door. 1t was locked.
The key hung in the secret place
known only to the family, for Aunt
Thankful had Mt last executed prom
ise to visit sick neighbor some quar-
ter of mile distant. Bob had not yet
returned, for it wanted still an hour till
noon.
To Delicia's consterna alton. the un-
ha Fsrlx ha
parlor than she tainted.
With the strength of excitement, she
lifted her in her arms and bore her into
an inner room, where, placing her upon
bed, she unfastened her dress. bathed
her temples and chafed her hands.
AT length Alta Vennevar again drew
her breath.
Passing through the hall to procure a
restorative, Delfcia saw man just in
the act of vaulting upon Joan. 1t was
not Bob, though the saddle had been
removed and lay upon the ground; It
was man in n ragged coat, evidently
tramp.
With flash in her blue eyes. Delicia
stepped back, and, snatching n silver
mounted revolver from n shelf, threw
wide the hall-door and fired.
The bride fell from the mans right
hand, and Joan-three steps beyond the
gate-stopped.
10 Delicia's surprise, the man in
stantly dismounted, and, turning quickly
toward her. lifted his hat.
am effectually stopped, young lady:
but, believe me, did not intend to steal
your horse, and certainly left an equiva-
lent. though now in sorry condition"
Bewildered still more by the courteous
words and cultured tone, Delicia turned
in the direction the stranger pointed
with his left hand, and saw within the
yard dusty buggy and painting horse.
am trying To overtake my young
sister who has eloped with scoundrel,"
said the man, " no was both young and
handsome, land my horse broke down
hopelessly just before I reached your
door. Otherwise. in less than AN hour
should have probably overtaken my
sister before she was married and her
life ruined. So near tie object OF my
long and desperate drive, could not be
baked OF its object for want Of horse.
| knocked three times at your door, in
tending to beg or hire yours, which |
saw, fresh, standing at the gate, but for
some reason could summon no living
being. Knowing that my horse was
more than equal yours in value. thouth
hOW dh'ush Eilitu ny HaTu ufINlnks Te-
solved to take him, and. after overtak-
ing the man who is running away from
me, 10 instantly restore your property TO
you; but with little bitter laugh
you have effectually prevented that. I
think am bleeding to death"
His voice closed family; the blood
was squirting from his wrist. He sank
upon the step at her feet.
Delicia's cheek grew white. for she
knew the danger of that terrible bleed
ing. Unless it were stopped. the man
would in few moments be dead.
SprinRing to tile side of the now unre-
sponsive stranger. who seemed unable
TO utter another word, she snatched her
handkerchief from her pocket, and
tying 1t about the wounded arm, in
serted n stick picked from the ground,
thus making an effectual ligattffe, and,
to the abatement of her terror, saw the
frightful jets of blood subside.