Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1880-06-24
A RIDE FOR LIFE.

1t was Just at shutdown, and Lily Ser
vosse was sitting on the porch at Warning
ton, watching the sunset glow, when a
horseman came in sight, and rode up to
the gate. After moments scrutiny of
the premises he seemed satisfied, and ut
tered the usual halloo which it Is custom
sry for one to give who desires to COM
municate with the household in that
country. Lily rose and advanced to the
steps.
Here's a letter." said the horseman,
as he held an envelope up to view and
then, as she started down the steps threw
it over the gate into the avenue, and then
wheeling his horse, cantered easily away.
Lily picked up the letter. 1t was direct
ed in a coarse sprawllng hand:
COLONEL COMFORT SERvossE,
WARRINGTON"
In the lower, left hand corner, in a
more compact and business-llke hand,
were written the words, Read at once"
Lily read the superscription carelessly as
she went up the broad avenue.
She went into The house, and calling
for a light, glanced once more at the
envelope, and then broke the seal. 1t
read:
COLONEL SERvossE,-A raid Of K. K.
has been ordered to intercept Judge Den
ton on his way home tonight (the Esd
q instl 1t is understood that he has teie-
+ graphed you to accompany him home.
Do not do 1t. If you can by any means,
give him warning. 1t is a hig raid, and
means business. The decree IS that he
shall be tied, placed in the middle of the
bridge across the river, planks taken up
on each side, so as to prevent rescue,
and the bridge set on fire. l send this
warning for your sake. Do not trust the
telegraph. shall try to send this by safe
hand, but tremble lest it should be too
late. l dare not sign my name, but sub
scribe myself your UNKNOWN FRIEND -
The young girl stood for Il moment
paralyzed by horror at the danger which
threatened her father. 1t did not once
occur to doubt the warning she had re-
ce1ved. She glanced at the timepiece on
the mantle. The hands pointed to s
O'Clock.
"Too late, too late!' she cried, as she
clasped her hands, and raised her eyes to
heaven in prayerful agony. She saw
that she could not reach Verdenton in
time to prevent their taking the train
and she knew it would be useless to teIe-
graph afterward. 1t was evident thai
the wires were under the control of the
Khan, and there was no probability thai
message would be delivered if sent il
time to prevent the catastrophe.
sob, my dear, dear, papa!' she cried
as she realized more fully the danger
{ sob, God can nothing be done to save
him2
Then a new thought flashed upon he
mind. She ran to the back porch, anc
called sharply but quietly;
civilian Oh, Williamr'
"William" said Lily, as the stable boz
appeared, "put MY saddle on Young Lol
lard and bring him round quick as pos
sible.'
''But, Miss Lily; you know dat boss
the servant began to expostulate.
81 know all about him, William. Dom
wait to talk. Bring him out"
Gail right, Miss Lily, " he replied, wit
bow and a scrape. But as he went to
ward the stable he soliloquized angrily
Now, what for Miss Lily want to rid
that partickerler boss, you spose? Nebbe
did afore. Nobody but de kunnel ebbe
on his back, an he hab his hands full VII
him sometime Desc furrerbreed hose
jes the pebble anyhow Oars dat youn
Lollard, now it's jest bout all man
life with ter rub him down and saddl
him. Why don't she take de ole I'M
Here you; Lollard come outen dat.
He threw open the door of the log sta
BILE where the horse had its quarters, as b
g. spoke, and almost instantly, with shol
vicious WINNER, powerful, dark brow
horse leaped into the moonlight, and wit
- n ears laid back upon his simmons necl
- white teeth bare, and thin blooded no
trils distended, rushed toward the servan
who with loud ''dar now Look at him
sN Whoa! See de dam rascal retreate
quickly behind the door. The horl
~ rushed once or twice around the stabl
s@% yard, and then stopped suddenly besic
his keeper, and stretched out his head #
the bit, quiverlng in every limb with TIL
excess of vitality which only the tho
oughbred horses ever exhibit.
Before the horse was saddled, Lily ha
donned her riding habit, put a revolv
&ln her belt, as she very frequently di
when riding alone, swallowed a has
supper, scratched short note to h
agmOther on the envelope of the letter 81
had received-whlch she charged Wi
at once to carry to her-and was ready
start on anightride to Chenille.
The brawny groom with difficulty he
ythe restless horse by the bit; but Il
slight girl who stood upon the bloc
with pale face and set teeth, gathers
the reins in her hand, leaped fearless
into the saddle found the stirrup al
Rai said "Let him gol'' without culver
her voice, the horse stood upright, al
paved the air for moment with b
81 feet, gave a few mighty leaps to ma
sure of his liberty and then stretch o
his neck, bounded forward in his ra
= 1T which would require all the mettle
his endless line OF noble sires.
20 VI AS she was borne like an arrow doy
the avenue, and turned into the Gle
vile road, Lily heard the whistle of t
train as it left the depot at Verdentc
and knew that upon her GOODNESS and r
olution alone depended the life Of
1S { father.
It was, perhaps, well for the acco
splishment of her purpose, that, for so
... time after setting out on her perilc
journey, Lilly Servosse had enough to
to maintain her seat and guide and c,
troll her horse.
She had always made it Q rule to Vi