Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-02-21
Gales ano skettbes.
4 RIDE FOR LIFE.
Continued from yesterday. }


She woke from her stupor when the
first horseman came in sight, and thanked
God for her dark horse and colorless hab-
it. She urged Young Lollari among the
dense scrub pines which grew between
the two roads which she knew that she
must choose, turned his head back towards
the point of intersection. drew her revolt
YER. leaned over upon his neck, and peer
ed through the overhanging branches.
She paited her horses head, and whisper
ed to him softly, 10 keep him still.
Hardly had she placed herself in hiding,
before the open space around the interscc-
ting roads was alive with disguised horse
men. She could catch glin'pscs OF their
figures as she gazcd through the cluster
ING pines. Three men came into the road
which ran along 10 the right of where she
stood. They were hardly five steps from
where she lay. painting, but determined.
on the faithful horse, which moved not n
muscle. Once he had ncighed. before
they came SO near; but there We're so
many horses neighng and snufling. that
no one needed Il. She remembered n lii
tie flask which Maggie had put into her
pocket. II was whiskcy. She put up her
revolver. drew out the flask. opened IT,.
poured some in her hand. and. leaning
forward. rubbed it on the horse's nose -
He did not offer to neigh again
Considerable confusion arose among the
gathered riders. who had some difference
of opinion. and Lily. with her revolver
cooked in her hand. turned. and cautious
" made her way to the road which had
been indicated by their talk. rs the one
which led to Glenvillc. Just ms her horse
stepped into the path. an overhanging
limb caught her hat. and pulled II of. to-
gether with the hood Of her waterproof. so
that her hair fell down again upon her
shoulders.
She hardly noticed the fact in her en-
element. and if she had. could not have
stopped to repair the accident. She kept
her horse upon the shady side. walking
upon the grass as much as possible. to pre-
vent attracting attention. watching on all
sides for any scattered members of the
Klan. She had proceeded thus about
hundred and fifty yards. when she came
to turn in the road. and saw, sitting be-
fore her in the moonlight one Of the dis
gnised horsemen evidently n sentry. who
had been stationed there TO see that no ore
came upon the camp unexpectedly. He
was facing the ether way, but Just at that
instant turned. and seeing her in,listinct-
ly in the shadow. cried out at once
"Who's there IIalt!'
They We're not twenty wards apar.
Young I.ollard was trembling with excite
ment under the tightly drawn rein. Lily
thought of her father half prayerfnlly.
halffercely. bowed close over her horses
neck. and Traced herself in the saddle.
with every muscle as tense as those of the
tiger waiting for his leap. Almost before
the words were out of the sentry's mouth.
she had given Young Lollard the spur and
he shot like an arrow into the bright
moonlight, straight towards the black
inuffled horscman.
"Mv God!' he cried. amazed at the sud-
den apparition.
She was close upon him in an instant.
There was shot his startled horse sprany
aside, and Lily. urging Young Lollnrd to
his utmost speed, was fying down the
road toward Glenvil!e. She heard an ,,p
roar bebind-shouts. and one or two shots.
On. on She sped. She knew now every
foot of the road beyond. She looked back
and saw her pursuers swarming out of the
road into the moonlight. just then she
was in shadow. A mile. two miles. were
passed. She drew in her horse to listen.
There was The noise of a horses hoofs
coming down a hill she had just descend
ed, as her gallant steed bore her, with al
most undiminished stride. up the opposite
slope. She laughed. even in her terrible
excitement, at the very thought that any
one should attempt to overtake her.
They'll have fleet .teeds that follow, quoth young
LociIinvar,''
she hummed as she patfed Young Lollard's
outstretched neck. She turned when they
reached the summit, her long hair stream
ing backward in the moonlight, like q
golden banner. and saw the solitary horse-
man on the opposite slope, then turned
back and passed overthe hill
The train from Verdenton had reached
and left Glenville. The inconers had
been divided between the rival hotels. the
porters had removed the luggage, and the
agent was just entering his Office. when a
foam-flecked horse with bloody nostrils
and fiery eyes. ridden by young girl
with a white. set face, and fair, flowing
hair, dashed up to the station.
Judge Dcnton.'' the rider shrieked.
The agent had but time to motion with
his hand. and she had swept on towards
carriage which was just visible at the turn
Of the village street. and in which were
Judge Denton and her father.
Papa. papar' shrieked the girlish
voice as she swept on.
A frightened face glanced backward
from the carriage, and in an instant Com
fort Servosse was standing in the path of
the rushing steed.
''Ho, Lollard!' he shouted in voice
which rang over the sleepy town like
trum pet note.
The amazed horse veered quickly TO one
side, and stopped as If stricken to stone,
while Lily fell lnsensible into her fathers
arms. When she recovered, he was bend
ing over her with look in his eyes which
she will never forget.