Morris tribune., 1880-07-15
A RIDE FOR LIFE.


a horseman came in sight, and rode up
to the gate. After moments scrutiny
of the premises he seemed satisfied, and
uttered the usual halloo which it is GUS
tomary for one to give who desires to
communicate with the household in that
country. Lily rose and advanced to the
steps.
'FHere'sa 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, wheeling his horse, cantered easily
away. Lily picked up the letter. 1t
was directed in coarse sprawllng hand:
Col. COMFORT SERvossE,
Warrington.
In the lower, left-hand corner, in
more compact and business-lke hand,
were written the words, Read at once.
Lily read the snperscription carelessly
as she went up the broad avenue.
She went into the house, and, calling
for light, glanced once more at the
envelope, and then broke the seal. 1t
read:
Col. SHRvossE: A raid Of K. K has been
ordered to intercept Judge Denton on his way
home tonight (the 23d inst). 1t is understood
that he has telegraphed you to accompany him
home. Do not do it. If you can by any means
give him warming. 1t is big 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 a rescue, and the bridge set ON fire.
send this warning for your sake. Do not trust
the telegraph. | shall try to send this by
safe hand, but trenble lest it should be too
late. l dare not sign my name, but subscribe
myself your UNKNOWN FRIEND.
The young girl stood for moment
paralyzed by horror at the danger which
threatened her father. 1t did not once
occur to doubt the warning she had
received. She glanced at the timepiece
on the mantel The hands pointed to 8
o'clock.
"Too late, too late p 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 tel
egraph afterward. It was evident that
the wires were under the control of the
Khan, and there was no probability that
message would be delivered if sent in
time to prevent the catastrophe.
"Oh, my dear, dear papa!" she cried,
as she realized more fully the danger.
"Oh, God can nothing be done to save
him?"
Then new thought flashed upon her
mind. She ran to the back porch, and
called sharply but quietly:
civilian! Oh, William!''
civilian" said Lily, as the stable
boy appeared, "put my saddle on Young
possible"
"But, Miss Lily, You know dat boss
-" the servant began to expostulate.
ct know all about him, William.
, Don't wait to talk. Bring him out.
CAN right, Miss Lily" he replied,
with bow and scrape. But as he
went toward the stable he soliloouized
angrily: "Now, what for Miss Lily
want to ride that partickerler boss, you
s'pose Nebber did afore. Nobuddy
but de Kunnel ebber on his back, an he
hab his hands full wild him sometimes.
Desc furrerbred bosses jes de debble
anyhow Oars dat Young Lollard,
now, it's Jest bout all a mans life with
to rub him down and saddle him. Why
don't she take the ole IN? Here you,
Lollard. come outen dat"
He threw open the door of the log sta
bic where the horse had his quarters, as
he spoke, and, almost instantly. with a
short, vicious WINNER, powerful, dark
Erown horse leaped into the moonlight,
and, with ears laid back upon his sinuous
neck, white teeth bare, and thin, blood.
red nostrils distended, rushed toward
the servant, who, with loud Oar now
Look at him! Whoa See de ras,
cal !" retreated quickly behind the door,
The horse rushed once or twice around
the little stable-yard, and then stopped
suddenly beside his keeper, and stretched
out his head for the bit, quivering II
every limb with that excess of vitality
which only the thoroughbred horse eve1
exhibits.
Before the horse was saddled, Lily haG
donned her riding habit, put revolver
in her belt, as she very frequently die
when riding alone, swallowed q hasty
supper, scratched short note to he
mother on the envelope of the letter she
had received-which she charged Will
lam at once to carry to her-and wa.
ready to start on night ride to Glen
vile.
The brawny groom with difficulty helC
the restless horse by the bit but tn,
slight girl who stood upon the block
with pale f2ce and set teeth, gathered
the reins In her hand, leaped fearlessly
into the saddle, found the stirrup, anc
said, "Let hira co." without culver Ii
her voice. The horse stood upright, anG
paved the air for moment with hi:
feet, gave few mighty leaps to make
sure of his liberty and then, stretching
cut his neck, bounded forward in a RAGS
which would require all the mettle O
his endless line of noble sires.
AS she was borne like an arrow down
the avenue, and turned into the Glen
vile road, Lily heard the whistle of th'
train as it left the depot at Verdenton
and knew that upon her GOODNESS ant
resolution alone depended the life of he
father.
It was, perhaps, well for the accom-
plishment of her purpose that, for som
time after setting out on her perilou
journey, Lily Servosse had enough to d.
to maintain her seat and guide and con
troll her horse.
She had always made it rule to visi
his stall every day, SO that, although sh
had never ridden him, the horse wa
familiar with her person and voice. ]
was well for her that this was the case
for, as he dashed away with the spec
of the wind, she felt how powerless sh
was to restrain him by means of the bii
Nor did she attempt it. Merely feelin
his mouth, and keeping her eyes on tn
road before him, in order that no SUD
den start to the right or left should tax
her by surprise, she coolly kept her sea
and tried to soothe him by her voice.
With head outstretched, and sinew
neck strained to its utmost, he few owe
the ground in wild, mad race with th
evening wind, as it seemed.
The night was growing chilly by thi
time. As the wind struck her at th
hilltop she remembered that she ha
thrown hooded waterproof about he
before starting. She stopped her hors
and taking off her hat gathered her lon
hair into mass, and thrust it into tn
hood, which she drew over her head
and pressed her hat down over it. The
she gathered the reins, and they wei