The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-08-25
TRI-WEEKLY EDITION.

effort Annis regained her self-control
and said, calmly, as she kissed the little
nngloved hand which had nestled itself
in her own:
''Then Ralph Coleridge is the happy
man9 Indeed I do congratulate you,
May for he is, as you say, good and
noble. AS n wife you cannot help but
be happy"
Whom the girls had driven away from
"Greyhurst" the sun was shining
brightly, but, though they had not motto
ed it, in the distance there had boen q lit
tie cloud "like mans hand" and now
all at once they became conscious of the
storm gathering about them. With a
frightened faco Annis suddenly cxclaim-
ed, rs she turned towards home:
"Wo must hasten, May, for the ponies
are afraid of lightning"
Rapidly onward came the ominsously
threatening clouds. while now and then
the thunder rolled its sonorous pecls.
Annis was good horsewoman, and
now with n steady hand she held the
reins, while she urged Nip and Tuck to
their fullest speed.
Suddenly, rs they were upon the brow
of long, steep hill, at the end of which
the road turned abruptly to the right, a
vivid flash of forked lightning shone be-
fore their eyes.
With one terrified bound tho ponies
were off at n mad pace. Nothing could
stop them. Of no avail were the girlish
figures which endeavorcd to check their
wild career.
Standing erect, Annis retained her
grasp upon the reins; but her eyes
dilated with all agonized expression as
she saw the almost certain destruction
which lay before them. At the foot of
the hill which they were swiftly de-
scending was high stone wall
"Annis," exclaimed May, "can you
stop them before they get to tho foot of
the hill?"
In low, intense tones came the hope
less answer:
"No, May; I can do nothing with
them. We arc doomed !"
With sobbing cry May bowed her
head upon her hands.
"Ralph! Ralph Can it be that I
shall never see you again? o! it is so
hard to die so young and so happy p
AS Annis heard the piteous words q
sudden determination flashed into her
mind. She had once read of brave
deed which at the time had filled he,
with marvel. Could she not do the
same thing herself, and save her friend IS
life?
For herself it did not matter she WAS
alone in the world but for May-should
her life be spared-a future of happiness
with him she loved SO dearly stretched
out before her. Stopping, she said
quietly:
"May, listen; do not give way. I
think that before long I can check this
terrible speed, and in that instance do
you jump from the carriage"
May looked wonderingly into Annis's 3
face, scarce comprehending her words
"Check that terrible speed?" It seemed
certainly more, than human power could
do.
"Now, May" cried Annis. With
these words she Ind made desperate
spring, and the next moment she had
landed squarely upon the back of one
of the ponies, md had grasped the
check-rein with all her force.
With startled plunge the ponies
stopped-then reared wildly and stood
paving the air with their hoofs.
Jump, May jump for your life |"
cried Annis !; and May obeyed.
A few wild plunges, and then with q
snort and scream the two ponies dashed
on, shaking from her insecure seat tho
brave girl.
The storm was over. The clouds had
dispersed, md once more the SUN came
forth in royal splendor. His rays fell
upon q pitiful scene. Upon two girlish
forms-one, yet living, but unconscious
where she had fallen--the other, still
and quiet, with the solemn seal of death
set upon the white, bruised face.
Annis had saved her friends (and her
unconscious rival's) life at tho expense
Of her own.
Another summer had como and gone
and it was fall again. In one of Natures
loveliest spots, shadowed by dropping
elm, near which limpid streamlet
glided with happy murmur on its way
to the sea, marble shaft reared its
snowy head.
The sunshine glancing through the
leaves, dropped O. gentle kiss upon the
grave beneath, and fell upon the bowed
heads Of two mourners. 1t was Relph
and his newly made wife, and in softly
whispered tones they talked together of
her who slept below, to whose heroic
deed both owed the happiness which life
had already given and still held for thom
in the years to come.
Why Teetli Decay.
One great cause of decayed teeth is
drinking cold liquids Immediately after
having had some hot article in the mouth.