Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-08-10

all at once they became conscious of tn
storm gathering about them. With
frightened face Annis suddenly exclaim
ed, as she turned towards home:
1--WE must hasten, May, for the ponie
are afraid of lightning"
Rapidly onward came the ominsousl,
threatening clouds. while now and the,
the thunder rolled its sonorous peals.
Anrls was a good horsewoman, ant
now with steady hand she held tn,
reins, while she urged Nip and Tuck t.
their fullest speed.
Suddenly, as they were upon the brow
of long, steep hill, at the end of which
the road turned abruptly to the right, &
vivid flash of forked lightning shone be.
fore their eyes.
With one terrified bound the ponies
were off at a mad pace. Nothing could
stop them. Of no avail were the girlisl
figures which endeavored to check then
wild career.
Standing erect, Annis retained her
grasp upon the reins; but her eyes
dilated with an agonized expression as
she saw the almost certain destruction
which lay before them. At the foot Of
the hill which they were swiftly de-
ssending was a high stone wall.
"Annis," exclaimed May, "can you
stop them before they get to the foot of
the hill?"
In low, intense tones came the hope
less answer:
''No, May; 1 can do nothing with
them. We are doomed ~
With a 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"
As Annis heard the piteous words a
sudden determination flashed into her
mind She had once read of brave
deed which at the time had filed her
with marvel. Could she not do the
same thing herself, and save her friends
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. 1
think that before long can check this
terrible speed, and in that instance do
you Jump from the carriage"
May looked wonderingly into Annis's
face, scarce comprehending her words.
"Check that terrible speed?" 1t seemed
certainly more than human power could
do.
'Now, May" cried Annis. With
these words she had made a desperate
spring, and the next moment she had
landed sGuarely upon the back of one
of the ponies, and 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
snort and scream the two ponies dashed
on, shaking from her insecure seat the
brave girl.
The storm was over. The clouds had
and once more the sun came
forth in royal splendor His rays fell
upon a 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 the expense
of her own.
Another summer had come and gone
and it was fall again. In one of Natures
loveliest spots, Swallowed by dropping
elm, near which a 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 a gentle kiss upon the
grave beneath, and fell upon the bowed
heads of two mourners. It was Ralph
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 them
in the wears to come.