The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-02-17
NUMBER 4.

seemed to concentrate In the moments as
they watched the fragile girl, as he sped
hopelessly on as if striving to evade, If only
for a moment the fate that awaited her
"Look look r. again shouted the young
man, pointing to dark object which neither
had previously observed
1t was a horseman, riding at full speed
toward the fleeing girl, dashing straight in
toward the fire as If willing to meet the
flames half way
To the men who watched his course It
seemed like rushing into the very Jaws of
death, but the horseman never faltered.-
With an encouraging shout to the girl who
now ran to meet him, he dashed onward, un-
needing the current of heated air and the
sitting smoke that was waited toward him.
''Too late too late He cannot repass the
ground,' groaned the father, as his eyes
measured the hopeless distance that lay be-
tween his child and safety.
eff there is a man in the world who can
save her it is John Harper, said his CON-
panion encouragingly.
"John Harper! Is it he % gasped the
father, "and it was only yesterday that
told her never to be seen in his company
| again, and now the brave fellow is riding
/ straight into the flames to perish with her, -
and the hopeless father grOaned in anguish.
''See he has reached her; and he swings
/ her to q seat behind him, and wheels about
( to recross the ground" and with cheering
shout the young man endeavors to encourage
the heroic fellow.
HAS he gone mad % he asked a few mo-
I Iot ia uot tolrfDr tho sbcr4az
cut, but is bearing away to the right
"It matters not it is but hopeless race
with the winds, and no horse in America
could run it. o, my poor child, o, my brave
boyr' and the father covered his face with
his hands and groaned in agony.
The rider knew the strength Of the animal
as well as any one he could feel the pant
ing sides and note the slackened speed of the
willing beast, and clearly realize the iEabli-
ty of the horse to carry his double burden
across the intervening space, but if he could
urge him to make a few more desperate
bounds he could reach the solitary tree that
stood like a lone sentinel in the midst Of that
scene of terror and desolation.
The horse already staggered with exhaus-
tion, but with whip and voice he urged him
on until trembling in every limb, he paused
beside the tree.
"Quick, Lily. climb for your life 9" he
+ said, standing erect in the saddle, and help
ing her as far as he could reach, then swing
! ing himself up he assisted her to a seat upon
a branch out of the reach of the scorchinE
. flames.
/ The horse stood for few seconds, as II TO
recover breath for a final effort, and freed
from his burden, made another effort for his
/ own safety. lie staggered forward, and fell
/ upon his knees, just inside the burned re-
/ gion, where the men were standing, and not
/ a moment too soon. The father ran to him,
and throwing his arms around his neck. ca
ressed him in tears OF gratitude.
'Ill take it all back, John. You're good
enough for the Presidents daughter; take
Lily and my whole farm with her, if you
want TO-" he said as he grasped the brave
mans hands as he descended from the tree.
'I'll accept your offer, minus the farm, 81
was the smiling reply.
"Hcw came you out here, Lily % asked
the father.
81 came to look for you. You had been
+ gone so long that we feared that the flames
had overtaken you, she answered.
"Well, don't you ever get John IN such 6
scrape again"
And she never did.-Artb1r's Magazine.