Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1882-02-08

3 StthCh, itlt oi6 hni WI LOG thf'i
( il / failed.
81 I5ressed for dinner MS usual, and,
/ though every SCRAP Of color had left my
face. and knew that l could not sub.
due all expression of the horror that I
ielt, l preserved an outward ealmness,
end went ON down to the dining room as
I though the man that stood behind my
chair had not, only two short hours ago,
planned to take my husbands life.
How l got through / know not, but
( the meal was over at last.
Still I could do nothing till Delaney
| left the house and stated on his deadly
errand.
My plan was this.
When he had gone I intended TO 60
down to the stable, get the horse, and
ride to Col. Arbuthuot's, trying to reach
| il before Lionel had started on his way
home.
1t was daring step, but the only
chance lonely and isolated, we were
miles from any town, and no help was
possible.
l should have to ride hard, and, TO
avoid being discovered and stopped,
must make long round, which would
take me many miles out of my way.
AT last the time to act had arrived.
Delaney must have started long ere
this, and the servants would be at sup
per.
The clock was just striking as left
the room.
Going upstairs quickly, l put on my
habit and stepped out.
1t was n clear, bright night, with the
pale moon rising over the dark tree
tops, and shining coldly on the glossy
green evergreens, casting ghostly, weird
shadows across the path. reached the
yard, and saw, to my alarm, light in
the harness-room. Without taking time
to hesitate or think, l advanced softly,
and, peeping in. saw, to my great relief,
that it was only the stableboy bnsily
engaged rubbing up the harness. Open
ing the door, stood before the aston
| ished lad. who gazed with wide-open
eyes as though had been an appari-
! ton.
Christie" j said, saddle Rlfieman
as quickly as possible, want him."
"Sura, ma'am, you're never going
out to-night?"
"Ycs, i am. Qu;ck-don't stand
talking there, Int do as l tell you."
Burning with impatience, watched
him getting out RiReman, and then,
as ! was about to mount, catching sight
of the wonder and surprise ON Christie's
face, an idea seized me, and, sending
him back into the stable on some pre-
| text, l locked the door and took the key.
| No one knew where I was it would be
long before he could make himself heard,
no matter how loudly he called, for the
yard was long way from the house. In
another minute l was out of the gate
and cantering swiftly down the avenue
and out on the open road. Rifle
man" said, stroking his glossy neck,
sit rests with you to save your master.
You must do your best for the time is
short
Away we went, keeping well in the
shadow of the trees which skirted the
road the soft grass muffied the sound
of the horses hoofs, and faster, yet fast
er, I urged RiAeman to his topmost
speed, for what if were already too
late? The moon was nearly high in
the heavens, and knew the hour was
rapidly approaching. 1t was ride for
life, and on we flew with fearful rapidity.
What il Lionel were on his way al
ready. Oh for strength to keep mp a
little longer!
The entrance gates at Col. Arbuth-
nots stood wide open, and, with hope in
my heart, l galloped up to the house.
The door was opened by the Colonel
himself, who hurried ont in great alarm.
"My husband-isko hsrn?" ] gaspcd.
"No; he has Just left not more than
ten minutes ago, think; but what hns
happened2'
"Too late too late !" l cried.
"They have killed him Oh, Lionel,
Lionel r
They tried to stop me, but i broke
away; there might he time yet, il l rode
hard and fast. My horse might die in
the attempt-what mattered it? I.was
! life or death, now; and away again,
laundering down the avenue 1 went,
needless of cries and cntreaties to come
back.
Stopping o,is moment to listen, /
heard, far ahead, the rumbling sound OF
| wheels il seemed TO endow me with
new life and strength to keep up, to
struggle little longer; but poor Rife
man was almost done for. Breathing
hard, he still labored on, answering whip
and rein TO the Inst.
Gathering mp ell my energies for a
last effort, I urged Riaeman once more
10 gallon, and, sweeping round cor
Eincr, saw, with a wild CLEAN OF Joy and
hope, my husbands dog cart slowly as
ccnding long steep hill, right in front,
the foot of which on the other side was
the spot where the murderers were in
waiting. Every yard Of ground was OF