The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-04-22

liberately and carefully, for it was life
l succeeded, and oh! far worse than dealt
il failed.
80 dressed for dinner as usual, and
though every scrap of color had left m,
face, and knew that could not subdu
all expression Of the horror that felt,
preserved an outward calmness, and wen
on down to the dining-room AS thougl
the man that stood behind my chair hac
not, only two short hours ago, planned
to take my husbands life.
How 1 got through know not, but th,
meal was over at last.
Still l could do nothing till Delaney
bad left the house and started on hi,
deadly errand.
My plan was this.
When he had gone l intended to &c
down 10 the stable, get the horse, anf
ride to Colonel Arbuthnot's, trying tc
reach it before Lionel had started on hi.
way home.
1t was daring step, but the only
chance; lonely and isolated. we wers
miles from any town, and no help was
possible.
should have to ride hard and , to avoid
being discovered and stopped, 1 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 nine as ]
left the room,
Going upstairs quickly, put on MY
habit and stepped out.
1t was clear, bright night, with the
pale moon rising over the dark tree-tops,
and shining coldly on the glossy green
evergreens, casting ghostly. weird shad-
ows across the path. 1 reached the yard
and saw. with alarm, light in the bar
ness room. Without taking time to hesi.
tate or think. Iadvanced softly. and peep
ing in, saw to my great relief that it was
only the stable-boy busily engaged rub
bing up the harness. Opening the door.
l stood before the astonished lad, who
gazed with wide-open eyes as though /
had been an apparition.
Christie, 1 said, saddle Riflemau as
quickly as possible. want him."
"Sure ma'am, you're never going out
Tonight"
"Yes, am. Quick-don't stand talk
ing there, but do rs tell you"
Burning with impatience, 1 watched
him getting ont R feman. and then, Just
AZ was about to mount, catching sight
of the wonder and surprise ON Chlistie's 3
face. an idea seized me, and, sending him
back into the stable ON some prete1t, /
locked the door and took the key. No
one knew where 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 Louse. In an
other minute 1 was out of the gate and
cantering swiftly down the avenue and
out on the open road. "Rifieman," i
said, strokiug his glossy neck, sit rests
with you to save your master. You must
do your best for the ii he 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 faster, l
urged Rifeman to his topmost speed. for
what if / were already too latep The
moon WAS nearly high in the heavens,
and knew the hour was rapidly ap-
preaching. 1t was a ride for life, and on
we few with fearful rapidity.
What il Lionel were en- his way already?
oh, for strength to keep up a little longer !
The entrance gates at Colonel Arbuth-
not's stood wide open. aud, with hope in
my heart, 1 galloped up to the house.
The door was opened by the Colonel him
self, who hurried out in great alarm.
my husbands he heref" gasped.
mo, be has just left-not more than
ten minutes ago, think; but what has
happened?'
"Too late, too late!" 1 cried. They
have killed Kim! Oh, Lionel, LionelI'
They tried to stop me but broke
away; there might be time yet, If rode
hard and fast. My horse might die in
the attempt-what mattered III II was
lie or death now; and away again, thun-
dering down the avenue went. needless
of cries and entreaties to come back.
Stopping one moment to listen. I heard,
far ahead, the rumbline sound of wheels;
it seemed TO endow me with new life and
strength 10 keep up. to struggle little
longer; but poor Rifispsn was almost
done for. Breathing hard, be still labor
ed on, answering whip and rein TO the
last.
Gathering mp all my energies for last
effort, urged Riheman once more to
gallon, and sweeping round corner, saw.
with wild CLEAN of Joy and hope, my
husbands dog-cart slowly ascending a
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 great value
now.
1 tried to call out, but only feeble
cry escaped my lips; and, still running
with kind Of strength and determine
tion-given despair, pushed on, till
suddenly all grew dim and indistinct- /
was conscious only Of q great and terri
bls darkness rising and hiding nay hus-
band from my sight, struggling 90 blind