The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-03-25

sion through him, for it was ten minutes
later than the time at which he had cal
culated to be in that place. He had
come fast enough; it was not that. 1t
must be that the clock at the farm house
had been slow, and what fatal slow
ness that might be.
Fred thought of Clara; of her father
stepping on board the boat, never to see
her again; and then came remem-
brance of a cart-path which went across
piece of woodland and came out on
the main road almost mile nearer
Northport than it was by the travelled
way. The path must be close by here.
He was sure he had not passed it, and
there it was. Without hesitation, he
turned his horses head in that direction
and rode ON beneath the low-drooping
trees. More than half way through he
saw ahead of him fallen tree, lying di-
rectly across the way. Can you imagine
the pang that went through the boys
heart, as he saw thatP No time to go
back, ard on each side thickly- growing
wood, filled with heavy growth of briar
and underDrush.
Again he thought of the girl lying at
home there and moaning and calling for
her father, and he resolved to try. He
no more remembered himself than if he
could not be hurt.
$50 on, Thunderr' he shouted.
The colt was not half broken in any
way. He knew nothing of leaping; but
! he saw that there was an obstacle before
/ him and his instinct was to Jump over it.
He flew on; he gathered his four legs
under him, he rose in the air like some
winged.thing, and as if upborne, he
went over the tree and landed on the
other side without having touched a
twig of it.
AS for Fred, was there any breath left
in him? He thought that it did not
come back for several minutes after the
horse had landed; but he was conscious
of swelling sense of magnificent tri-
umph.
The colt was as wet as if he had been
in the water; the perspiration dropped
off him as he went and his blazing eyes
protruded and seemed to emit sparks.
Three minutes later, and horse and
rider had entered the outskirts of North
port Thunderbolt was running now
Everybody stood and gazed 1t was as
if some demon horse had gone by. Did
he have wings, or was tia mortal steedp
In two minutes more they had reached
the depot. Fred was off his back almost
before the animal had stopped and had
dashed into the station.
Telegraph he gasped out to the
clerk, who instantly put himself in read
mess, seeing how urgent was the case:
Telegraph to Charles Roth, Wharf of
Cunard Steamers, East Boston. Clara
is i'll. Come back Have you got it?'
The clerk nodded.
MAKE it go, then. I'll wait" whis-
pered the boy, and he gave his name,
and then sank back helpless and trem-
bling on a settee. The reaction had
come. Something gurgled up to his
lips. He fumbled for his handkerchief
He heard some one say: Mercy
What's the matter with the boyr' And
then he had his handkerchief to his
mouth and saw that the linen was stained
with blood.
He dimly knew that two or three peo
pie hurried to him. He smelled harts.
horn and tasted of brandy, but he was
not conscious of thinking of anything
but Would Mr.. Roth get itP''
Some questions were asked him, bu
he did not try to reply.
Outside, half dozen men were clus
tered about the dripping and painting
horse.
How much time passed Fred did no
know. He was laid on lounge and hi
) was willing to lie very quietly. No more
! blood came, and he dropped into kline
of doze. He started up instantly, how
ever, when he heard voice, saying
/, 'Here's your answer"
He took the paper and read:
!, Am coming. G. ROTH"
: "Now, I'll 60" said the boy, getting
on his feet. where's ThunderboltP"
"You are not going on the horse,
said man, speaking with authority
1 IN take you in my buggy"
; 1t was the doctor who had been sum
i moned and who carefully questioned
Fred as they rode homeward, the col
having been put in a stable until h
should be called for.
; Contrary to the doctors fears, Free
=, was not Ill, although he had to be yer,
! quiet for a week or two. When h
. reached the house and was allowed Il
= tell Clara himself that her father ha,
a not sailed and that he was coming t,
4 her, he thought the look ON her fac
p paid him for his Journey. When, tn
: next day, he saw the girl lying in he
a fathers arms, he was more than eve
= glad.
8 Il should never have forgiven my
e self if had sailed" said Mr.. Roth t
4 the boy. Il owe you more than cal
q tell. The doctor says Clara's Joy a
my return has given him hope tina
d her system may rally from the injury.
s The gentleman was holding Fred
hands in both his own, as he spoke, an