The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-02-28
a pair of cold. black eves met hers
.The fortune teller 7" she gaaDed

/ What q fascinating female ! maue !!
Se--I captivated even you. Let
me wrap this thick shawl xround
YOU. Mind, no nutcry when | lift
you down stairs !"
Terror had nearly paral,zed Vim
ME. and speechless she was borne
along.
"Only to Miners Cave, girl /; It's
hut a pace or more; from thence
Squire Corners heetest horses will
bear us to the Shore" said her cap
tor.
I Through the heavy snow. some-
times carrying, often dragging, the
almost fainting form ofthe girl, they
reached Miners Retreat.
.See. down that hollow hank my
horse. our horse, my bonnie bride,
is waiting. aud pp yonder ledge is
the bundle Of clnth-s that ~as n
passport +, Squire Corners Hallow
Eve party. Twas bad count Of
the Squire to let me make the thir-
teenth guest. owe him debt LII
pay vet. Come, be careful nov; do
not stumble into the quarry" eau
tion~u the man.
Gradually, Winnie began TO collect
her scattered senses. Must she be
torn from horne and happiness with
out helping hand to save her !?
Must she quietly submit to this in
dignity? Every sense Of injustice
WAS aroused within her.
Quickly the man proceeded to un-
fasten the bride of the horse. 1t was
the work of a moment to place Vim
ME on the animals back. Her shawl
became disarranged /; she flung it
aside.
Don't lose your wrap; do you
want to freeze, girl ?" angrily de-
manded the man, as the wind bore
it farther away.
He tried to get it. Winnie seized the
bride, thirruped to the horse, which
plunged, reared, then sped madly
forward.
"Halt! halt By the foul fiend, do
you mean te escape me yet y yelled
the enraged assassin. Halt, or |
fire !"
Winnie was desperate now. she
urged her horse forward.
Son, Robin. hy!" she shouted, ~
the intelligent animal laborcd vain
ly through the snow.
"Ha, ha. girl Better stand and
deliver! You have no plough horse,
that heast can only run on level
road" said the man, gaining on
her
vibnie's quick ear caught the
sound of voices.
Help! hrlp!' she called.
Girl, you are Inine!" said her
pursuer. grasping the reins. "You
led me a fine chase, but ! like spirit.
No one can help you. No2 move
along, and let number thirteen again
bear yea cnmpany.nn- --s
One hand resfed on the saddie
and one foot rested in the stirrup,
when an unexpected blow leveled
the ruffian to the ground.
For a while the man was stunned,
hut quickly rising. he came at his
assailant. Robin snorted and gal
loped on, while Winnie managed to
cling to the animals neck.
The moonlight's pale gleam shone
on man trembling with passion,
whose uplifted hand supported a
formidable weapon.
"Yon have crossed my path, Will
Mitchell. before This pistol settles
all claims.
A wasted life. without . wife,
Is all the fates can offer thee.
"You start; you've heard my
voice before"
The muzzle of the revolver was
near the face now Of the newcomer.
Here goes Say good night to
me and my bonnie bride" laughed
the assassin.
The pistol was discharged thro'
the hollow and over the frozen crags
the sound reverterated. until itseem-
cd az though legion Of invisible
combatants were fighting in the cold
air.
rhe hand that guided the weapon
was a practiced one but the ice was
treacherous, and the would-be assas-
sin lost his footing, and the ball
few wide of its mark. The fallen
miscreant found no weak contestant
in the sun-browned farmer, who bv
main force gained possession Of the
pistol.
Il will never yield! I shall never
live to be recognized!" he scream
ed.
As the moonlight rested on the
uptnrned face of the man, Will start
ed back and cried.
at cannot he Fred Corners, my
early friend"
Fred Lawleea, that's nv name.'
bitterly returned the other. do
YOU think if ! had been = real In
stead of an adopted son should he
here? Shoot me if you dare-but
I'll die game"
He made an effort tn rise. hut
s)ipped again. until suddenly he
stood M. Will watched his every
movement. Blinded with passion.
auivering in everv nerve. summon
ing all his strength. Fred rushed at
VIII, seeking to regain the pistol.
when. staggering forward. he Clutch
ed the empty air. while the blood
started from his mouth and nose.
and senseless and. exhausted, Fred
Lawlpss Law on the cold ground.
Will was hendine over the strick-
en- man when Fred Burlington found
him.
"Oh, Will. I heard the report and
feared the verv worst. but ! did not
know YOU ever carried arms. So
you've despatched the villain 2 Vim
ME is aafe with Ida nov. I can't
comprehend the whole affair. What
viii you do with this wretch 2"
At the last words the glazed eyes
afthe diving man opened !; painfully
his lips parted. and he looked into
Wills eyes and said:
@Ieaye me here tn die