Omaha daily bee., 1883-12-01

pass it over this time. The girl is crazy
to trust herself with such a whip as he is.
You must keep a sharp lookout for them,
Rob"
That was Just what I intended to do.
There was a delicious supper, of which
we partook heartily, for we all had keen
appetites ter our ride in the frosty night.
Then, after a while, we prepared to start
for home. | had ordered my sleigh to
the door and was waiting very inpatient
ly for the appearance of Miss Crosby,
when | saw Henrietta coming along the
passage, attended by Mr.. lowering, who
helped her into his sleigh, then jumped
in hurriedly himself, and taking the rcins
drove rapidly away i'll a direction entire
ly opposite to that which led to THE
Films" Here, then, were some grounds
for my uneasiness | did not take time
TO think. Miss Crosby was as thoroughly
forgotten as il she had never lived
I threw myself into my sleigh and,
with my fine little pair of spirited
Arab horses, was on their track like the
wind.
L~evering's horses, too, were thorough
breds from the stable OF Mr.. Crofton, and
the race between us was a fearful one.
Once / approached them so closely
that l plainly heard Henrietta calling
out to me for aid, which almost mad.
dened me. In desperation 1 applied
the lash to my Arabs and, with their
increased speed, gained upon Lever
ing so rapidly there was no escape for
him.
lowering stopped his horses as I came
up. Worn out with their long drive they
stood painting, while he threw down the
reins and advanced upon me with the
whip uplifted in his hand, which | wrest-
ed from him, when he gave me a blow
with his clenched fist that made me stag
ger. For Henrietta's sake l tried to avoid
violence, but found the effort of no avail
and closed with him. The struggle was
desperate, but [ finally came off conquer,
or and my antagonist lay senseless on the
snow.
Henrietta's loud screams had attracted
the attention of some people living ear
by. After giving them the name of Mr..
Crofton aud saying that an accident had
happened, they consented to stable the
horses until morning and take care of
lowering, who was now recovering con-
sciousne1s q.
| placed Henrietta in my sleigh. She
sufficiently composed she told me that
when they started from the hotel she
thought of course she was going home,
and that it was not until Mr.. lowering
had declared his intention of taking her
to New York and marrying her immedi-
ately that she discovered he was inebri-
ated, which she supposed was the cause
of his unmanly conduct.
''Aud you can still find excuses for him,
Henrietta?"
"No, Rob, | cannot. Yet it is all
your fault that this terrible thing hap
pened. You took it into your head to
with politeness, and it was in revenge
that | encouraged Mr.. Coverings atten-
tons.
"You mado mo suffer enough for any
fault may have committed. Will you
forgive meg
sit is | who ought to ask forgiveness of
you, dear Rob, of you to whom | owe SO
much"
Then will you give me back the place
| once hold in your atfections2'
"You have never been deprived Of it,"
answered Henrietta.
"And you still intended to be my little
wifel"
ST you will accept of me after all my
wicked conduct" was the answer.
And 30 the matter was settled.
The next morning Mr.. Croften sent foI
his horses and to inquire about Mr..
lowering. The horses were returned
in safety, but Mr.. lowering had dis
appeared, and tho Croftons never saw
him again.