The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-08-22

No poet has ever sung it, no story
teller chronicled it. But l should like
to have seen 1.-THE flying coal-black
young horse, with blazing intent eyes,
matched by those of the girl he bore,
her erect figure, her loosened hair
streaming in the wind, her fearless and
gallant air. would like to have seen
it! And, please do not tell me that
baal did not know and understand the
peril. and his duty.
Molly felt herself slipping. There was
nothing to do but to stop and tighten
them. She sprang to the ground and
drew the straps with firm stroDg fingers
that did not tremble, while Baal bent his
head and touched her neck caressingly.
In the silence she heard the coming quick
canter of her persuer. Up again and
away! down by the border of the brook
that trickled unsteady under the bend
ing alders. On through the clearing in
the heart of the woods where the
fringed gentians lifted their eyes of
steadfast blue to the blue heavens
above, a mere flash of silver and blue
in Molly's eyes rs she fled past; on and
on. under interlacing oaks through
which only an occasional sunbeam
filtered dropp ug its glory on the flying
pair; over beds of yielding pine needles
that gave back no echo to Baars quick
falling hOofs, through sunlight and
shadow without pause they fed, and Al
ways the sound OF the quick coming
canter behind.
Once Molly thought of the rifle hang
s<1
dear home kitchen. She had brought
down many a wild goose or marauding
hawk with it. and . that she had il
,, in her hand now.
They were just entering upon the
fourth mile and the coming canter
sounded perilously near. when Molly
saw at n turn of the road horSeman
| approaching, and rs he drew near--O
Joy too great almost for reality it was
Jack Thompson himself on his own
sorrel horse with his rife at his saddle.
He looked his surprise at the breakneck
speed with which Mollie came on, and
his surprise did not lessen as she refined
Baal by his side, turned pale, reeled in
her saddle. then making mighty effort
to regain her composure giggled con-
vulsively and ended by dropping the
reins. and her head, too, on Baal's neck
and sobbing outright
Bat all this was soon explained Jack
was for riding back and settling the
rascal" then and there; but the .'ras-
CA" whoever he may have been, must
have seen farther pursuit was useless
certainly Jack and Molly both heard
the sound of his horses steps dying
gradually in the distance.
1t was early evening, young moon
in the sky, as the two rode into the
poplar-shaded yard. Molly was warm
" welcomed, and then Baal being in
troduced. the condition Of his coat was
observed. and the story of her peril and
escape told. Baal became hero from
that hour. Nothing was too good for
him, and if he was not fed on gilded
oats, like Caligula's famous charger, it
was because he preferred them green
and do not dare to tell you to what an
age he attained.
But this will relate-that not many
years after, Baars mistress, with the
new master she had given him, took
their wedding journey on his back, Jack
in the saddle and Molly on the pillion
behind to Boston to visit an aunt of
Jacks who lived in palatial mansion
on Franklin street.
Molly's children and grandchildren
often heard the story of this ride from
her lips. l have heard it myself sit
ting by the open fireplace grandmam-
ma on one side, her pretty, soft, old
lady's hands busy with the much-loved
kritting-work, and grandpapa oppo-
site, still tall and handsome, VITA his
courtly manner, his old-fashioned dress,
the ruffied shirt-bosom and frills at the
waist, always the realization of my
ideal of gentleman of the old re.
gime.-Wide AUake.