Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-01-29

head against my overcoat. Don't
He stepped out into the clearing, much
TO Flora's surprise.
Miss Wilson, do you know the way to
Michenay'sw
mo, l don't; I wish 1 did" She tried
to speak defantly, but it was easy to see
do you know about what has happened
here!" she asked abruptly.
~ know all about Antoine, and I am
going to see that you get home safely"
She turned without a word and walked be.
Soon they reached the old stables and
barns of Michenay. He ran in and bridled
q horse, backed him out of the stall and
into the shafts. Flora knew all such toy
gerry and fastened at least half the straps.
Nov, Mr.. Rawlins," she said, II am
going 7-iye myself home; you mustnot
rouse the Michenays. 1t is only eight
miles, and l 4 know ali the cross-roads."
He hesitated, thinking of the dilemma.
The road was dangerous, and the moon
very low. There might be drunken cattle
ut is not safe, Miss Wilson,"
Don't talk to me-" she cried. "rd
rather ecaM home than disturb any one in
the house.
Suddenly the way out revealed itself to
him. Mart Michenay was the brightest
and pluckiest Of fo1rteen-year-oldeboys.
He could keep . secret and he loved his,
teacher devotedly.
WATT" he said to Flora. "Drive up to
yonder oak, and wait there till l come
pa pack" he sprang over the fence, ran to
window down on the first floor, in a lean
Martin! MartinW
"Who is itn .f
"Mr. Rawlins. Pull on you clothes,
a TX q blanket and come out here quick.
Don't make a noise"
The boy was at his side in a minute.
They jumped the fence again and ran to
the buggy.
Nov, Martin, jump in and drive Flora
to any one."
"You can trust me, Mr.. Rawlins."
Rawlins shook the boys hand, lifted his
hat to Flora and ran back, down the hol-
low, splashing across the brook, straight
up the path. He heard their wheels rattle
once, and then no more. Mary was sitting
where Rawlins had left her, crying softly
to herself. She had been scarcely fifteen
minutes alone.
They walked on at once, and he told her
of Flora's departure, praised Martin, made
the most cheerful remarks he could think
Of, happy If he had the slightest assent
from his companion. But presently she
broke-out: "What will become of him."
"He is n splendid rider, Mary-none bet.
ter in the region-and his horse will carry
him safely all night, unless" The
teacher stopped, aghast ut his own stupid
"Unless what, sir?" said the trembling
girl.
.It is not likely to happen. They might
roll down q hillside, but then hat might
sure.footed, l think we may hope for the
best.O
ooh, SIR" she whispered, ST am so glad
you think SO. I've always liked Antoine,'
she said as simply Us a child. "We played
together long ago. He,savedm y life down
like Antoine"
"Of course it is; and don't you think he
too, remembers his childhood"
"But perhaps not the same way"
Perhaps not" said the schoolmaster
musingly. MARY" he went on abruptly
and more than hat in experience. I tel
you that you q live without Antoine
Think that l know nothing about it, ii yo,
ike-but don't fail to keep at the head Of
your classes, and do everything just as 20,
| did BEFORE"
lie felt compunctiously that this wa,
rather stern preaching. for the littl,
maiden sobbing at his side. He put hi
hand gently OIL hers as it lay on hi!
arm. Ppm just rs sorry as l can be
youW
eyes, sir" she answered.
"Now, let us talk of something else.'
And he talked to her cheerfully till they
reached the Hester cabin.
He went directly home to Michenay's
Nc use looking for Antoine until morning
At ~daybreak the anxious teacher went t
Martins room and called him. Only al
hours sleep the boy had had, yet he cam,
out ready and smiling, q boy Of a million
for an emergency.
"Martin, did you aver know Roland tt
Eyes, indeed, sir, but Antoine brings hin
down."
"Suppose he was foolish enough, jus
for bravado, to jump on Roland unsaddlee
"Gracious, Mr.: Rawlins, Roland 'ud rur
to the top of Mount Lassen before hi
stopped"
tin"
In ten minutes they had caught and sad
died the two best colts in the home mdn0dd
and were galloping across the pasture be
yond; in a third ten minutes had found til,
trail-as who, indeed, could help? 1t wa:
like a blaze through a forest. Here ROLAND
slipped and staggered; there, he plowec
through the ground, flinging black mud fal
oAAA "AuSs u IL SllIo dAIo pA1AC NC 1cdPCu
yonder he swayed in sudden fright. Mar
tin asked no questions, but he fully com
pretended the emergency, and brought al
his woodcraft into play.
All! here Roland left the grassy low
lands, and took the hillside paths. HI
twisted like a snake about the pines. There
he ran between wotree trunks, and hardly
a foot to spare on either side; that is the
mark of Antoine's boot heel. Yondel
bough would nave killed him had he no
been lying on his face, clasping Roland's
name.
"Martin, Martin, it gets worse! cried
Rawlins. "Straight for the Big Slide, the
horse. has turned. Ride faster, Martin
faster! We can follow his trail at a gal.
lop."
Here the cliff begins, a hundred fee,
down, and Roland's hoof-marks are hardly
three feet from the edge. All, he SHE'D
back and ran off, but Antoine brings him
up again. Here they approached the cliff
once more, at q higher point, and brav,
Roland has reared, whirled, and again es'
capped.
Martins face grew suddenly pallid. "Mr
Rawlins," he cried, "Antoine did that o
purpose. He tried to make Roland ium1
OFF,
"How do you know"
"He put a handkerchief in his mouth
back there a piece, an pulled him round