San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-10-16
THROUGH DINGER,;
Or
LIFE IN AUSTRALIA.

UhemY On. Ii she could but make him
know she was there. Ii she could but
shake off this weight on tongue and
limb.
"All right, mate. &c remarked Herbert
Archer. with careless laugh. Il have
no wish to NEEDLE with other folks
concerns"
Great Heaven. ne was going. Her
only chance of escape in few moments
would be gone. Could she make no eff
fort. She would try.
Mr.. Archer. help"
The words to her own ears seemed ut
tered far away, the movement she made
so slight as to be almost impercGptibe;
but she was soon assured she had sue
ceeded.
''By Heaven" she heard Herbert
Archer eXCaim, lit is a woman"
''Stand back, or Wen put a bullet
through you
That's a game that can be played by
more than one. fellow. You do not
pass until l see whom you have there,
and whether it is by consent
An oath WAS tie retOrt, followed by
a pistol report.
her voice was louder.
Miss Granger! Great Heaven he
exclaimed. You rascally villains, re-
lease the lady"
Take her, if you can get her. At
him, job
Pistol report followed pistol report
swiftly. All was confusion and smoke.
Flo screamed: then grew silent from
terror Suddenly the man who held her
swayed in the saddle, his arm relaxed
from round her waist. She would have
fallen, but another arm lifted her, and
Herbert ArCher'S voice exclaimed:
Fear nothing, Miss Granger; you
are safe"
''Heaven bless you" she murmured
as she, with his aid, began removing
the muller from her face. "Oh!" she
added in CONSERVATION, you are ShOt!'
for Herbert Archer had uttered sharp
"Ah!' and reeled.
1T is nothing. Miss Granger. A
wound won in a righteous cause is
never to be regretted" he laughed
lightly. 1T was the final SalutatiOn of
your late aSsailants,n he continued as
he released her from the folds of the
wrapper.
"0h, where are they?" she murmured,
yet trembling.
"One, wisely, has taken to his heels;
the OJner Is IneTe.
Flo, looking, turned quickly away,
for her captOr laid face downward on
the sod.
Yes" continued Herbert Archer.
"ThiS is no sight for you, Miss Grain
ger Let us leave it,"
'What could have been their intent?"
said Flo. why could they treat me
thus?''
simply, conceive, for ransom" he
rejoined.
''IIow can thank you, Mr.. .Archerl
My gratitude is beyond expression.
Pray let us return at once home. Now
/ am safe, am full of concern for my
uncle and aunt. What will they imag-
ine-what suffer-frOm my absenceW
1--WE will return at once" he an
swered. THAT is, when you have
rested awhile. Indeed, you are too
much overcome for another six hours
ride yet"
"SiX hours ridel" calculated Flo, her
brain too confused still for her to no.
tice it as singular that her companion
should know the time she had been
from the station. Can it he so long as
that?"
Il fancy it must be. See, it is noon.
Sit here; you are faint. There is a
stream close by; I'll fetch you some
water
Flo was indeed faint. The excite
ment over, her strength began again to
fail, and gladly she sank down at the
foot of the tree to which he had led her.
During his brief absence she began to
reflect upon her position with renewed
anxiety. She was alone in the bush
with one whose love had once been so
passionate as to create fear in her, and
she grew yet more wiShful to return.
When Herbert Archer returned, with
a broad leaf, held as a cup, full of
water, she earnestly urged her desire
upon him.
Eyes, after you have rested, was his
reply. =.
"Indeed / have rested sufficiently"
she finally remarked, "and can better
bear the fatigue than this anxiety.
Pray, Mr.. Archer, let us CO."
She half rose; but, his hand quickly
on her arm, he restrained her.
Miss Grainger-FlOTence," he said
in a low tone, There are worse things
to bear than either fatigue or anxiety"
Looking up she met the passionate
expression Of his dark eyes. They
thrilled her with new fear. She
shrunk timidly back, while she MUIR
-1ured nnnfnsadlv'