The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-10-23

head 10 examine the windows OF the hoiscs
TO surprise pair Of eyes that contem-
plated him. n hand that drew aside cur
tain. and he was happy at the little eject
produced by his passage.
IunpcIled by force OF habit. he hah taken
the road to the quarters lie perceived II
presently and smiled cOniemptuolsly;
nevertheless continued his route ilo de-
sired TO see for the last time The beings
and things familiar 10 him He salnted
with the tips Of his fingers the sentry who
presented arms, gave all amicablc good
day 10 the SOUS officer Oh guard, man OF
his own squadron, made Il. .'ogr of the
barracks without dismoun !. threw a
glance Into the stables. directed the oiiicer
OF the day TO remit some punishments
that he had inflicted the evening before,
passed to the gate. leaped il aud turned
and swept the building with q gaze "
adieu
Only then did his heart sink. and fear
ing the trouble that iuradcd Aim. io put
his mare to the trot seeking 20 fly bis
weakness lie had resumed thc way to
the forest. before long he was in the
wood Rays Of sunlight filtered through.
out the leaves designing the shad OF
the trees and branches upon the brownish
earth Drops Of tie nights rain STU.
pear.cl upon the grasses.
Capt Randon brought bis horse 10 e
walk There is plenty Of time he
thought. and allowed himself % go drclr-
ing iliy soothci by the FRESHNESS Of i-e
morning breeze.
IN the meantime he had passed into a
wide sandy alley-'the training alley.
as he remembered. of ia. barracks he
had Travelled two l.ii1meters at jump
he dropped the reins upon Ninichcs neck.
and the head and shoulders OF the mare
balanced 20 the right and balanced 20 the
left with the regularity Of pendulum
Random was absolutely coutcnt-content
with the pride Of resolution well ana
firmly taken He was happy even TO hnd
himself calm and proud Of his bravery
At the end Of the alley he traverscd a
wide clearing. and hundred meters fur
Their stopped Behind tall hedge near
by, stones throw from the Highway
not more. the line of the railway ran; the
descent that led TO il was perpendicular
and covered with pebbles and jagged
points of stone. Pale as 4 corpse Ran
don observed it, a strange emotion hold
ing him. his legs weakening beneath him.
He made a half turn threw his animal
upon her launches and advanced again,
but at walk There was plenty Of time.
Niniche was afraid Of "a tree that had
fallen across her route, and plunged vio-
lently A little mor5 and Random had
been dismounted. 1t was a painful sur
prise to him.
"Chut." he cried, what IS the matter
with mc? Can | ride I'D more, AGl.
afraid of being afraid. be stificned him
s,lf anew and BEGAN 10 pet and soothe her
less to calm his animal perhaps. than
- rcassurc himself.
Gently Mamie. gently no precipi'a-
ton Easy. my girl easy Thou shalt
havc thy gallop BIZ and by.
Again he stoppc ard made a half turn;
again hesi,a.cl. for tho desire % wheel,
tie desire u IT, AMI turn 10 moro L-i
come upon hin strongly. but only for an
instan- Tten quicsiy-ulwilling to
allow himself a moment - reflect, mo-
mont ID rogret-he rose IN his s-irrups
bent his body forward, and-the race
began
The wind cut his face, tears wet lis
eYclashcs. bit still he went With dizZying
rapidly. the trunks If tho trees passing
hin like sDcctcrs ,,Othing was clear or
Misunderstanding but vagac. confused
impression that il was his lIe thus lying
from him in fragments.
But still he went. and now il was the
noise Of q horse that De believed be heard
pursuinr Lin 10 turneI iu tho saddle
ro,hilg-the noise was nothing but the
noise If the pebbles that Mini dying
feet cast behind her 3rt this l1ca that
a horse pursued him pleased his fancy
set II coilg. and Immediately le imagined
himself upon tie 'trac.s and making tho
last Grand round. he hurried the pace OF
his mount
To circuit 6f the clearing he'd twice
been passed, the giant was trightiul brt
tho Ledge was before him. behind the
hcdgc-Ec OWNED 1t without seeing it
tic precipicc, with its jaggo ], rocky sides!
Thon ho felt himself ut the cnd II his
brc.ih-the air he swallowed came from
bis painting lungs in shrill whistlings
Ia the tvinkling Of ga eye hc had a
vision. dim realization 90 that which
vas 70 10 his DEATH iall into space
complete failure of respiration, q crushing
blow upon the head
The idea II stopping lis rlafc crossed
his mind 10 Jorl tho lcins-too Late.
Already he vas upon o., q lro' llo closed
his eyes. ho abandoned himself, but in
stinctiyoly l)oscaing the reins and lo,k
ing his legs according q lis habit when
leaping Obstacles.
He had q half consciousness Of the mo-
ment when Ninchc arose IN the air lie
experienced i sense OF relief. 1t was I'm
/ ishcdl
Ilo forcel hiasclf neither 10 hear, %
SEQ nor to breathe. bnt he bent his spine
as ono who awaits voiley Of blows from
a cudgel Ilc fell, he bounded. he rolled
! How long il Yes. that bounding and roll
/ ing: and then-that dull noise Of a shock
upon hard ground that lie heard
Il an swooning. ho thought. lam -
a cruel pain in lis head recalled him. "Hc
/ he'd broken it. Had he But Inmedi-
ately there was second shock that shook
| him from head TO foot-a sensation OF
rondng and tearing throughout his body.
/ He remembered that he had fallen upon
/ the Observation-Disclosures train had
passed. train that had cut him IN two.
All his ideas were clouded-a mist be
fore his cyes-but he was peaceful and
4 comfortable. very confortable-Lc wished
/ to remain thus a,ways-always- knew
no moroi