The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-02-23
young mans heart throbbed as it had

"By the way" said Mr.. French a,
last. Il am fearfully hungry. How
do you feel?"
Il am quite hungry. too. but dom
worry about that Lot us not talk or
the subject, but try aud forget oul
woes"
mot at all. am going to shoot one
of those ducks ahead there, one of the
canvas backs Now if you will excuse
the use of my back temporarily l will
blaze away. One shot no good. Sec.
ond shot-ah, two ducks dead-pretty
good for pistol"
As the ducks were floating ahead Of
the log at the same rate of speed, he
sprang into the water and rapidly
overlook them He was somewhat ex.
hausted on returning, and handed the
ducks to Miss Harrington. Then he
tried to climb on the log, but slipped
back, exhausted. Miss Harrington
put out her hand and grasped ibis.
Many a man has seen times in his life
when, If girl had put out her little
hand when he was all surrounded with
darkness and despair, his fortunes
would have bloomed again as the rose.
Many girl bias lost the man she
loved for hesitating at the critical
moment when her lovers fortune hung
in balance. Remember, young
ladies, that the man who falls rises
higher than ever when he again gets
up.
With the aid of Miss Harrington, Mr.
French once again was safe on the log.
Il owe my life to you," he said,
feryently pressing the hand that saved
him.
But 1 owe mine doubly to YOU.
You not only rescued me but risked
your life to get me some food"
"Can you cook?' he asked, sudden
ly changing the subject"
"Oh, yes" said the yonng lady,
blushing and laughing at the ridicu-
lousness OF the suggestion.
Mr.. French took metallic box from
his pocket and with match set one
end of the log on fire.
Now" said he. "while l confine
the fire with water, you roast the
ducks"
In few minutes the girl pronounced
the ducks as in proper edible con-
dition, and Mr.. French carved them
with his pocket-knife. The pair then
sat down facing each other and en-
joyed the novel banquet as they had
never enjoyed eating before. 1t was
late in the afternoon when the cam
vass-backs had satisfied them. The
sun was getting so suSpiciously toward
the horison that his light no longer
touched the east wall of the canyon.
Miss Agnes Harrington suddenly
looked up. with a half appealing. half
dread expression on her beautiful face
"Mr French" she said. "do you
think we will have to ride all nIght?"
Il fear So"
"Oh, this is dreadful, and she
bowed her face in her hands.
He looked at her a moment in puz-
zled manner. Then he comprehended.
Moving very near to her he took the
hands in his own and kissed them very
tendcrly, considering short acquaint-
ance. Miss Agnes" he said. pardon
me for calling you Agnes, 1 feel the
delicacy of the circumstances. But
we must save our lives, even at the ex-
pense of what society may say of our
strange ride at night together. only
want to know one thing. Can you
trust me?'
Trust you? yes; as 1 would my
father
why not as your lover, dear one.
l do love you. You saved my life
land l love you who twice saved
my life.'
He drew her to his arms and made
her ride more comfortably, by hold
ing her head on his broad shoulders. At
dusk the log glided into rocky coun-
try, where the high walls were no lon
ger seeh- Suddenly a cry of terror
was heard and man was seen to rush |
from the rocks and spring into the riv-
er, followed by the reports of several |
pistol-shots. Rapidly the log glided |
past the place, and soon the man
caught it and was pulled up to a safe
place BY Mr.. French.
Hush" he whispered, hoarsely..
Cattle thievesi'
The log glided silently along for
time. I'VE have escaped" said the
man. cheerfully.
might l inquire where we are?"
said Nj. French.
You are about a hundred miles
above landing place and you ought
TO be glad of it. -
why, it will require an all-night
journey, and we are tired riding all
day"
Miss Harrington gave voice to just a
little sob. Still. she couldn't be COM
promised by the presence of two men.
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