Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-30


presented arms, gave an auicable good
dav to the SOUS officer on guard, q man Of
his own squadron. made the tour Of the
barracks without dsmounting, threw q
glance into the stables. directed the officer
Of the day to remit soEne punishmenss
that he had inflicted the evening before,
passed to the gate. leaped it and turned
and swept the building with a gaze Of
adieu
Only then did his heart sink, and, fear
ing the trouble that invaded him. he put
his mare 10 the trot, seeking to fly his
weakness Ee had resumed the way 20
the forest; before long lie was in the
woods Rays Of sunlight Uttered through
out the leaves, designing the shadows Of
the trees and branches upon the brownish
earth Drops Of the nights rain still
pearled upon the grasses
Capt Random brought his horse 10
walk There is plenty Of time" ne
thought. and allowed himself to go dream
ing idly, sootbed By the freshness Of the
morning breeze
In the meantime he had passed into a
wide, sandy alley-''the training alley"
as ne renem bered, of the barracks; be
had Travelled two klomerers at . jump
lie dropped the reips upon Ni1iches neck.
and the head ana shoulders Of the mare
balanced to the right an4 balanced 10 the
left with the regularity Of a pendulum
Random was absolutely coQtent-content
vi-a the pride Of e resolution vel aid
firmly taken lie ras happy even 70 find
himself calm and proud OF his bravery
y he end Of tbs alley he traversed
wide clearing. and 3 hundred meters fur
Their stopped Behind tall hedge near
Uv, 4 stones throw from the highway
TOT moro. the Inc Of the railway ran; the
descent that led 70 II vas perpendicular
ami covered with pebbles and Jagged
points Of stone. Pa-e as a corpse, Ran
don Observed it. a strange emotion hold
ing him, his legs weakening beneath him
Ee made q half turn, threw his animal
upon her launches and advanced again,
b1- q 2 walk There was plenty Of time.
Nlntc4e vas afraid Of tree that hid
fallen across her route, and plunged vio
leu5Iy. J little more aud Random has!
been discounted Il was painful sur
prise - hin
''Chuc." he crisi, what is the matter
With me? Can ride no more?" And,
afraid Of being afraid. he stifened him
self anew ant'began 10 pet and soothe her
less 70 calm MS animal, perhaps. than
70 resssure himself.
Gently. Minnie. gently; no precipita-
ton Easy, NJ girl. easy. Thou shalt
have thy gallop by and by
Again he stopped and made a half turn;
again hesitated, for the desire to wheel,
the desire to dy and turn no more had
come upon him strongly; but only for an
instant Then quickly-unwilIing 70
allow himself moment 70 reflect, mo-
InclI 70 regret-he rose in his stirrups,
bent his body forward, and-the race
began!
The wind cut his face, tears wet his
eveiashes. but stiu he went with dizzying
rlDiQlty, the truuas of the trees passing
him Ike specters. Nothing was clear or
Misunderstanding but a vague, confused
impression that It was his lie thus flying
from hin il fragments,
But sail be went. and now it was the
noise OF horse that he believed he heard
pursuing him He turned in the saddle
n0chiHg-the noise was nothing but the
noise Of the pebbles that Niniches flying
feet cast behind her But this idea that
a horse pursued him pleased his fancy,
set il going, and Immediately he imagined
himself upon tie track" and making the
last grand round lie hurried the pace OF
LIS mount
The circuit Of the clearing had twice
been passed; the gait was fEightful. but
tho hedge was before him; behind the
hedge-be OWNED it without seeing it
the precipice, with its jagged. rocky sidesl
Then he felt himself 81 the end of his
bre4rh-the air he swallowed came from
his painting lungs in shriu whistHngs!
II the twinkling of al eye he had
vision, dim realization Of that which
was to be his DEATH fall into space,
complete failure Of respiration, crushing
blow upon the head!
The idea Of stopping his mare crossed
his mind He bore the reins-too latel
Already he was upon the edce he closed
his eyes; he abandoned himself. but in
stinctively lOoselinG the reins and lock
ing his legs according to his habit when
leaping obstacles,
lie had half consciousness Of the mo-
mont when niche arose in the air he
experienced q sense of relief; it was fin
isaed.
lie forced himself neither to hear. to
see nor 70 breathe. bat he bent his spine
a One who awaits a voIlcy of blows from
6 cGd-el 10 fell he bounded, lie rouedl
How long il vas. that bounding and roll
ing; and then-thac dull noise of shock
upon hard ground that he heard
Il an swoooirG, he tno1gnt. lam
4 cruel pain IL ms head recalled him He
had broken il. Fad he But innedi-
G-eiy there was second shock that shook
him from head TO foot-a sensation Of
rendilg and tearing throughout his body
lie reneu bered that ne nsd fallen upon
the T2iiroad-un1oubt edIy a train had
passed. train that had cut him IL two.
Al his ideas were clouded-a mist be
fore his eyes-but he was peaceful and
comfortable, very ooufortsble-he wished
to remain thus aIways-Glways-he knew
no uorel
Meanwhile he had cone TO himself again
About him was : whispering OF voices. as
about : coffin
1t IS the jnternent-I an dead-nowi~
he thought. and the conclusion gave him
. pleasure
suddenly he felt himself Hfted-a
frl-llfu pulling rent his vitaIs-etro-
c.ous agories harassed him. tore and
raced him
lie str9ve TO cry out-.'My -" the
words stralglod il his threat!
For the secold time he knew 10 more
ne was dead-Fro1a the French
The Nan Of Real Force.
Contrary 10 general belief. then. the
man of reGl force is never bully. is