Wichita eagle., 1888-09-21

hOofS clat6ered along the bridges; tnen they
left it and safety and plunged upon narrow
thread Of beaten earth, with fire swiftly
rushing toward it from either side.
The horse, brave and blooded as he was,
hesitated, as well he might; but the hand Of
the rider was firm and the whip mercilesS A
brief hour had transformed the gentle girl
into a woman maddened by love and superior
to danger The one idea that had taken pos
session Of brain and pulsing heart remained
permanent. John King was in danger of be-
ing consumed. She must save him Or
And very soon the horse became mad as
well With long and seemingly tireless
strides he stretched himself. His black skin
was fecked with foam, his sides were heav-
ing as a bellows, like escaping steam his
breath was blown, his eyes were red with ex-
ertion and his frame trembled with excite
ment
On, on they pressed ,on thus far in little
danger, for the fire was yet at distance
But with every moment it became nearer,
nearer, closed upon them and blazing sparks
fell thickly as rain.
On, on, and the flames leaped upward and
at times closed over their heads; they were
rushing as through tunnel of Kissing, roar
ing fire; it was crowding in upon them, was
beneath their feet, was playing in fantastic
shapes around and above.
Mad as the girl was with desire to reach
her lover the horrors OF the situation were
forced upon her brain. She bowed her head
to the fiery storm, shielded her face, ana
often extinguished her blazing dress; spoke
encouragingly to the horse, patted his q',iver-
ing neck, used the deep cutting lash, cutting
a hundred times more cruelty, for his sides
were cracking with the heat, and blood was
oozing from the blistered wounds.
On, still on, but more slowly at every
stride, with steps less firm and secure, breath
more scant, courage less high and pace less
swift. Never yet steed that could bear such
a fearful strain; never flesh that could resist
a prairie fire with hundreds of acres of dry.
tall grass and reeds for fuel and famed by a
gale.
Onl The girl shielded her eyes with her
trembling hands, and above the smoke saw
the waving of trees. As yet the furious fire
had not reached, at least not penetrated,
them. There was life, safety, and more than
all love. Could she reach them. A scanty
half mile had yet to be Travelled. Instinct,
often as clear to discover as mind told the
horse of the situation as clearly as her eyes
She called upon him, and he answered: she
bowed to the saddle, she shut her eyes, and
then!
The flames swirled around they were
wrapped as in a winding sheet of them. the
red, forked tongues touched them with blist-
ering kisses, the wind roared through the
gigantic furnace, the earth was hot beneath,
the air burning above; deer, wolf, every
creeping thing were uatfooted in the race,
were beaten down by a swift death, and how
could they possibly escape!
On! Between them and the sheltering
trees but a few rods remained; but few
feet Could they be overcome? Voice and
lash urged the noble horse OH. He struggled
to obey, but his best efforts were becoming
feebler, his heart was beating slow, the iron
muscled limbs were fast becoming useless. A
single burst of speed as at the beginning,
would have been enough-the racing of few
seconds all that was required
Frantically the girl shouted, in despair she
dashed the reeking sides. The horse gathered
for supreme effort, reeled, staggered, fell
even as the wind roared and the fire Kissed
more savagely.
But the impulse had been sufficient to carry
him beyond the blazing death and the bushes
closed behind and the trees rose above and
''Ctod be thanked" exclaimed the suffering
girl as she knelt beside the gallant horse.
God be thanked" and she flung her arms
around his neck and shed bitter tears as she
saw how scared and burned he was, regard
less of her own sutferings.
With difficulty she urged him to his feet
and led him forward. But he knew as well
as she of their safety, of the necessity of
moving, and lamb like followed deep into the
wood where the cabin stood
John, dear john" rang out the voice of
the girl
Nellie! Great God, is that your was an
swered and questioned, and a moment later
she was locked within his protecting arms.
In a few words she told all, and begged
him to do all possible for the horse.
"Now and ever" he answered. Zone mo-
ment" He climbed to the top of a tall tree,
looked around, descended and said cheerfully:
1.-THE wind has changed; the fire is rushing
away from the timber; we are safe here.
But why in the name of heaven did you
attempt such a dangerous chance, Nellie."
Because, dear, loved you So" and she
dropped fainting upon his an1iously throb-
bling breast - Mnemosyne in New York
Mercury.