Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1888-10-17
IL.
NELL.


The dusk drew on. She came out to the
door and listened. There came no sound
of horses feet. She went in, laid the cloth
and set the table for tea. The clock moved
on to s. She grew anxious. She listened
at the window, at the door, opt
in the road. She went in again.
No sign or sound Of Prent. She
sat at the window and watched. I
need not tell you how she fretted and
feared. The hands Of the clock moved
slowly round. 1t struck 0 at last. Still
no sign or sound. She got up, took the
spoons and forks, unlocked the iron safe
and put them in. (The safe was Uncle
Clitton's when he had the old store at
Lindesley). She meant to start south II
Prent did not come before long. She saw
that the doors were fast, shut the blinds,
Strengthened things up n little, put on her
shawl and went out. She leaned over the
gate and listened.
She had stood there n long time. She
turned to lock the front door; she could
not wait longer. But she stopped. What
was that! It's gone now. No-there it
is again. 1t dies away; then bursts out
again with O clearer clamor. Trample,
trample, trample, trample. Louder and
nearer every moment-the regular patter-
ing, %scurrying tramp of q horse at a wild,
free run. 4 quick pain shot through
Nell's heart. She knew that was not the
tramp of a horse under guidance of man.
She knew that he carried m empty saddle
as certainly rs if she had heard the flying
stirrups rattle and clank. She ran along
to the barnyard gate, threw it wide open,
caught up O long pole, and stood across
the road.
The flying horse came on, trample,
trample, trample. Round the bend now,
along the orchard fence, past the house,
and close upon her, head down, n
running wild. She shouted, fourished
her pole, struck at the horses head. 1t
swerved and leaped through the gate.
She knew it was not Driver. She shut
the gate. The horse ran round the yard,
then slower, then trotted, head up, snort
ing and stepping high. Then she stopped
at the barn and looked around. Nell
went up. The mare drew off at first, but
Nell coaxed her, and got her hand on the
bride after q minute or two. She patted
the mares smooth neck and head, talked
to her: $500, Nancy"
Nell led her up to the house, where the
light shone out from the window. She
knew the mare-Brame's roam, Skylark.
The squire had driven her over only last
week. Saddle and bride she knew, too;
knew them and trcmbled with a horrible
fear. They were Prent's? There was the
rent in the skirt that she darned two days
ago. There was the new stirrup strap on
the near side and the new ring bit in the
bride.
She hitchcd the mare to the gate, went
in, put out the light and locked the dosr.
She opened the gate, flung over the OIL
stirrup, stepped up on the gate, n
leaped on.
Past the house and the garden. Under
the shadow Of the orchard trees, trottlng
faster and faster. She has the mare we'll
in hand. There is only one thought in
her mind-to get to Brame's. She calls
to the mare, and breaks her into a run.
From that it is one long hurting flight all
the nine gathering miles. Along tho
clear high road, by fields and orchards,
level and slope. Down through Treacle
Hollow, mile long tunnel of gloom,
through over arching trees. Up again.
out through the hills-out with a rush,
and away. Hill and level, dip and rise,
straight stretch and winding curve, no
break or halt, horse and rider rs one, fly
Ing, flying, flying. The painting mare
stopped at the tavern door.
"Halloa!" she called. "Quick, there
halloa!" .
The squire came out with n frightened
face. He knew the voice. He saw his
mare, Six, lark. He looked in Nell's face.
He knew what it was.
"Ain't You seen him, NellF"
She shook her head. She stepped upon
the piazza. "What shall l do?"
He slipped his hand under the saddle.
He came close to her and whispered:
s"The moneys hereunder the saddle.
They can't nave hurt him. He wouldn't
fight when he knew the bonds were safe.
Don't fear. girl"