The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-30

distant hamlet, and then, returning, braved
the black storm OF rage that swept over
him. All believed this step to be one OF
most lawless abduction upon the mans
part and he only thinking for his wife and
her reputation was content that in such a
belief Joksdal should remain. Eric Skien,
however, was wiser. He had long noted
the change in his sweetheart, and the blow
did not fall so heavily upon him, there
fore, as his friends supposed. He was
good-hearted, easy-going, loutish fellow,
not over quick OF comprehension, but a
popular man among his comrades, and
one with kind soul in him. That
he would nurse his revenge until it
grew into something strong and terri
BILE, and could walk alone, was
the general opinion in Joksdal. But
Skien breathed no word OF his future
intentions TO anybody, and went on living
and working tamely enough, though with
most of the laughter and rough frolic blot
ted out of his life. 1t is improbable that
he would ever have seriously set about re-
taliation or gone far out of his way TO get
it. Dwellers in northern lands, all things
being equals are not SO fruitful of violence
and the knife, MS hot-bloodcd men OF the
south. Nor have they quite such keen
ness and capability for either suffering or
ioy. Their sensiblites are somewhat
more blunt and there is more prose and
less poetry in their lives, less sunshine
and more hard work. | speak, Of course,
of the lowest social classes; Skien was
shepherd Svantscn, the keeper OF small
inn.
And nova wear after the catastrophe
10, ha uttahAI and hot and
nearly spent with his hard running, the
other cool and white, and with all his wits
about him. Skien, thinking TO see a
friend, looks up at the man in the sledgc.
As he does so, anxiety changes to incredu-
lous and savage joy; the how OF wolves
falls unheeded upon his ear; he clutches
hard at something hidden in his belt and
shows his teeth. The other, with an iron
hand upon the rcins, checks for an instant
his flying sledge and keeps pace with his
old enemy. One of the struggling horses,
arrested in his flight for life, neighs and
plunges 20 be free. The bells clash and
angle; for moment the hungry threats
behind are silent; over all the moon shines
bright and cold, bringing out every detail
of the scene as clearly as daylight could.
Rollo Svantsen speaks first.
"Ah, friend Skicn, thou wilt have 10 60
at greater pace than thy present jog il
Joksdal is TO see thee again. Graabecn'
travels world faster, aud is now nearer
TO thee than thou art TO home. Wilt deign
10 accept a seat2 II so, it is at thy SER
vice"
AT last we meet, then" gnsped the
other. 81 had rather seen thee than the
truest friend and strongest horse in Nor
way. At last thou ant in my hand, Role
Svantsen. Nay, stay thine horses, or
will do II for thee"
'Fooll Thou do II? Couldst thou stoI
me year ago? Then think not TO hold
back these mad brutcs here by any act o.
| thine"
For answer Skien levellcd a pistol n
the head OF the horse nearest him. Tn,
barrel flashed in the moonlight like 1
knife, and Svnntsen, choking in his throat
the cry OF horror that rose in it, pulled a
the reins and nearly overturned the yehi
Gle he drove.
"This is no time for testing, man" h,
cried. leap by me, aud do it quickly
or We shall both be lost"
"And why not? Thou has left me moth
ing TO live for. Everything that was goo,
10 me in the world has been taken b,
thee; now 1t is my turn. and could sla!
thee, but that | had rather leave II 4
those behind"
While the horses were nearly disloca
ing his shoulder-joints, Syantsen mad
answer:
"Thnk not that fear death any NOR
than thee. III thou widest that but one q
us shall reach his home | care not.
plead not for my safety, least Of all at III
hands, but others plead for me. The pa,
is past, the wrongs have done TO thee M
past. and past atoning. Stay me II tho
wilt, II is but justice, but be generous !
thine hour OF triumph. Save thyscl
Skien, implore Il, and see that what
now in the sledge be given 10 those ] lcay
behind. Declare. when questioned, that
fell FROM my place, aud thou couldst no
STAY the horses 20 save me-
so he spoke, and great wave OF ieelin
passed through the others mind. Move
had his heavy brains been 30 stirred, neyc
before had the possibility Of noble aud h'
roic actions entered them. Like drcat
picturc, a. his enemy's words fell upo
his car. he saw the girl at home nursin
, her baby, saw the slcdgc dash through Oh
, village street, saw the husband reel int
the strong, outstretched arrus Of his friend
and heard the wife's cry OF thankfulncss
God. That wis all; no vision Of his ow
figure In the story obtrudcd itself. A iias
. OF lightning could not be quicker than III
, thought, as Il filled his brain, and tran
formed every ambition. passion, desire.
! True" he said, II have no quarr
1 | with those In thine home. Thou art
, husband, iather-l had forgotten. q
A YOU gone, Syantscn; my eyes are opcn'
q now aud | see far ahead. Fly, ma
while there IL yet time; take these pistc
/. with thee, too, and remember In the da
n 10 come there was no evil between rs
4 the end. Go, say, the horses are KILL
!. themselves"
= lie held up the weapons, and hndil
/. that the driver was too occupied 10 IN
" them from him, placed both pistols NJ J
), feet In the sledgc ~ syantson answered;
n ''Say,st thou this7" he cried. ~
Ic heaven Skicn, such an enemy ~ tn
~ makcst il worth thousand friends lea
he thee, maui Never Mount. ! comma
2. il; else | will shoot these frantic beasts n
,e self God willing, We shall yet sleep
our houses tonight II not, then togcl
Of here" Eric hesitaicd for a brici mome
ly The thought oi great sacrifice was siro
re- within him, but his old enemy would
Ic be denied. His will was ~ powcrlcss
M the others, aud most azsurcdly both m
IA must have persisted had not Skien
4, Tented. AZ last, therefore, yielding
IA Syan'sen's entrcaty, he cruwlcd,
h. hauated, upon the hinder scat OF
slcdgc and, not q moment too soon,
n. men were whrled away together.
nd (Road without haste. the above dl
me- logue. n timed, would be found 10 u
a. two and half minutes. In fact, howc'