Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-11-07

rang in his ears in friendly greeting.
"Your thoughts must be very pleas
ant. John, when they engross your at
tention SO closely"
John started suddenly to his feet and
fastened to the side of his betrothed.
Indeed they we're, love; | was think
ing of you; nothing else can engage
my thoughts SO fully and make them Sc
sweet and pure" and he drew her head
down to his and their lips met in an
affectionate kiss
Il was late, my love-" she said. u
thought / could never slip away unseen
from that cousin OF mine. l believe
he suspects that we meet secretly"
"Then there is the more reason for
our speedy departure. Ii pursuit is
made, as it no doubt it will he, as soon
as our flight is discovered we need all
the start We can get to outride them"
replied John.
I'VE shall, indeed and I fear much
for the result should they overtake us.
We must ride fast and far tonight"
1--WE shall, my love-" rejoined John,
as ne swung himself into the saddle;
to-morIow will 1ind us in another
SInte.
"Will it?' broke in Il harsh, mascu
line voice. "Thank goodness, 1 am
just il time to block your little game.
Mabel uttered q scream of terror as
she looked up and beheld her cousin
Tom, seated on horse some few yards
away. angrilv eying them.
~ hardly think you will interfere
with us in any manner" retorted John;
"at least I'd advise you not to-
Nevertheless, certainly shall. Ma
bel, come with me. Are you not
ashamed to disgrace your family by
being seen in the company of a low-bred
Hanley, let alone accepting him as a
lover? For shame, Mabel"
You have no authority to command
me. Tom, and l shall pay no attention
to your orders. Az for what You have
said in regard to my bctrothed husband,
it il false-utterly false"
Yes, and were surrounded by any
other circumstances than / now am, he
should answer for hi, words. Come
Mabel, it is foolish for us to be quarrel
ing here with him when our time is so
precious" and John started his horse
forward
Tom Rogers struck his horse sharply
with his whip, and with q bound it
placed him alongside of the one which
Mabel rode. With his free hand he
rudely grasped her bride rein, and ex-
claimed:
Mot so fast. my young lady. Isaid
you should not go, and you shall not.
l have not so soon forgotten the many
of my uncle as to permit
his daughter to disgrace herself in
this fashion"
Release her! Quick!" commanded
John. "else 1 will not be responsible
for the result"
Never! She shall not go while 1
have the strength to prevent it. I"
take that, then, and learn your
place!" cried John holly, as he brought
his riding-whip heavily down over the
face of Tom Hanley.
Tom uttered an exclamation Of pain
and rage as the blow fell. A great red
welt raised up on his cheek to mark the
spot. He released his hold on Mabers
bride and exclaimed angrily.
"You have struck me! My cause is
doubly just! Defend yourself the best
You cen, for shall shoot you like the
dog that you are!"
:" shall defend myself. But first let
us ride out of the presence of this lady,
and will then accord you any satisfac-
tioti you may demand" replied John.
mo! In her presence was the insult
given and there must it be
wiped out. Draw! Draw and
defend yourself! 1 shall wait no
longer" and the rash youth whipped
pistol from out pocket of his riding
coat.
You must not. shall not do this mad
thing!" cried Mabel in terrified accents
as she endeavored to force her horse
between them.
Back. Mabel!" commanded John.
sternly. He would have my life;
there is naught left to me but to defend
it."
At that instant Tom fired. Mabel saw
the red blood leap out from Johns
breast. She uttered shrek of horror
and fell fainting from her horse. As
she fell she was dimly conscious of
another explosion ringing in her ears,
then all was blackness.
Ten minutes later consciousness came
slowly back to her. At first she could
not remember where she was or what
had happened, but suddenly il flashed
into her mind with all its horrors, and
she sat up and stared wildly about her.
A short distance away she saw three
riderless horses quietly feeding, and
near her lay two human forms-oh, so
still!
Terror gave her strength, and,
springing up she fastened to her lovers
side and dropped on her knees beside
him. He was still alive. Tearing
strips out of her dress, she bound up his
wound as we'll as she could. Taking his
hat, she fastened to little brook near
by and, getting it full of water, brought
it and bathed his temples and tace.
She left John for moment. and wen.
over to her cousin. A moments exami-
nation satisfied her that he was beyond
the need Of earthly aid and she returned
to her lover.
A lite while longer and John opened
his eyes and looked up at her in blank
wonder.
"You must not speak," she COM
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