The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-03-30

| gIanclng into the field. Also, it grew evident
that Sir Deakin's late agility was but a short
| and sudden triumph OF will over BODY; for
his poor crooked legs began to trail ana lag
| sadly. So, turning sharp about, we struck
! for the hedges shadow, and there pulled him
| down in dry ditch and lay with a hand on
his mouth to stife his CALCULATIONS, while we
| ourselves held our breathing.
The runners came up the road. pausing for
q moment by the gate | heard it creak. and
saw two or three dark forms enter the field
the remainder tearing on up the road with a
great clatter of boots.
Alas, my poor jacques" moaned Sir
Deakin; "and 10 be butShered so. that never
In his days killed a man but as if he loved
HIM"
''Sir," whispered harshly, eff You keep
this noise must gag you" And with that
he was silent for a while
There was thick tangle of brambles in the
ditch where we lay; and to this we owe our
lives For ons of the men, coming our wav.
passed within two yards Of US, with the fat
OF his sword beating the growth over our
heads
'Reu-ben! Reuben Gedges.'' called a voice
by the gate.
ALC ACAAS" AuA t-CO eltltA. ltsfpillE bf-L EEteLi
the bramhle tvigs, saw the moonlight gilt
tering on his blade A narrow. light haired
man he was, with weak chin; and since then
have paid him out for the fright he gave Us.
whats the coil!' ne shouted back.
''The stable roofs abiaze-for the Lords
seke come and save the hoSSes.''
He strobe back, and in a minute the field
was clear Creeping out with caution grew
aware of two mournful facts: first. that the
stable was indeed afire, as I perceived by
standing on tlptoe and looking over the
hedge; and. second, that my knee was hurt
by Blacl, Dicks bullet. The muscles had
stiffened while We were crouching, and now
panied me badly. Yet kept it to myself as
we started off again to run.
But at the stiie that, at the top Of the field,
led into the woods pulled up.
Sorry / am TO say il, but you must go on
without me-"
'O-oh," cried the girl.
IT'S for your safety. See, leave trail
Of blood behind me, SO that when day rises
they will track US easily
And, sure enough, even BY the moon. twas
easy to trace the dark spots on the grass and
earth beside the stile. Ny left boot, too, was
full of blood.
She was silent for Il while. Down in the
valley We could hear the screams OF the poor
horses. The light OF the flames lit up the pine
trunks about Us 70 a bright scarlet.
'Sir, you hold our gratitude cheaply"
She unwound the l5erchief from her neck.
and, making me sit on the stiie, bound up my
knee skillfully, twisting short stick in the
handage to stop the bleeding.
| thanked her, and we hurried on into the
depths Of the wood, treading silently on the
deep carpet of pine needles. The ground rose
steeply all the way: and all the way, though
the light grew feebler, the roar and outcries
in the valley followed us.
Towards the hills summit the trees were
sparser. Looking upwards 1 saw that the
sky had grown thickly overcast We crossed
the ridge, and after a minute or so were in
thick cover again.
Twas here that Sir Deakin's strength gave
out Almost without warning, he sank down
between our hands, and in a second was
taken with that hateful cough, that once al 4
ready this night had frightened me for his
life
"Ah, abr he groaned, between the spasms,
I'm not fit-pm not fit for it!' and was
taken again, and rolled about barking, 50
that l feared tue sound would bring all Set
ties gang on our heels. I'm not fit for it.'
he repeated, as the cough left him, and he lay
back helpless among the pine needles.
Now, understood his words 70 bear on his
unfltneSs for death, and judged them very |
decent and properly spoken; and took occa-
sion to hint this III my attempts to console !
him.
why. bless the boy !" he cried, sitting up /
and staring, ''yor what I've think I'm I'M
5uitedT'
"Why, to die, sir-to be sure!'
Holy Mother" lie regarded me with sur
prise, contempt and pity, all together; was
ever such dunderhead. If eve: man were |
it to die, l am he-and that's Just my reason
able complaint Heart alivei it's unfit to live
am, tied TO this absurd body"
suppose my attitude expressed my lack of
for he lifted a finger and
went on:
md eTSjoy themF'
Why, yes
And fght-heyl ard kiss pretty girl,
md be glad you've done it'll Dear, dear, how
do hate fool and fools PITY Lift me
Up and carry me a step. This nights work
las killed me; feel it in my lungs It's
ivy w. AOL was JUST Dt 10 euJoS
t"
lifted him as l would a babe, and off we
ct again, my teeth shutting tight on the
ain of my hurt. And presently, coming 10
little dingle about half a mile down the
Hillside, well hid with dead bracken and
blackberry bushes, consulted with the girl.
he place was well sheltered from the wind
hat rocked the treetops. and feared TO 20
forr h. 60 =
ountry at any moment and 80 double our
eril. 1t seemed best, therefore, TO lay the
Id gentleman snugly in the bottom Of this
ingie and wait for day. And with my bun
cat, and heap Of dried leaves. | made him
alrly easy, reserving my cloak 20 wrap
bout Mistress DeIia's fair neck and shout
ers. But against this at first she protested
For how are you 70 manager she asked.
Il shall tramp up and down, and keep
ratch, y answered ], Strewing a couch for her
eside her father; and tbs but fair exchange
1r the kercEie3 you gave re from yogr own
lroat'
At last l persuaded her, and she crept close
. her father, and under the edge Of the bun
Oat for warmth. There was abundance Of
~ bracken IN the dingle. and with this and
,me handfuls Of pine needles / covered them
yer and left them 70 find what sleep they
light.
For two hours and more after this I hobbled
, and fro neaT them as wsA as nv wound
ouid allow, looking up at the SKY through
10 pine tops and listening % the sobbing OF
le wind. Now and then I would swing nv
rms FOR warmth. and breathe on nv fingers,
rat were sorsiy benunbei and al the while
ept M ears on toe alert, but heard nothing
Twas, as l said, something over two hoU-I
TER, that / felt Z soft, cold touch, and then
mother, ike kisses on my forehead. Put NJ
y hand and looked up again az The sky. A.
did 20 the girl gave long sigh and swoke