The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-04-13

more would see the end of his gallop. But 81
this moment we had won to the top OF stiR
ascent; and now, looking down at our feet, !
had the jeyfulest surprise
Twas the moor of Temple spread below
like q map, the low sun striking on the ruin
ed huts to the left Of Us. on tbs roof Of Jcans
cottage, on the scar of The high road, and the
sides of the tall tor above it.
''In ten minutes, +" said |, I'VE may be safe"
So down into the plain we hurried; and I
thought for the first time OF the loyal girl
waiting in the cottage yoade-; OF my former
ride into Temple; and twith angry shame) Of
the light heart with which left it To what
had the summoning drums and trunpetS led
mel Where was the new life, then so care
lessly preventeds But two days had gone,
and here was l running 70 Jean for help, as
child to ais mother
Past the peat ricks we struggled, the sheep
cotes, the struggling fences-aI so familiar
crossed the stream and rode into the yard
Jump down, l whispered; I'VE have time,
and no more" CHANGING back, saw cou-
pie of dragons already coming over the
heights. They mad spied Us
Dismounting, | ran 10 the cottage door
and flung it open. A stream of light, flung
back against the sun, blazed into my eyes.
rubbed them and halted for moment
stock still.
For Joan stood in front of me, dressed in
the very clothes l had worn on the day we
first met-buff coat, breeches, heavy boots,
and all Her back was towards me, and at
the shoulder, where the coat had been cut
away from my wound, l saw the rents all
darned and patched with pack thread. In
her hand was the mirror l had given her.
At the sound of my step Oh the threshold
she turned with a short cry--a cry the like Of
which l have never heard, so full was it of
choking JOY. The glass dropped to the floor
and was shattered In a second her arms
were about me, and 50 she hung on my neck,
sobbing and laughing together.
4" Twas true-twas true! Dear, dear Jack
dear Jack, 10 come TO me; hold me tighter,
tighter-for my very heart is burstingl"
And behind me a shadow fell on the door
way; and there stood Della regarding US.
Good lad-all yesterday l swore to be
strong and wait-for years, if need be. Fie
or womankind to be SO weak All day I sat
an sat, an did never mite O. work-uever
set hand to q tool; ln' by sunset gave in an
went cursing myself, over the moor to War
leggan, to Aisle Pascoe, the wise woman
an she taught me q CHAIRMAN bless her,
bless her. Jack, for t hath brought theer'
Joan" said l, hot with shame, taking her
arms gently from my neck; listen: l come
because am chased. Once more the dra-
gooners are after me-not five minutes away.
You must lend me horse, and at once"
May" said a voice in the doorway, ''the
horse, if lent, IS for me!'
Joan turned, and the two women stood
looking at each other-the one with dark
wonder, the other with cold disdainfulness-
and between them scarce lifting my eyes.
Each was beautiful after her kind, as day
and night; and though their LOCKS crossed
for a full minute like drawn blades, neither
had the mastery. Joan was the frss TO speak.
Jack, is tiny mare in the yard!"
l nodded.
Give me thy pistols and thy cloak" She
stepped to the window hole at the end of ths
kitchen and looked out. PLENTY o. time"
she said, and pointed to the ladder leading tc
the loft above-"Climb up there, the both,
and pull the ladder after Is't thou they
want--or she?' pointing to Della.
"Me chiefly they would catch, no doubt
being a man" I answered.
"Ay-bein' a man; the worlds full O. folly.
Then, Jack, do thou look after her, an I'll
look after thee If the rebels leave thee in
peace, make for the Jews Kitchen and there
abide me-"
She flung my cloak about her, took my
pistols and went out at the door. As she did
so the sun sank and dull shadow swept over
the moor. ''Joanr 1 cried, for now guessed
her purpose and was following 70 hinder her;
but she had caught MOlly's bride and was
already astride of her. Get back" she
called, softly, and then, Il make better lad
than vench, Jack" leaped the mare through
a gap in the wall and in a moment was breast
ing the hill and galIoping for the high road.
In less than minute, as it seemed, | heard
a pounding Of hoofs. and had barely time to
follow Della up the ladder and pull 1t after
me. when two of the dragons rode skurrying
by the house and passed on yelling. Their
cries were hardly faint in the distance before
there came another three.
GAS lost man, now, for sure said one;
''be DANCED If as not took the road back TO
Lan'sonI'
How bout the gal!7 asked another voice.
''Heres her horse i the yard"
''Drat the gal! Sam, go thou an tackle
her; reckon thourt warriors euow for one
'oOman."
ne Two hdlsSsutS4 tl4 tAi4tA ~ '-AALAJ L
the one they called Sam dismounting in the
yard. Now, there was window hole in the
loft facing, not on the yard, but towards the
country behind; and running % it, saw
that no more were followiDg-the other three
having, Is [ suppose, early given up the
chase. Softly pulling out loose stone or
two. widened this hole till l could thrust
the ladder out of it. To my JOY 1t Just reached
Ia
through and climb down.
But before she was half way down l heard
a wild screen in the kitchen below and the
voice Of sam snrieEing
'.Help-help, Lord ha mercy pom me
It's a black cat--cis a witch. The gals no
gal, but a witcn'
Laughing softly. was descending the lad
der when the fellow came round the corner
screaniug-vith Jan TerEaEle clawing al has
back and splitting muTdeTously. De1a had
Just time 70 slip aside. before be ran into tie
ladder and brought me flying CD top q him
And there he lay and beloved I'll tied aim,
and gagged his noise with a biz stone IN his
mouth and his own scarf tied around II
Come / WHISPERED; fo- Joan and her
pursuers were cut Of sight Catching up her
long skirt Deiis followed NE. and up the tor
We painted together. nor rested til We were
safe in the Jews Kitchen.
What do YOU think q this fer hiding
placer asked 7, with d laugh.
But Della did 4. laugh Instead she faced
me with blazing eye. checked herself, and
answered, cod rs roe;
"SiT, you have done me many favors
How have trusted you in resuru i we-s best
for you to remember. and for RE % forget.
The DARK drew or, but us J tank, about 20
O'Clock heard steps coming over tee turf
ran out Twas joan hsrzelf and lsadZng
Molly By ire bride. She walked A. 4 tired
and. leaving TIE ulars a. tas eusTs5oe. fol-