Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-01-24

i,ow set and white it showed under tho
stars On--on-on, at times sho fo,s.ot
s mnere she was, but the horse. never
WIN MS face set toward the river Iva
ran as Ii he had understood his moster,s
words, and knew his errand. Jtw,s HE
own brave heart that seemed to ,rna
nun. Never for moment did bo
slacken or stumble. When the wretcha7
girl he bore heard once again that nnr.
SUNG football, she still sat silent, know
ing that her only helper was doing all
that could be done. The great cotton
WOOD trees flew by them-Don's breath
grew labored. Never once had he fall
tered, and though growing sick in the
saddle, Bind dared not detain him.
FROM behind she heard a measnrod
lope. AS it drew nearer, it came close
TO cutting her off from every happiness
in life.
go on, dear Don," she murmured,
save your master and me-"
The pace of the noble horse was al
ways steady, or she would have fallen
from the saddle, so i'll and weak was
she. The footballs beyond were swift
and hurried. Plainly could she per-
celve that they We're getting nearer.
Tier dark eyes We're full of horror as
she listened. Her low means served
her better than any whip. 1t was not
her fancy that Don heard and under
stood it all. If it had not been for the
darkness, she would have seen
how watchful and bright his great eyes
We're growing.
They Numbered over the bridge. Ii
was but moment before the horse in
the rear struck the bridge also. Look
ing back, Bird could see her pursuer.
She knew then what was almost in
evitable. Gordon Churchill was
mounted on q white horse which was
the pride of his stables. His pace and
endurance We're indeed wonderful.
God help mel" said Bird in despair.
At the sound of her voice, Don
broke his pace and turned. To her
horror, he rushed straight toward her
foe. He rushed straight toward him.
He raised himself, and lowered above
the great, cleaning, white horse, who
threw himself upon his hauches. Don
seized the rider. He grasped him by
the shoulder, tore him from the saddle,
and throwing himself back, literally
shook the life ont of him. The man
dropped to the ground, senseless for
ever.
And Bird looked down at the black
heap in the road, knowing that the man
was dead. He was her half brother.
As child he had struck her bare
shoulders with his riding whip. He
had knocked her down. And yet, as
her guardian, he would have forced hel
to marry him. She loathed the very
air he breathed, so she looked down al
him and said, from her heart, Il am
glad you arc dead!"
On then, two miles more. She
never knew what the road was. Don
went as he -snatching mouth
full Of water at the river, as he turned
along it's banks, and carried his rider
under the bows of trees, through thick.
cts Of purple fragrance, which she
knew by its scent, up to the door of a
low, log house. A light instantly ap-
peared, and old Jim Allen came to her
horses head.
rs it you, honey, all alone?" he
said.
Its Miss Donaldson. Mr.. CHILDBIRTH
is hurt and is lying in the woods on the
turnpike. You must go to him in
stantly."
Old Jim peered up at the face whose
owner told such news in such calm
voice. He put up his arms to her. She
dropped into them in a swoon.
In the gray light of the morning she
raised her head from the bed Of hunters
blankets, where she lay, and saw from
the window, old Allen leading two
horses up to the door. One of them
was Churchill's white horse, and he
helped bear the litter on which Chill
dreth lay all but dead. They brought
him in, CHASTITY and senseless.
"Shake up good bed, wife, whis-
pered the old man to his crone of a
wife. He'll lie by for weeks.
Bird heard. She stood silent, look
ing down on the unconscious, death-like
face.
"Who is going for a doctor?' she
asked.
Il am" said Allen.
"When?'
Gas soon as can put good horse
over five miles Of billy road"
Bring also clergyman"
"Good gracious, child! what for?'
"To marry us.
"The young lady is crazy" exclaimed
Mother Allen. why, yer foolish