The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-06-08

whose villainy had told her much the night
before. And glad was Of her choice, as
saw her standing on the entrance steps, fresh
as rose, and in fit habit once more; for
Lady Grace had lent not only her own bay
horse, but also riding dress and hat Of gray
velvet to equip her, and stood in the porch to
wish US god-speed, while Sir Bevill helped
Della to the saddle
So, with Billy tranping behind US, away
we rode up the combe, where Kilkhampton
tower stood against the sky; and turning to
wave hands at the top, found our host and
hostess still by the gate, watching US, with
hands raised to shield their eyes from the
sun.
AT Launceston, Billy Pottery took leave
of us; and now went due south, towards
Looe, with light purse and lighter heart,
undertaking that his ship should lie off Gleys,
with her crew ready for action, within eight
andforty hours Della and l rode faster
towards the southwest; and having by this
time recovered my temper. was recounting
my flight along this very road, when l heard
sound that brought my heart into my
mouth.
Twas the blast of bugle, and came from
behind the hill in front of u.s. And at the
George Chudleigh's cavalry returning, on
news of their comrades defeat, and we were
riding straight towards them as into a trap.
Now what could have made me forgetful
of this danger l cannot explain, unless it be
that our thorough victory over the rebels had
given me the notion that the country behind
us was clear of foes And Sir Bevill must
have had notion we were going straight to
Looe with Billy. At any rate there was no
time to be lost, for my presence wasa danger
to Della as well. l cast a glance about me.
There was no place to hide
"Quickn CRIED 'follow me and ride for
dear lifeI'
And, striking spur into Molly, turned
sharp off the road and galloped across the
moor to the left, with Della close after me-
Down the hollow we raced with three dra-
goons at our heels, the rest going round the
hill. But they did little good by so doing,
for after the hollow came broad, dismal
sheet of water (by name Dozmare pool, |
have since heard, about q mile round and
banked with black peat Galloping along
the left shore of this, we cut them off by
near half mile But the three behind fol-
/ lowed doggedly, though dropping back with
/ every stride.
| Beyond the pool came q green valley, and
a stream flowing down it, which we jumped
easily. CHANGING at Della as she landed on
the farther side, l noted that her cheeks were
glowing and her eyes brimful of mirth
Say, Jack" she cried, lis not this better
than love of women"
ain heavens NAME" | called out, take
carel"
But it was too late The green valley here
melted into treacherous bog, in the which
her bay was already plunging over his fet-
! locks and every moment sinking deeper
Throw me the reinl" Ishouted, and, catch.
ing the bride close by the bit, leaned over and
tried to drag the horse forward. By this
Molly also was over hoofs in liquid mud For
q minute and more we heaved and splashed
and all the while the dragons, seeing our fix
were shouting and drawing nearer anC
nearer. But just as a brace of bullets splashec
into the slough at our feet, we staggered tc
the harder slope, and were gaining on then
again. So for twenty minutes along the
spurs of the hills we held on, the enemy fall
ing back and hidden, every now and again
in the hollows-but always following; at the
end of which time, Della called from just be
hind me:
"Jack-here's TODD; the bay is going
lamel"..
There was no doubt of it. l suppose b,
must have wrung his off hind leg in fighting
through the quag. Anyway, ten minute
more would see the end of his gallop But a
this moment we had won to the top of stiff
ascent; and now, looking down ct our feet,
had the joyfulest surprise
Twas the moor of Temple spread below
ed huts to the left of us, on the roof of joan
cottage, on the scar of the high road, and tn,
sides of the tall tor above it.
SIN ten minutes" said l. 1--WE may be SAFE
So down into the plain we hurried; and
thought for the first time of the loyal cir
waiting in the cottage yonder; of my forme
ride into Temple; and with angry shame) O
the light heart with which left it. 10 wha
had the summoning drums and trumpets lec
me? Where was the new life, then so care
, lessly prevented But two days had gone
and here was running to Joan for help, a
| q child to his mother
Pest the peat ricks we struggled, the sheel
) cotes, the struggling fences-all so familiar
crossed the stream and rode into the yard.
Jump down, whispered; 1--WE have time
, and no more" CHANGING back, saw cou
pie of dragons already coming over th
t heights. They had spied US.
Dismounting, | ran to the cottage doc
and flung it open. A stream of light, fun
! back against the sun, blazed into my eyes.
3 rubbed them and halted for a mo1nen
I stock still.
I For Joan stood in front of me, dressed i
, the very clothes had worn on the day W
/ first met-buff coat, breeches, heavy boots
and all Her back was towards me, and d
\ the shoulder, where the coat had been Gu
Q away from my wound, 1 saw the rents a
;. darned and patched with pack thread l
= her hand was the mirror had given her.
: At the sound of my step on the threshol
r she turned with short cry-a cry the like
o which have never heard, SO full was it
i, choking joy. The glass dropped to the foe
Y and was shattered. In q second her arm
+ were about me, and so she hung on my necl
sobbing and laughing together.
;. " Twas true-'twas true Dear, dear JAG
dear Jack, to come to me; hold me tighte
): tighter-for my very heart is bursting"
;, And behind me n shadow fell on tho doc
2 way; and there stood Della regarding us.
IS Good lad-all yesterday l swore TO
! strong and wait-for years, il need be- T
o on wonlanl;ind to be SO weak Ali day l s.
an sat, an did never mite O. work-nev
/, set hand to a tool; an by sunset gave in a
went cursing myself, over the moor to Wa
d leggan, to Aisle Pascoe the wise woman
1t an she taught me a CHAIRMAN bless he
II bless her, Jack, for It hath brought theer"
n Joan" said l. hot with shame, taking h
e arms gently from my neck; 'listen: l con
because am chased. Once more the DIR
|
You must lend me horse, and at once.'
l., ,-o{oo l., tbo J,o,,ro-