The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-05-14

whiting stick and musing over some
thing which evidently pleased him much
He, he! never helped take them out of
here. Can't prove it by me who's takin'
to stealin'; hain't been behind the hay
stack tryin' to hammer the bung in that
barrels An it wouldn't stay, but it made
an awful racket. There's one consolation:
if them there HOSES have to go fur, they've
been well fed an every shoe is as sound as
trigger-ha, har' And Ben Stone shut
up his knife and went in to inform his
master that as likely as not some one had
stolen something or other about the place,
butit couldn't be proved by him.
shut up and go to bed with you, and
don't answer questions until your asked"
was the curt reply, with this addition in
an undertone: IL wouldn't begrudge
the best span I've got to get even with old
Gringer once more"
Pattef, patter! click, click! neck to neck
and nostril to nostril, along ridge and
through wooded hollow skinned the two
fleet coursers like some well mated birds
of flight. But few words were exchanged,
but two pairs of human ears, at least,
strained, minute by minute, to catch the
first sound of expected pursuit.
Out Of another valley and up to the top
Of another ridge they go steadily, painting
and steaming. They pause second to
breathe, and look and listen
Away back on the las: ridge, q mile or
more away, the moonlight glistens on
something bright-a silver plated buckle
or saddle decoration-and then there comes
clear, ringing sound, as when steel strikes
flint.
Qf ,ryfn hr1rP Job 70
not reach Mr.. Stilwelrs in time; it's"-
''Three miles yet, and"-
"You know Fleetwood's gait; Mr.. Ma
son never had horse that could outrun
him. What shall we do? Oh, if only we
were"--
Married, and could call you my own;
then l would not need to run to step,
but could defend my right to you in the
eyes of the law. Listenl What's that
ahead?"
"The Corners are just down there, you
know, and some one may be coming on the
cross road"
IAN idea! That is the direction from
which the preacher comes. What if it
should be- But, no; he's going straight
ahead of us. Yes, there he turnsl Whip
up and let's overtake him, whoever the
rider be!'
And the two blown and jaded horses
were urged afresh.
A quarter of a mile; half mile; three
quarters. The sound of hoofs in both di-
rections are growing distinct. Oh, SO near
behind!
Call him, Richardl He may stop. Oh,
if it only is!'
"But your father will hear, too, and
hasten! Hello, there! Waltz
"Who is it?"
81 can't be mistaken in that voice, Dick.
He has stopped. Now
In moment the overtaken party was
seen, sure enough, to be the very preacher
they were riding hard and fast to find. But
while the situation was being explained
the footsteps of the pursuing horse were
heard close by, and in a minute another
"Hellow rang on their ears, hoarse and in
furiated: stop! stop, 1 command you!
Mamie, your father tells you to stopl
Young man, Pll horsewhip you on the spot
if you don't give me my daughterp'
The two looked at each other in despair.
There would scarcely be time to begin the
ceremony. Must they be torn asunder
when so near the goal? The thought made
the girl turn pale, and she almost sank
helpless in her lovers arms.
But the preacher, backwoodsman that he
was, was man of wit and resources, and
of heart as well. Keep on" said he
quietly, ''and ride as fast as you can. l will
follow. Join your hands and sit firm in
the saddle when tell you. l have it ell an
the tip of my tongue. The Lord please,
you'll be man and wife before that horse
brushes his nose against yours"
Chatter, clatter-clink, clink! rang the
sharp hoof beats! Nearer and nearer they
came together; but the words rolled off the
preachers lips, as he rose and sank in his
stirrups, faster than the speed of the racers.
1t was race of tongue against hoof!
The wild, mad pelting of the iron shod
feet were pitted against heart throbs and
brain pulses and trembling lips!
The strain upon J ohm Mason's horseflesh,
and its fleeter competitor, whose master
spared him neither pain nor life, was tell
ing; but the tension on two hearts that
were tortured by suspense was still more
terrific.
Nearer and nearer sped Fleetwood, until
his hoarse painting almost drowned the
preachers words! But few rods separated
themi
Join your right hands," came the sharp
command.
Halt, l command you, in the name
Off
Put spurs! Forasmuch as Richard w.
Anderson and Annie Gringer have con-
sented to''-
"Hold up there! I'm an officer of the
lawl" demanded another voice, drowning
the rest of the preachers "forasmuch."
But the wild wedding party dashed for
ward, now almost covered by the dust the
others raised, and the preachers lips
worked fast
"ln the name of the Father
Halt, or you'll suffer the penal'-
And of the SOM
''Give me my daughter, you villainp'
"And of the Holy Ghost, pronounce
that they are husband and wife. Amen"
And love had won the racel
There was halt then, and explanations
that disarmed the man OF the law and sent
old Joel Gringer back to his belated supper
with vain cursings of his luck.
The supper at Stilwell's was favored with
pleasanter reflections, and Ben Stone had
many an opportunity 10 wonder aloud, In
his sly way, How in tarnation them hogs
ever did get into old man Mason's corn
field jest when Dick Anderson wanted to
steal Joel Gringer's daughter. u. Z.
Cowan in Frank Leslie's Monthly.
True, As to Some.
The -Wretched machinei Do you
really imagine that you are the greatest OF
insnimate liars9
MI