Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-10-30
CHAPTER XII.

tive; but, like many undisciplined char
acters, she was better than her impulses
Scarcely had she reached the cottage in
which she and her father had sought tenn
porary shelter, than the fun horror OF the
deed TO which she had been party rushed
upon her. She did not know that Roland
intended to inform Sir Philip Darrell Of
the fate Of his betrothed, I'm order TO in
volve him in the same destruction; but,
what wrong had lima done her, Zeph was
now compelled to ask herself, that she
should be the girls murderessy What
wrong had Sir Philip done that, In order
TO remove some one she hated, she should
rob him of the woman he loved! Heston's
daughter had not actually blamed lima be-
cause Roland Sabine loved her; but she
had hated her with the unreasoning vim
dictiveness of a half-sayage nature because
lima was All obstacle, as the poor creature
imagined, to her own possible happiness.
Remorse, when it came, was bitter and
overwhelming.
Perhaps too, though this came later, there
was another feeling in Zeph's heart--a
vague feeling that Roland might have in
tended 10 play her false, and spare lima
If she would consent TO marry him. Zeph
did not believe that lima would consent
TO this alternative; but it lent zest TO the
determination which took possession Of the
girl TO 60 To Sir Philip Darrell and tell
him of llma's danger. He might yet be in
time 10 save her; and for herself, Zeph
cared little. Nor would she now shrink
from sacrificing Roland-for the idea,
having once entered her miad, gained
strength with every passing moment-if
he intended TO break his word 10 her.
Even her fathers part in the deed did not
deter the girl now; nor did she seem TO
remember at that moment that the hope OF
saving lima must needs be frustrated II
the curse was to be fulfilled.
Standing at the door of the cottage, she
saw her father ut the lock-bridge. Not
second was to be lost. The girl FASTENED
out Of the house and up the slope, and was
running swiftly towards the open country
by the time job Heston had crossed the
threshold OF his relatives dwelling and
roughly demanded where Zeph was.
Zeph knew every rood OF ground within
ten miles; and, dark though it now was
for the moon had not yet appeared-she
made her way unerringly towards the
Court. The girl had not yet run mile,
and was on piece OF open moorland, when
suddenly the moon broke through the
clouds, and by its light she saw horseman
coming straight towards her at u swift
galop. She recognized Sir Philip and his
horse Hassan, and, pausing, pulled the red
kerchief from her head and waved it Wild
". The signal had the desired effect
Darrell refined up within yard OF the
girl and descended from his horse
"Zeph Heston, what do you want of
me?" lie spoke sternly; he must have
read the evil tidings in her face.
"Kill me il you like"--and the girl
H. al NJ I'm no in
tense eagerness-"but believe every word
say. Look here, Sir Philip; i came after
you, and you can hang me for this nights
work.
"Go on" he said almost fiercely, with
horrible fear in his hearts" "and If you
lie, woman though you are, you shall SUI
fer"
al speak the truth, so help me HeayeDw
went on Zeph rapidly. ''rhe Squire came
TO father and me this afternoon, and said
we were 70 get Miss lima into the Mill
The Squire said he'd put her there, and
she should be drowned tonight, for the
Mill would be washed away; and ran up
to the Grange garden and told Miss lima
that the Squire was drowned; and she ran
down to the river, and father seized her
and took her to the Mill. But, OH" cried
the wretched girl, covering down, "Pd
give everything TO save Miss lima now -
That's why 1 came after YOU"
Not n word did Philip Darrell speak
With liyid brow and bloodless lips, lie
sprang upon his horse and was out OF sight
oil Zeph ia few seconds; aud, rs lie flew
onwards, there burst upon his ears the
awful sound OF rushing waters-not OF the
weir, but q the flood.
Life FOE liro for traitors deed;
When the hoods are out, take heedi"
No heed took he-no thought had he but
for the one dear life. He was riding mad
race with Death. If too late TO save his
love, he might yet be In time is die with
her.
In another moment the river was in full
view in the moonlight. The lock WAS gone,
and far ovev the opposite bank spread the
lake formed by the torrent.
0On, Haesan--on p said Darrell, his lips
deathly white, aud his eyes fixed upon the
one building standing amid the flood
"Haw
The flying steed had dashed int tho
midst Of a crowd Of villagers Darrell
drew bride now, and, absolutely heed.
less Of the confusion around him fixed his
piercing eyes upon the Mill scanning ev-
cry aperture. Suddenly the blood rushed
10 MS lace, anu HasH VI uOpt-sihoos Va
rapture-sprang into bis eyes.
"'Tis shcl lima, my own, I will save
thee, or die with theew
asir Philip" shouted an old farmer, lay
ing no weak hand on Hassan's bride, "you
shall not attempt to cross 1t is madness
certain deathV
"wbo will stop mey" said Darrell, set
ting his teeth and snatching a pistol from
his breast. "Hands OF, man, or say your
last prayerr' q
The old man fell back; and Sir Philip
dashed of along the bank, the water,
which was above the horses fetlocks, 1y-
ing in showers of spray from the brave
steed's feet.
"The curse, the cursew rose from the
terror-stricken crowd. "He Is rushing
upon his death; it has come-'lifc for
lfev
"The slope OF the ground on this side Of
the river had rendered the overflow CON-
paratiyely slight, the flood spending itself
over the fiat meadows on the opposite
bank. Sir Philip DarrelPs object was to