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

| sibly be elected. 10 attempt 10 cross lm-
mediately below the weir would be simply
suicide.
The crowd followed breathlessly on the
| top Of the bank, watching the daring rider
/, below. Not one man or woman there had
the faintest hope that he would reach the
centre OF the river alive. True, the river
had spent its greatest fury now that 1t
was released from its narrow bounds; but
the current was still swift and strong, and
branches of trees and wreckage were be-
ing swept along. No man, the villagers
thought, unless aided by supernatural
power, could live in that stream.
Sir Philip had paused now. He bent
| over his horse and pattcd his neck, and
then lifted his right hand toward the
heavens. The next moment the noble steed
plunged into the river, and q great cry
went up from those who saw the gallant
deed and the women fell upon their knees
and prayed aloud for the doomed lord OF
Darrell.
1t did indeed seem as il Philip Darrell
had merely rushed upon death-tho strong
current swept horse and rider downwards
for some distance, and ii was only with
difficulty the noble animal could hold his
own.
"Bear up, my HassanW cried Darrell
encOuIaglDRll,
The Arab obeyed the guiding hand, and
turned athwart stream; they were half
way TO the center now, and Hassan was
painting, but struggling yaliantly. Darrell
called TO the noble horse to strive yet
little while. When they had reached mid
stream, Hassan's powers were failing, and
his breathing was labored and distressed.
"My brave steed my hope, my life, do
not fail me now ~ cried Darrell, in agony.
ga little longer, Hassan There-another
effort! We shall reach the bank-we shall
save her, my Hassan"
Clouds had yeiled the moon, and the
people on the Scarth Abbot shore could no
longer see the two battling with the wa
tiers. The dark eyes that saw them from
the Mill for moment after the first
plunge, lost sight of them when the tide
carried them down, and lima prayed fer
vently that her lover might be saved from
the terrors OF the Hood.
The moon came out again. Where were
they? The villagers asked themselves
Had horse and rider been engulfed in the
rushing river? Was the curse fulfilled
thus, and had the life of the last Darrell
paid the exacted tribute' No; they could
see that horse and rider had reached what
had been the bank that morning. The
was just over the saddle-girths. In another
moment the horse stopped with dropping
head. They could see Dark Darrell bend
ing over him. lie seemed to clasp his
arms about the horses neck and a cry of
Joy and thanksgiving went up. IL reach
ed the brave riders ears, and he sent up
an answering shout of triumph. The
horses feet had touched ground. He had
won the mighty battle; and trembling ana
exhausted, he had stopped TO rest and
gather fresh strength.
But the peril was not yet past. The
Mill had to be reached. IL was still stand
ing. For only moment did Sir Philip
suffer the horse 20 halt; then turning him
back towards the Mill he rode EDWARDS,
the water still washing up TO the saddle
girths. 1t was impossible to exceed
walking pace; and in every second OAR
rell lived an hour Of agony. At any mo-
ment the Mill might collapse before his
eyes, carrying with it its hapless prisoner.
AS lie drew nearer Sir Philip perceived
It would be necessary TO swim again to
reach the Mill. The current too, grew
stronger every minute, augmented here
by the weir. Was he TO lose all when IL
was nearly within his grasp? Hassan's
great power of endurance had been taxed
do little more. He could scarcely keep
his feet against the wash of the flood;
but he struggled on, still on, urged by his
masters voice and cheered by his loving
touch.
's0ne moment more my Hassan-one
momentl Oh, heaven. have mercy yet,
and spare her till | come! Hassan, my
brave, my faithful, you cannot fail me
Strive still, my noblest, my best! So, once
more. Ali, Heaven, give us aidp
The horse was off his feet, swimming
for dear life. He had no breath for the
answering whinny to the voice he heard
but family, for his powers were fast fail
ing. Horse and rider were close now;
the Mill was above them. Darrell rose in
the stirrups, and, putting up his hand, he
found that he could almost touch the lin
tel Of the first-story window. He shouted
aloud. Was that an answering cry from
within-her voice? The brave steed APP
peared TO know his errand, and made one
more effort. Now Darrell grasped the
Intel, raised himself, aud stood on the
sill. Yet even in that anxious moment
his noble companion was not forgotten
A bitter sob burst from the mans heart as
the pathetic eyes Of the gallant steed
looked up at him, and then the flood car
ried the noble Hassan downwards. lie
could strive against it no longer; but still,
with the instinct of self-preseryation, he
struggled to keep afloat; and Darrell rails
ed his locked hands to Heaven and ut
tered passionate prayer for the brave
and faithful life that had been almost
spent for him.
Then Sir Philip-it was scarcely sec
ond that lie paused-sprsng down into
the Mill, and called Ilma's name; and tho
answer came back
"Philip, Philip, am herep
He dashed up the narrow stairway to
the floor above. What was that. that fash
ed across the broad shaft Of moonlight
pouring through the unguarded Window
A mans figure, crouching, hiding, and
ready To spriuRl