People's voice., 1892-09-23

y
refining in his horses and glancing
around.
Il want to ride in your wagon to a
shelter for the night" replied, IF you
will be so kind as to let me-"
He looked very hard at me for quite a
little while, and some way ! did not
altogether like his manner. felt that
there was something of familiarity in it.
80 you want to ride with me, eh?"
he questioned, and at the same time
gave vent to low chuckle. I'D like
mighty well to accommodate you, but
I've got wife at home and guess she
wouldn't much fancy the idea of me
hauling other women around with me.
She's awful jealous, she is"
Having said so much he broke into a
loud laugh which grated harshly on my
nerves and which had the effect Of
frightening me most thoroughly. felt
almost sorry for having called to the
man, and if my situation had not been
so desperate should certainly have fed
from him even then.
That's one O. my little Jokes" he
said, letting his laugh cease. 81 amt
got no wife, nor nobody else to inter
fere with my privileges, so | do as
please and don't keer what nobody says.
If you want to ride with me you can,
and welcome, so hop up"
"Will you take me to some place
where can find shelter and food?" l
asked, hesitatingly.
"Sartin ! WILL" he answered, with a
queer grin. "I'll take you to my house
whar thar's plenty to eat, and drink,
too, and whar thar's plenty O. shelter
an nobody to occupy it but me an you.
That's good enough, reckon, so climb
in an les be trav'lin'."
He extended his hand for the purpose
of helping me in the wagon, but |
shrank away from him and bade him
leave me alone. He looked at me for a
moment with evident surprise, then ex-
claimed:
"Ho, amt my offer good enough?
Offered you all you asked for, and I'd
Ike TO know what more you want?"
Il want you to go away and leave
me, l cried.
What? Amt you goin' to ride with
me?" he asked.
mo, am not"
In an instant he had sprung to the
ground, and before l could divine his
intentions he had his arms clasped
about me. | struggled and screamed,
but in spite of all | could do he held me
fast.
80 you won't ride with me, eh?" he
said, hoarsely. "And after asllin' me
if you could, too. Well see about
that, l guess. You've got to do it now,
if have to put you in the wagon by
force and hold you there when you are
in"
caught Whit of the mans breath
and knew that he was intoxicated. |
comprehended then the danger that en-
vironed me, and my soul sank with
sickening fear. was entirely in the
power of the wretch, and | understood
very well that he would not hesitate to
deal with me as his fendish nature
might suggest. continued to struggle
for my freedom, but it was useless. /
sent up scream after scream, but had
no hope Of anyone hearing me.
The man dragged me to the wagon
and attempted to lift me in, but l
grasped the spokes of the wheel and
held on with superhuman strength, re-
fusing to be torn away. For a long
time the terrible struggle continued
and felt my strength failing me, and
realized that in little while must
give up the contest.
Then l heard horse galloping across
the prairie. A ray of hope sprang up
in my heart and took firmer hold on
the wagon and waited. The horse
stopped near us and l heard some one
dismount. Then l heard voice say:
What does this mean?"
"Save me, save me" cried. Save
me from this wretch"
l was aware that the newcomer
struck my prosecutor a blow which sent
him sprawling to the earth, but l was
conscious of nothing else for some time,
for had swooned.
When recovered my faculties was
lying on the grass and kindly looking
young man was kneeling by me en-
gagedin chatting my hands. Hooked up
into the young mans face and examined
his features minutely, and had no fear
OF him. l read true nobility In every
Ineament, and knew l could trust
him implicitly. He was the first to
speak, and his voice was so soft and
gentle tnat IL sent q thrill Of pleasure
through me to hear it.
"Are you better nowP" he asked.
"Yes, much BETTER" I replied. SIS
he gomez"
That manP Yes, you need have no
fear Of him now."
How can thank you for what you
have done for meP" l said, after a short
pause.
u do not want any thanks" he re-
piled, but l will be only too happy to
render you any other service can"
made no reply aside from murmur-
ing my thanks, and for minute or so
we remained silent, he in the mean
time keeping his eyes fixed inquiringly
on me. suppose he was at a loss to
account for my being there in the plight
ne found me, yet was too delicate to
question me. At last, seeing that was
not inclined to speak, he said:
NT