The Lamar register., 1892-12-17

hino the counter awaiting custo-
mer. IT such ar unlikely thing "a
ones coming should occur.
The frame building shook in the
wind and the floor was whitening
about the door where a fine sIeet
came through the cracks.
seizing some heavy boots che drew
them on, and throwing an overcoat
from Fieecle's stock around her, she
giided noisrlessly through side door
and stood alone in the night.
| The nearest house was two miles
away, She could see its lamp
twinkllne over the level prairie which
stretched far to the dark horizon
around. The snow clouds were li,ht
wind.
1t was ten miles to Blake's cabin.
the little frame house OF the hand
some bachelor settler to whom she
realized that her heart had gone
/ out.
She must get there before the COW
boys. Taking from the stable her
foster parents fleetest broncho she
leapt upon its back fearlessly and with
rude rope bride to guide dashed
forward into the night.
With a steady swish I he hardy horse
bounded on, shaking his rough name
with apparent pleasure as he breasted
the cold blast.
She knew the course the party of
cowboys would probably take. She
knew, too, the most direct line to the
claim OF him otwhon she had thought
as her lover. Up the little incline she
swept, down through the reedy ravi-
nes, her skirt torn by the dead sun
Hover stalks and her face at times
brushed by the tall rag weeds. The
way seemed so long. Would she be in
time' She struck the broncho blow
with the ropes end and he increased
his space until 1t seemed that he could
cover the distance no faster.
Thanksgiving eve and I'll stay at
home, mused Blake a. he drew his
one chair close to the stove OF his sim
| gle-roomed cabin. Two years ago /
was really NJ home enjoying the lire
! with the old folks; nov | am alone.
But 1t will not be long. and he look
ed around with a conscious pride up
on some new turniture--a table, a cup.
| board and n roll OF carpst-that
shone IN its Cundy chaapness in a cor
ner of the room. at will not be long,
hope. for / think she loves me well
enough to marry me. Tvetreatei the
poor child shabbily for a while, |
know; but the finding OF Mary school
and the gettingher here has about kept
me busy. An don't suppose the lit
| tie lass knows OF her n. ali"
He put a few more pieces OF wood
into the fire and continued. Mother
was married on Thank ,giy ing; was
born on that day wish could be
mar-but no, II Is too late now. |
must 20 ter town ngiu tomorrow an
git another load OF iurn ture an then
I'll speak ter her. / wish Mary could
be here with US but she cant until
summer an then 'seein' as how as tn
old folks is gone, mehbe she will but
know she'll like my little gal. my
pretty prairie wild-rose, my sweet
heart
He started 10 his feet. a horses
hoofs were heard outside coming on r.
run up the beaten path that led from
the regular trail TO the settlement. In
moment he was at the door peerins
into the darkness.
! A little firure slid down from pant.
ing pony and Merl's face looked up at
him.
'You, here he exclaimed, startled
As a. an apparition.
.'Ye-, me But thnr amt no time
ter vast. Jim; they're comm"
"Cominsg Who"
"Th' lyncheFs heard 'em a ways
back They's lot OF 'em an wemust
act quick "
u.s."
They think you've done soIne,hin'
Never mind now what, an air eumin'
ter punish yeh,"
Blake would have stormed and
frc,;ed himself into uselessness il the
cirl had not brought him TO his senses.
do ~ say. Give ME yer hat an
when they git in sight blow out yer
lisht, hide under tn bed an I'll skip.
They n foller ME thinkin' it's you, an
! III lead 'em a chase, tell yer While
vera gone you make yerseif scarce
Understand"
There was no time for parley, AL.
ready the mufied patter OF ponies
hoots on the sod could be dis
tinculshed.
.No, no, am no coward, III take
the chase and I'll escape, too the
man was determined and attempted
to take from the girl the hat she had
snatched from the table just inside
the door.
There was a little struggle but the
pursuers did not see Il.
What they did see inst as they came
within a few rods OF the house was a
ouir- extincuishing OF the light in the