The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-11-24


stretched far to the dark horizon
around. The snow clouds were LIGHT
and drifted southwark on q rainy
wind.
1T was ten miles to Blake's cabin,
the little frame house OF the hand
some batchelor settler to whom she
realized that her heart had gone
i out. 5ss5
She must get there before the cow
boys. Taking trom the stable her
foster parents heetest broncho she
leapt upon its back fearlessly and with
q rude rope bride to gulde dashed
forward into the night.
With q steady swish the 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 ofwhonl she had thought
as her lover. Up the little incline she
swept, down through the reedy ravi-
mes, her skirt torn by the dead sum
| flower stalks and her face at times
brushed by the tall rag weeds. The
way seemed so long, Would she be in
timer She struck the broncho blow
with the ropes end and he increased
his space untilit seemed that he could
cover the distance no faster.
Thanksgiving eve and I'll stay at
home" unused Blake as he drew his
one chair close to the stove OF his sin
gle-roomed cabin. s'Two years ago /
was really at home enjoying the fire
with the old folks; now I am alone.
But it will not be long" and he look
ed around with q conscious pride up
on some new furniture a table, a cup.
board and q roll OF carpet-that
shone in it's guady cheapness in a cor
ner OF the room. 1T will not be long,
hope, for I think she loves me we'll
enough to marry me. Ivetreated the
poor child shabbily for a while, I
know; but the finding Of Mary a school.
and the getting her herehas about kept
me busy. An I don't suppose the lit
tie lass knows OF her at all"
He put few more pieces of wood
into the fire and continued: "Mother
was married on Thanksgiving; was
born on that day wish / could be
mar-but no, it is too late now. I
must go ter town agin tomorrow an
git another load of turn ture an then
I'll speak ter her. I wish Mary could
be here with us but she can t until
summer an then, seem as how as tn
old folks is gone, mehbe she will; but T
know she'll like my little gal, my
pretty prairie wild-rose, my sweet
heart
He started to his feet. A horses
hoofs were heard outside coming on a
run up the beaten path that led from
the regular trail to the settlement. In
a moment he was at the door peering
into the darkness.
A little fignre slid downfrom 8 pant
ing pony and Merl's face looked up at
him.
"You, here?" he exclaimed, startled
as at an apparition
eyes, me. But thar amt no time
ter waste, Jim; they're comm.
Coming? Who?"
9Th lynchers. I heard 'em a ways
back. They's a lot Of 'en an we must
act quick"
eve must? Whatdo they want O.
us?"
They think you've done somethin'.
Never mind now what, an air cumin'
ter punish yeh."
Blake would have stormed and
fretted himself into uselessness if the
girl had not brought. him to his senses.
EDO as say. Give me yer hat an
when they git in sight blow out yer
light, hide under tn bed an I'll skip.
They'll foller me thinkin it's you, an
Iii lead 'em a chase, tell yer. While
we'ro gone you make yerself scarce.
Underestimate
There was no time for parley, AL.
ready the muffed patter of ponies
hoofs on the sod could be dis
tinguished.
"No, no, am no coward. TIL 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 it.
What they did see just as they came
within a few rods OF the house was a
quick distinguishing Of the light in the
cabin and dark figure with Blake's
hat dimily outlined against the sky.
Away it dashed across the prairie,
followed by at least twenty men on
horseback, all masked and crying:
"There he goes; he's guilty sure; after
him!''
.#....
The ponies OF the lynchers were no
better than that OF the rider they
were following and that parsonage
easily led them just enough to keep
them encouraged.
Mile after rpile they traversed, the.
mems bodies rising and falling in.
monotonous regularity as the level
leagues were passed.
"Who warned him?' asked the
leader angrily, shouting out the
question to his band.
His conscience" answered one with
a coarse laugh, and no more was
said.
The prairies proper we're being left
behind. The course OF the cavalcade
as it followed Che dark figure nhorse-
back that like a will-o' -the-wisp kept.
50 provokingly just ahead Of them
Iyuo ,1o;x IL