Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-06-09

fast.
so you won't ride with me- ch?" he
said, hoarscly "Anl after nslSin' me
II you could, too. Wen see about
that, guess You've got to do IL now,
II have to put you in the wagon by
force and hold you there when you are
iIr''
caught Whit Of the mans breath
and knew that hc was intoxicated |
comprchcudcd then the danger that en-
vironcd me, and my soul sank with
sickcning fear. | was entirely In the
power Of the wretch, and understood
very well that he would not hesitate to
deal with mo as his ilcndish nature
might suggest continued to struggle
for my freedom. but il 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 lit me in, but !
Grnspcd the spokcS OF the wheel and
held on with supcrhuman strength, re
fusing TO he torn away. For a long
time the terrible struggle continued
and felt my strength failing nc, and
| realized that in u little while | must
give up the contest
Then heard horse galloping across
the prairie. \ ray Of hope sprang up
in my heart and took lrmcr hold on
the wagon and waited The horse
stopped near us and | heard some one
dismount. Then heard u voice say:
"Whnt does this mcan?"
"Savc me, save me-" cried Save
inc from this wretch"
was aware that the newcomer
struck my prosecutor blow which sent
him sprawling TO the earth, but was
conscious Of nothing else for sorc time,
for had swooncd.
When recovered my faculties was
lying on the grass and u kindly looking
young man was knccling by me en-
gagged in chatting my hands. looked up
into the young mans face and examined
his features minutcly, and had no fear
Of him. read true nobility In every
lincamcnt, and knew | could trust
him implicitly. lie was the first to
speak, and his voice was so soft and
gentle that it sent thrill of pleasure
through me To hear IL.
Are you better now?' he asked.
Eyes, much better" | replied. SIS
he gomez"
THAT man9 Yes, you need have no
fear of him now"
GLOW can thank you for what you
have done for me?" | said, after short
pause.
81 do not want any thanks" he re-
| piled, but | will be only too happy to
render you any other service can"
made no reply aside from murmur-
ing my thanks, and for n minute or SO
we remained silent, he in the mean
time keeping his eyes fixed inquiringly
on me. | suppose he was at u loss to
account for my being there in the plight
| he found me, vet was too delicate to
question me. At last, seeing that was
not inclined 10 speak, he said;
81 am ready TO serve you as You may
! direct. Don't hesitate 10 express any
wish you have in mind"
| 81 only want TO be conducted TO some
| place to spend the night" answered.
II am a stranger here, and | know no
one"
"My home" he replied, sis n couple
Of miles distant, and II you can reach it
| ghu Will w NtlNbhhNh ny my luIthNS
and whatever there Is In tho house will
be ut your command. But you cannot
walk. You haven't the strength for
that"
III cannot, indeed" said |. 81 have
walked long way since morning, and
when reached this spot my strength
was all gone"
81 sec" he unused, seemingly buried
in thought Then, after pause: "If
you wouldn't mind, you might ride with
me, My horse will carry double, but a
lady cannot ride him alone"
81 do not mind" ! answered.
lie arose and brought the horse, and,
mounting into the saddle, lifted me up
behind him. We went slowly across
the prairie, talking very little, my COM
panion asking no questions and vol
untecring only such scraps Of informa-
ton as thought necessary to establish
my character and in some degree &C.
count for my strange situation.
| Finally we reached our destination,
and, stopping in front OF "a great,
rambling old farmhouse, my com
panion dismounted, and, lifting mo
gently to tho ground, conducted me in
doors and confdcd me To the care OF a
MISUNDERSTANDING old lady, who, though
greatly surprised at my appearance, re-
ccivcd mo with the greatest kindness,
asking no questions and making nU
comments,