The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-09-13

well, that's fair" gently asserted
| Jasper, I'm You GO There isn't much
| fuss and feathers about the old sleigh,
| but it means business all the same"
Lily was furious at being treated like
cl. "a. Besides, she had determined to
teach Jasper a lesson.
Rather like Deacon Platt's sermons
They always hang fire at the start" said
Jasper.
Now, we1l &c to Hawkesbury by the
river trac'- That fellow can see us COM
ing. All, | thought so, He'll be down
here in a minute" ~~-~
Lily looked rather frightened as the
chestnut game along at furious pace.
t was evident that his driver resented
Being made fool of and that there
would be a Scene as soon as he could get
his horse alongside Jasper's funereal
quadruped. But no sooner did that de-
jected animal touch the ice than he be-
came different looking horse altogether.
His head went up and his tail out at the
ring of the chestnut's hoofs on the smooth
ice which connected the river with the
shore. Then Jasper, leaning back, wait
ed until the chestnut was within 90
yards and suddenly loosed the reins.
What, w-what"- said Lily. Hes
running away, Jasperr'
"Yes, he's doing his level best" said
Jasper AS the bank seemed to spin by.
"If the chestnut catches us, you can have
, his MASTER"
Jasper kept the blacks head straight.
That was all he could do with the un-
manageable beast "You see, Lil," he
| explained, you've been fooling one of
us to the top of your bent. Now, you'll
| just take the chances of war. If he col
lars US, shall have to give in"
II WON'T said Lily stoutly, beginning
to realize the situation and how Jasper
had awakened to life under the influence
of jealousy. Nothing shall make me
m-m-marry him. only drove with him
because it was so dull down here. That
was ALL"
| "Chestnut's coming up Bit" said
Jasper cheerily, after another mile.
Hope Baalbec will hold out"
Lily gazed anxiously at the animated
ruin" in the shafts. The chestnut was
gaining. Then she looked at the black
horse "C-c-c-couldn't you whip him?"
she asked.
L could" said Jasper, "but it's hard
ly fair. He isn't the one that should be
whipped for this
Lily turned pale. You're very cruel,
Jasper. but deserve it all. Nothing
shall make me marry him. I'd rather
go to the bottom of the river with you. "
As they neared Haw.kesbury the chest
nut steadily gained. Jasper had succeed
ed in pulling the old black back into his
gait and began to whistle. Suddenly he
turned pale.
How far's that fellow behind, Lil?'
he asked.
Forty yards" said Lii in an agony.
Jasper spoke quite lightly. ILL" he
said, did you mean you'd rather go te
the bottom of the river with me than lei
that fellow catch up?"
Yes" said Lii, without hesitation
What do you mean, Jasper?" -,
This" said Jasper. II forgot the
spring thaw. Three hundred yards
ahead of us the rivers split right across
Shall pull up:'
Lily stood up in the sleigh and looked
round. She gave little shudder an6
laid her hand on Jasper's arm.
Go on, Jasper" she said. "Ill risi
it,
Jasper looked down for d moment
into her white face ''Tll pull I'D if yol
wish, Lii. Twill be too late directly"
mo, Jasper, deserve it. Go ON, ant
and if--if it's to be goodby"- Sh,
kissed him.
Hold tight" said Jasper, beginnin:
to pull steadily on the old black.
Lii held tight to the side of the sleigi
! iii an agony Of grief. Then he lifted th'
black to the leap, gave one cruel slasl
with the whip, there was crash o
! breaking ice as the sleigh struck ON tn,
other side, a stagger from the black. 1
: convulsive pull and they were over an,
: 30 yards beyond the widening chasm
with the frightened cashier pulling ri
on its brink. When Lily recovered con
sciousness, she found herself in tn
manse parlors at Hawkesbury.
Are you all right, Lip asked Jaspe
: cheerily
She clung to him and hid her face il
;, his breast.
WAS it all dreamy
Jasper took plain gold ring from hi
pocket.
Il don't think SO" he said II wire,
down to Mr.. Watson yesterday to expec
:, US this afternoon. Now, Mrs. Watson
. she's all ready"
An hour later the funereal blac
crawled lazily back Half way they me
the cashier, his chestnut nearly four
dered and scarce able to stand.
Thank Godv' he cried as they cam
in sight. Il thought you were mad"
: "N-no," said Jasper. touching up th
! old black. .'N-no. / was just giving m
= wife sleigh drive down to-
"Y-your wifes'
: Yes" said Jasper, again stimulatin
Baalbec. Sorry we couldn't wait fc
YOU"
= And the cashier fell behind--a lon
wav behind-again. &C Chicago News