Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1894-02-02

beyond words.
1t was slow work to anxious hears.
Half the distance was past and the
shadow of the bluff over them before
a word was spoken. Beyond them in
every direction to the edge of the hor-
izon the prairies were bathed in a
cool, pale gray mist The wind in the
shining, low dropping pines murmured
perpetual requiem.
Suddenly Nancy's horse SHE'D, near
ly pitching her from the saddle, SO I'M
expected was the lurch. Jack pulled
the beast up sharply, astonished as he
watched him quiver and tremble.
"What happened him, Nancy9" he
quiried. 'There's nothing in sight. :"
The girl made no response, but
grasped the reins tightly. With her
body bent forward and her neck
sire tched out she scarcely seemed TO
breathe, in her concentrated effort
to hear. AS Jack would have
touched her hands she drew in her
breath murmnring, 'Hush, Jack, lis
ten
Her lover leaned forward, but
rather to be near her than to hear, al
most smiling at her in the death-like
stiffness of the night. But, as he
listened, the smile died away. First
came the soft, thick sound of a padded
football on moist ground, then the
sharp, cracking noise of broken un-
derbrush. A moments silence was
followed by the shrill, savage yell of
hungry beasts. The wolves had
scented their prey.
In an instant Jack was on the alert.
"Nancy Nancy!" he cried. Don't
sit motionless like that. They are
almost upon MS. Use your whip ;
strike Modoc square between the eyes.
He must die for you tonight, if need
be"
The horses quickly responded to the
unaccustomed touch of the whip and
broke into smart gallop, in spite of
burning hoofs and quaking ground.
At the sound of human voices two
ravenous mountain wolves broke
through the brush and settled into q
steady trot in the horses trail. They
seemingly made no effort to lessen the
space between them, following at an
even distance, like two mocking,
sinister shadows. But the space grew
less and less, for the horses were be-
ginning to weaken. The whip, COAX
ing words, even caresses from Nancy's
soft little hand were of no avail. The
hoarse, oft repeated cries of the wolves
affected the horses like ague.
AS Jack watched Nancy's face, the
deathly pallor, the drawn liues at the
corners of the sweet mouth, he knew
there was no need to explain the stu
alton to her, but not in the face nor
in single line of the supple, young
body was there trace of cowardly
fear. What if she would not listen to
him would not let him save her -
"Nancy sweetheart! No, no, do
not STOP" rs she drew her rein at the
sound of his voice. esGive Modoc
loose rein and plenty of whip and
then, dear, listen to me. Listen with
your heart and swear you will do as l
say. Nancy, we can't both get out of
this alive. Let me live up to your
trust in me-" Then, as for an in
slant, the girls lips quivered child
ishly. Jacks voice broke and he put
his hand on his throat to choke back
groan. Don't child, don't, " he said,
unsteadily. 81 can save you, oh ! SO
easily, Nancy, if you will only listen
and do rs l say. Modoc has some
strength yet. He is afraid of the whip
and will keep up if he only has time
time" He repeated the word half
deliriously, it seemed so unattainab
q thing
81 will manage this way, dear.
will leave my horse, it will stop them
for little and then, as Nancy shook
her head resolutely, 81 can keep up
with Modoc for-Nancy, you must,
yod shall for my sake, for your
fathers" So earnestly was Jack
pleading he had forgotten how the
distance was narrowing at every word.
Now, as he jumped lightly to the
ground, yell of ferocious triumph
rose up, almost at his very feet.
son, Modoc, on!" he cried as he
snatched the reins from the girls
still hands and struck the horse
wildly on the neck and flanks. The
frightened beast plunged furiously for
n moment, then darted across the
prairie, but unincumbered, for Nancy
bad loosened her dress and dropped
from the saddle to her lovers side.
The beasts were now advancing in
fantastic circles, fawning to the ground
and opening wide their mouths with
hideous yawning sounds.
Jack stood rigid, as one suddenly
awakened from heavy slumber. The
horror of it all was upon him. If only
he were alone it would not be so hard,
just the sharp pain, the short struggle
and the farewell thought of Nancy and
the ''little mater. But Nancy
Nancy?" he moaned her name aloud
in his agony.
At the sound Nancy flung herself on
his heart. Jack Jack forgive me !
! could not go, darling Heart of
mine, it was worse than death to go.
Kiss me, Jack, once. Good bye.
can almost hear them breathe. y
Jack took her close in his arms,
pressing her face to his breast.
''Shut your eyes, sweetheart. 1t was
nothing" as Nancy started. But he
covered her face, lest she should see
that the horse had gone down before