The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1894-02-07


beyond words.
It 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-
lion 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, 50 un-
expected was the lurch, Jack pulled
the beast up sharply, astonished as he
watched him quiver and tremble.
"What happened him, NancyP" 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
stretched 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 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 Nancyl" he cried. Don't
sit motionless like that. They are
almost upon us. 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
ravenuus mountain wolves broke
through the brush and settled into a
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 &
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 lines 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 mol
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, dc
not stop" as she drew her rein at the
sound of his voice. ''Give ModoC
loose rein and plenty of whip ant
then, dear, listen to me. Listen Will
your heart and swear You will do as
say. Nancy, we can't both get out o
this alive. Let me live up to you
trust in me-" Then, as for an in
stant the girls lips quivered child
ishly. Jacks voice broke and he pu
his hand on his throat to choke back I
groan. Don't child, don't, " he said
unsteadily. 81 can save you, oh st
easily, Nancy, if you will only lister
and do as l say. Modoc has SOM
strength yet. He is afraid of the whil
and will keep up if he only has tim,
time" He repeated the word hal
deliriously, it seemed SO unattainabl,
{ q thing.
al will manage this way, dear.
will leave my horse, it will stop then
for little and then," as Nancy shook
, her head resolutely, 81 can keep III
, with Modoc for-Nancy, you must,
you shall for my sake, for you
! fathers" So earnestly was Jacl
pleading he had forgotten how thu
distance was narrowing at every word
= Now, as he jumped lightly to tn
: ground, yell of ferocious triumph
: rose up, almost at his very feet.
r "On, Modoc, on!" he cried as h
snatched the reins from the girl
, still hands and struck the hors
S wildly on the neck and fanks. TIL
e frightened beast plunged furiously fo
+, a moment, then darted across tn
s prairie, but unincumbered, for Name
n had loosened her dress and droppe
1 from the saddle to her lovers side.
. The beasts were now advancing i
: fantastic circles, fawning to the groun
}, and opening wide their mouths wit
Q hideous yawning sounds
u Jack stood rigid, as one suddenl
awakened from heavy slumber. Th
: horror of it all was upon him. If onl
h he were alone it would not be SO hare
just the sharp pain, the short struggl
k and the farewell thought of Nancy an
h the 'little mater. But ''Nancy
" Nancy?" he moaned her name alou
|, in his agony.
{. AT the sound Nancy flung herself o
II his heart. Jack Jack forgive mt
d | could not go, darling. Heart
mine, it was worse than death to g,
II Kiss me, Jack, once. Good bye.
l. can almost hear them breathe.
Jack took her close in his arm
le pressing her face to his breast.
ie "Shut your eyes, sweetheart. 1t w
il nothing" as Nancy started. But
covered her face, lest she should 81
II that the horse had gone down befoI
10 them