The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-01-27

SWANS who venturod to make evening
calls on their sweethearts inwardIy
quaked as they drove home, lashing
their nags past dark and gruesome
places on the road.
All the most thrilling details Fan
poured into my ears as we walked up
the road winding between the fields
from the station. And I, my senses
The while gratefully conscious of the
soft tints of the sunset, the fragrance
of the wild roses blooming along the
wall, the restful quiet and freshness,
attentively listened until she reached
the impressive climax.
Two weeks ago that very night DIR.
Andrews horse had been stolen; and,
though members of The Horsethief
Detecting society" had started in pur-
suit the next morning and three Of
them were still searching, no trace of
it had yet been discovered.
woke with start at midnight. A
broad strip of light lay across my bed
from the lamp post opposite? No. it
was moonlight! raised on my elbow
why, of course, was at Haywood
farm, and that was Rover barking so
savagely. and-yes. heard voices. and
scurrying feet in the hall Why. what
'Oh, quick! wake 'em, quick! Hes
| turning into the orchard"
That was Mrs. Haywood! Instantly
l grasped the situation-horse-t thieves!
| l sprang out of bed and rushed into the
hall.
They've got your Ned. Ma heard
him step out of the barn! cried Fan, as
she dashed past me and up to the next
floor, two steps at time.
"Our Ned?" l calculated, and flying
back to my window flung open the
shutters
The full moon was deluging the earth
with food of silvery light, in which
surrounding objects stood out almost as
distinctly as at MONDAY. Plainly
could discern man riding dark horse
among the trees in the orchard. Our
dear old Ned, who had been wintering
on the farm; the sight was maddening.
Catch him, Rover! Sic, sic!"
shouted, wildly clapping my hands and
Again came Mrs. Haywood's voice:
''Girls, girls, tell them to hurry!
He's trying to take the colt Matthew,
l told you it wasn't safe to leave it out
over night Oh dear, dear, what keeps
those boysl''
'Oh, heard it whinny" screamed,
Joining the other distracted females.
s,OI do ca do
ED, Frank, they're taking the colt!'
we cried, rushing pell-mell into the
young mems apartment, where we
found Fan frantically trying to drag
them out of bed by main force.
Now we heard pa calling for lam
tern. Down we rushed in a body,
leaving the thoroughly aroused young
men, who quickly drew on their neither
garments and followed in our wake.
Mrs. Haywood met us in the hall
wringing her hands.
Hes riding one horse and leading
another" she cried ''Oh. i know he'll
get awayl Matthew, l told you it
wasn't safe to leave that colt out And
he'd lust as leave shoot as not Don't
one of you stir step till you're all to-
gether!"
Frank seized the lantern and hurried
out to investigate the barns. By this
time the hubbub had brought to our
assistaece Dutch Hans"-a man in
charge of the neighboring place-armed
with rusty old musket and no ammu-
milton.
Thus reinforced they sailed forth to
meet the horsethief, who was now in
the road in front of the house. We of
the weaker sex timorously followed as
far as the piazza, valiantly headed by
ma, who carried for defense an old
slipper and a candle which the wind
extinguished.
Instead of digging rowels into Ned
and galloping of at sight of our
formidable array, the desperate pur-
sued his way with unseemly leisure.
''Hallo, therel who are you, and
where are you going?" called Ed.
The specter-like figure moved on
without vouchsafing word.
Halt! Who are you, and where are
you going" roared pa.
No answer.
"Hi, eef you no speelz I shoot"
like club.
But even this blood-curdling threat
was received in imperturbable silence, !
as man and both horses disappeared
around the bend of the road
We were relieved to learn that Ned |
was safe. but ma was rather chagrined |
to hear that her led horse had on closer |
proved to be COW. How
ever, it was q suspicious Circumstance |
that a strange man should be driving |
a COW through that lonely district at !
midnight. And his uuaccountable |
aversion to speak? We now remem- |
bered that all through the uproar he |
had maintained the same uncanny ST. /
ience. The widest conjectures were /
hazarded, but as no satisfactory ex-
planation could be given all again re- /
tired, to await further developments in
The morning.
Everyone was up betimes Mrs. Hav- |
wood-who had discarded her ghostiy |
habiliments and robed herself in gar
uents more fitting a modern ma.ron-
was greatly concerned for fear should
take cold as we ran through the dewv
grass of the orchard examining the
horses tracks and pattiIg the colt who
had so narrowly escaped capture
We were still at loss 70 account for
the strange occurrence. Later, how
ever as Fan aud ] were coming from !