The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-11-20

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Of light across the fields, swaying and
Pickering as though carried by an ex-
cited, unsteady hand; and man lean
ing against the door of John Mason's
stables, whiting stick and musing
over something which evidently pleased
him much. He, bel never helped
take them out of here. Can't prove it
by me who's takin' to stealin'; h'aint
been behind the haystack tryin' to ham,
mer the bung in that barrel2 An it
won't stay, but it made an awful racket
There's one consolation; if them there
HOSES have to go fur, they've been we'll
fed an every shoe 10 as sound as trig-
ger-ha, hal" And Ben Stone shut up
his knife and went in to inform his
master that as likely as not somebody
had stolen something or other about
the place, but it couldn't be proved by
him.
"Shut up and go to bed with you,
and don't answer questions until you're
asked" was the curt reply, with this
addition in an undertone: wouldn't
begrudge the best span I've got to
get even with old Gringer once more"
Patter, patter click, cickl neck to
neck and nostri to nostril, along ridge
| anu IuTUuRu WOOutu uOllOW
the two feet coursers like some we'll
mated birds of flight. But few words
were exchanged, but two pairs of hui
man ears strained, minute by minute,
to catch the sound of expected pursuit
Out of another valley and up to the
top of another ridge they go steadily,
painting and steaming. They paused
second to breathe, and look and listen.
Away back on the last ridge, a mile
or more away, the moonlight glistens
on something bright "a silver-plated
buckle or saddle decoration-and then
there comes clear, ringing sound, as
when steel strikes tiintl
Hes coming! Oh, hurry, Dick
We cannot reach Mr.. Stilwell's in time
| its
Three miles yet, and"
You know Fleetwood's gait; Mr..
Mason never had a horse that could
outrun him. What shall we do? Oh,
if only we were"
Married and l could call you my
own then l would not need run a step,
but could defend my right to you in the
eyes of the law. Listen! What's that
aheadpn
"The Corners are just down there,
you know, and some one may be COM
ing on the cross-road."
"An ideal That is the direction
from which the preacher comes. What
if it should be-But, no; he's going
straight ahead of us. Yes, there he
turns! Whip up, and let's overtake
him, whoever the rider bel"
And the two blown and jaded horses
were urged afresh.
A quarter of mile; half mile
three-quarters. The sound of hoofs in
both directions is growing distinct. Oh,
so near behindl
"Call him, Richardl He may stop.
Oh, if it only Isl"
But your father will hear, too, and
hasten Hello, there Waltz
"Who is il?"
81 can't be mistaken in that voice,
Dick. He has stopped. Now"
In moment the overtaken party
was seen, sure enough, to be the very
preacher they were riding hard and
fast to find. But while the situation
was being explained the footsteps of
the pursuing horses were heard close
by, and in minute another " Hello!"
rang on their ears, hoarse and infuriated:
"Stop! stop. command you. Mamie,
your father tells you to stop! Young
man, I'll horsewhip you on the spot if
you don't give zoe my daughterl"
The two looked at each other in de-
spair. There would scarcely be time to
begin the ceremony. Must they be
torn asunder when 80 near the goal?
The thought made the girl turn pale,
and she almost sank helpless in her
lovers arms.
But the preacher, backwoodsman
that he was, was man of wit and re-
sources, and of heart as well. "Keep
on" said he, quietly, land ride as fast
as you can. L will follow. Join your
hands and sit firm in the saddle when l
tell you. | have it on the tip of my
tongue. The Lord please, you'll be
man and wife before that horse brushes
his nose against yours"
Chatter, clatter-clink, clink! rang the
sharp hoof-beats! Nearer and nearer
they came together; but the words
rolled off the preachers lips, as he rose
and sank in his stirrups, faster than the
speed of the racers.
1t was a race of tongue against hoof!
The wild and mad pelting of the iron
shod feet were pitted against heart
throbs and brain-puses and trem bling
lipsl
Nearer and nearer sped Fleetwood,
until his horses painting almost
drowned the preachers words! But
few rods separated them!
" Join your hands," came the sharp
command.
"Halt, command you, in the name
Of
:" Put spurs! Forasmuch as Richard
w. Anderson and Annie Gringer have
consented to-"
" Hold up there Pm an officer of
the law !" demanded another voice,
drowning the preachers forasmuch."
But the wild wedding party dashed
forward, now almost covered by the |
dust the others raised; and the preach
er's lips worked fast
" In the name of the Father"
"Halt, or you'll suffer he penal"
"And of the Son"
"Give me my daughter, you villainl"
Al IL