The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-06-07

time scarcely daring to breathe. Do you
know Tiff he Is dead!" she added in IN
awestruct voice as she hid her face.
"Your father, childp Don't weep. We
have no time for that now. He fell in the
front of his men, fighting. You would
have wished him to die SO, child, would
you not?"
The words seemed to nerve her, for she
glanced up at him gratefully.
"All our best and bravest have fallen
tonight, " he went on sadly. "It's only
such worthless scoundrels as myself
that
She put up her hand quickly and covered
his mouth. He kissed the hand and then
spoke quickly and firmly
"Come, child, we must get out of this
There's not moment to be lost. I think I
know the way. Hark at the din those
cursed f1ends are making outside still.
Come, we must not wait here. You trust
me, eh?" he questioned abruptly, looking
down at her.
Through all things" she replied
quietly.
He hurried her through the place, and
they crept away hand in hand to the sta
bles. How it was done she scarcely knew
afterward, but his own answering cour-
age seemed to inspire her, and together
they silently saddled two horses and
mounted and rode out. They could hear
the shouting still behind them, but it ap-
peared to die away, and, once outside the
walls of the place, they knew that they
would be comparatively safe Carlyn had
loaded his revolver afresh, and he still car
ried the heavy saber in his hand, and his
black eyes cleaned with an increased
watchfulness.
If any of those fellows spring up il
front of you ride straight at them and look
neither to right nor left. I'll settle their
business. When we pass the gates, ride
for all you re worth. I'll be at hand"
Even as he spoke there was sudden up.
rising Of dusky forms about them, but she
set her teeth hard and kept firm scat and
rode on She had memory afterward of
great red coated figure beside her on
horseback, rising in its stirrupsi of a
CLEAN OF steel in the starlight as the saber
whirled round; of screams and gutteral
cries. lie was beside her in an instant,
with his stern, set face peering straight
ahead.
Sit tight and ride hard, child" he said
huskily. They're on our track. We are
safe, think, unless they can secure horses
in time and then
He dhs not finish the sentence. He
slipped She sword back into its place and
smiled &rimly. After time she heard his
voice again
"Whese is Cliffordp'' he asked sharply.
AT Naas-Kali, she painted as she flew
along beside him. Sent there yesterday
He was silent for G moment. Presently
he said, speaking almost with jerk:
"They won't have reached there yet.
We are N straight line for it now An
other two hours at this pace will do it,
They raced on through the hot Indian
night far some little time. Once or twice
the captain turned in his saddle and
glanced back anxiously. At last he said:
II d,n't want to brighten you, little one.
There's no cause for fear-yet They re
coming after us. / thought thoy would.
They're afraid we should give the alarm,
/ suppose. Keep brave heart, child
They shan't touch you.''
They were Gathering through kind OF
natural cutting in the hills as he spoke
the high, precipitous sides of which rose up
on either hand. 1t was very narrow, ana
the ground very uneven. While she
glanced at him in grateful recognition OF
his words she felt her horse sink under her
Carlyn's arm was round her in an instant,
and the animal he bestrode was almost on
its Launches. They found to their dis1nay
that The poor brute had slipped one of its
fore legs into hole and could not ever
stanl properly.
TIE captains face was very white, but
very calm. "Do you hear them, now,
child," he said quietly. In the silence
aroTnd them the pursuing hoof beats
Soul :ded distinctly. "You will ride or
alor>s," he said, with the air of one giving
a ccfnmand.
sBut-you?''
"Will stay and face them, and may the
devl-their master-protect them," he
mustered. "No, child. Tears are useless
We can't both CO. with only one horse and
these fends tearing down nearer and near
er avery second. By the Lord, but I'll give
a good account Of myself Come on with
yoH." He lifted her up tendcrly "You
know how to ride as few women can, and
yoa will stick on this saddle There's no
tirae to change. Keep the straight path
fairly easy going. Goodbye
SNh ~ o1a " 4Ou SCON, DTdNc,
tender soul! I think know you for the
fist time. cannot leave you here"
"You shall if have to tito you on and
start the horse off like the ancient one of
Tnrtary. All, little one," he whispered
more tenderly, with his face appraised to
her. "Don't-don't make 1t all harder.
Think of me sometimes as you see me
new. Let it blot out the rest. Let your pure
tears-your pure prayers-be called forth
Sometimes by the thought Of the scamp
who loved you, who may, perchance, die
for you. Now go quickly"
She was glad to remember afterward
ts:at she bent her head and kissed the
sciled sinner OF the lips before she rode
away. Then the man swung round, and
dashed his hand across his eyes, and
oAoked sob in his throat and faced the
Last fight his warped life was to know.
II don't think ever r-ayed before, - he
nluttered, "but I do pray now that the
God, or fate, that rules us will keep me
and fighting until the child is
safe''
And his prayer was answered
FREELY.