Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-10-22

tueT IQlOItllttiOu. Il iNPNop -. 1900
lady told me she was going 70 leave
| Winchester Immediately. l know no
more" -.
And you said nothing to prevent it?
| You did not detain her." /.
Il detain her! You are dreaming.
What affair of mine was itT'
You. then, are the cause Of all this!
You it was who ~counselled her to fly
! from her lawful husband! Your med
ding has done this!"
Il have had no hand in the matter,
sir. as | told you before; nor do l see
how the lady's whereabouts a affect
you"
Not affect me. She is my wife,
Your wife,"
yes. Now do you see what mischief
your foolish meddling has done? Now
do you see the evil Of interfering with
other persons concerns? You shall rue
the afternoons work"
Il can only say. Mr.. Gridley. that
| Judging from your present violence, L
dio NOT wouier ut your wife Wishing 10
fly from YOU; and | think she has done
quite right in making her escape from
such a ruffian."
A second time the doctor turned to
quit the room but ere he had reached
the door, John Gridley, enraged by
passion. flew at him like a tiger, and
fastened his hands about his throat.
Now, DR.. Harvey was a quiet, self
possessed man. and not easily reused;
but he was strong and muscular, and
found little difficulty in d~isengaging
the hold of his assailant.
John Gridley drew back, painting, for
n fnxt, Sa,nn1s md fhln py1jn IlrfpI
at the doctor; but this time the latter
was prepared for the attack, and shot
out his arm straight from the shoulder,
and felled the model young man to the
ground.
John Gridley lay mOtionless; and his
late antagonist, with Il quiet smile.
knelt by his side, and placed his hand
over his heart.
1T is time | should drop the charac-
ter Of pugilist, and assume that Of doc
tor he muttered.
So saying, he bathed his assailants
face. and was binding up his head in
linen bandages, when John Gridley re-
turned TO consciousness.
The evil spirit was still strong within
him: and. staggering to his feet, he
tore the bandages from him, and cast
them OF the ground.
Then. with an angry look of hate.
he left the apartment without a word.
He was still dizzy from the effects of
the blow. but he managed to reach
home in safety.
Saddle the brown mare" he grOwled
to his servant.
Now, sir. Do you know how late
ii is?'
do as you're told!" he cried, with
an oath.
"Of course, she's gone back to that
Annadale!' he muttered; but I'll find
her. If l go to the furthest corner of
the globe I'll break her proud spirit,
if | die for it,"
With this amiable determination he
mounted his horse, and galloped of
into the black, stormy night.
On, on he rode, urging his horse 70
his utmost speed, muttering curses,
not loud but deep" against everything
and everybody.
"Fooled-duped-and by her" so ran
his thoughts. she, the little village
girl. with her pale, white ace, TO trick
and deceive me thus! But l will be
even with her yet, I will make her
wish. that she had died rather than de-
celVe ME tnuS.
Alike against Matthew Rivers, and
DR.. Harvey, he breathed threats OF
vengeance. He was beside himself
with passion. and scarcely knew what
he said or did, but rode furiously on,
not even attempting to guide his horse.
who had instinctiyely taken the Ports
muth road, as that most frequently
traversed by its master.
Then. as he still galloped forward.
the storm burst Il second time. and the
rain fell in torrents.
1t was Il dreadful thing, that furious,
passinate man, whirling along amidst
the fury Of the elements, shouting
forth In impious rage the most ter
rible threats and denunciations.
Suddenly, from Il black cloud over
head, burst forth Il dazzling sheet OF
electric fire, and at the same m
a deafening peal of thunder shook the
earth.
afrighted. the horse came to a dead
halt. almost throwing its rider over bis
head.
Savagely. John Gridley piled his
heavy ridingwhip, but without effect,
for the poor, terrified beast. with trem-
bling limbs, stood stock-still.
With a fierce oath he dug his spurs
into the animals %quivering flank; but
he was 10 pay the penalty for his cruel
ty.
The horse reared and stood erect,
paving the air with his fore legs. John
Gridley pulled at the curb with a vie
ious wrench. and the next lay
PROSTATE in the muddy road
He managed 10 escape being crushed
by the horse as he fell; but his arm
vas beneath him, and when he tried
to move 1t, it gave him exquisite pain.
He managed to crawl to the roadside.
and seat himself on a bank; but the
agony he suffered was too great 10
permit him 10 pursue his way.
In the thick night he knew lot where
he Il His horse was dead or dying:
it was pouring with. rain. and his arm
was broken.
All through the night he sat shivering
and In the greatest pain, till with the
early dawn came the sound of wheels
In the distance, and then the merry
song Of a bkthe farmer, Willing away
the tedium OF his drive with snatches
Of old English melody.
In a faint voice, John Gridley called
on him tn sfnp