The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-11-20
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1850 aassasaeesssssees9
By BEATRICE WHITLEY.
CHAPTER viii-(Cont inuea.,

-
/ s.s CHAPrnR vvi-{continuea.
About that. You are giddy,.', enx-
!, loully. II am 20 desperately sorry that
~ brought you. You told me the other
DAY that you could stand any height.
or I would not have thought Of bring
Ing you" RI n ~ss
/ "l'm getting better; I didn't know I
should mind. Il Il very stupid Of me.
She was lighting bravely against her
fenr, despising her swimming head and
the sickening Quivers Of faintness that
unstrung her muscles. ,5ss 5. i.fs<. Z.
viii you get out and walk" ::
This palliation Of her misery was for
hidden by the thought that, to allow Of
her descent from the cart, the horse
would have to step nearer to the edge
Of the clilf. IN which case. she knew
she would scream.
She shook her head: e
"Shall tell Phil tu-1ead the mAre?"
He was much concerned, for she lad
grown very pale. and the smile she
forced to her lips was piteously un-
real. s Y.
eyes, I should like that" her voice
shook. THINK you."
But AZ Phil alighted to obey this as
tonishing order sudden, sharp sound
above their heads startled them. They
hoked UP. Down the rugged face Of
!. the cliff, hurled from crag to crag,
whirling like d gigantic bird through
the mir, gray, struggling mass was
seen to descend until 1t fell with q dull
sickening thud-such sound as
haunts the memory for lifetime
upon the road in front of the trembling
mare. She stopped, backed pace or
two, plunging and rearing in terror;
then, answering to the voice and hand
of her master. she. dashed forward.
They passed Tint grim and shapeless
mass. lying. notionless and blood
streaked on the road, In safety, but the
wooden paling that guarded the edge
Of the precipice, and shivered 1t to
splinters. Then, ut mad gallop, the
mare raced on. The air Missed past
them, the cart rocked like q swing, the
cliffs seemed to.ruSh out to meet them,
startled sea gulls whirled round them
and below in the yawning deep the sea
reeled.
Once Helen reached out and caught
at the reins. With rough fury lse babe
her keep still and she obeyed.
Round the perilous sweep Of the cliff
they tore, whirling again so'near their
death tllat he set his teeth, thinking
the end had come. One fraction Of an
inch to the right and nothing would
save them; but again the frantic mare
answered to his voice and his grip of
the rein. She swerved ever SO little to
the left nnd rushed safely by-on, on.
scudding like cloud before the wind
ON, on, until sky. sea, clouds and
cliffs mingled In one staggering piano.
rama.
Helen sat motionless. Once, when
I she thought Of her mother beset her,
sshA had clutched at the reins; other,
wise she had not moved. nor had she
spoken. Through her mind the men,
oay Of heroes who had faced death
without fear came and strengthened
her. Though no one could know 1t she
would not quail or shudder; she would
not be afraid; she would die hard. She
was one Of those who do not mind
death, but cannot bear pinching."
But when the danger was past, when
the blessed shelter Of high hanks rose
on either side, when the mares gallop
sunk to a canter and from canter to
q trOt, when they were safe and the
far behind, then came the demon, re-
action, to unnerve her.
It was deep and fervent "Thank
God!' which broke from her compan-
ion, that loosened the flood-gates Of her
tears. Till then he had not spoken;
nor had he looked at her; but when he
turned and she heard those words, saw
the expression in his dark eyes, which
-, ~ HONS, ,t,e INVEST mt yv,nn,,s,,sp
She chung to his arm, she buried her
face against his shoulder, she trenl-
bled and wrung her hands. A long hill
lay before them. The mares trot had
subsidized into q quiet walk. He put his
arm around her, comforting her as
though she were q frightened child.
"Th here; there; it is all right-you are
quite safe. Don't cry. You shall never
60 near the place again"
She was so unstrung and beside her.
self that she sobbed her heart out as
if 1t were her fathers shoulder against
which she hid her eyes; she was oh.
Avious as to whose protecting arm sup
ported her, or whose hand patted her
0oothingly as though she was a baby
to be quieted by such treatment.
'What fell? What was It? Il was
killed.
"a sheep. poor brute! Don't talk Of
It Think of something else"
II can't" shuddering; 81 dare not
open my eyes; I am afraid / should see
It.
81 would not open them just vet.
You will be all right in a minute"
k II should not really have touched the
redns; only put out my hand"
ssIt was case of life or death.
did not have time to be gentle. am
awfully sorry. deserve to DE shot"
EIia omoir.o1fnO arm hold ho,. mora