The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1896-11-19
CHAPTER VI-(Continucd..

OF l would not have thought of bring,
ing you"
"i'm getting better; l didn't know
should mind. 1t is very stupid of Inc.
I'm so sorry"
She was fighting brayely against her
fear, despising her swimming head and
the sickening quivers of faintness that
unstrung her muscles.
VIII you get out and walk"
This palliation of her misery was for
hidden by the thought that, to lilo OF
her descent from the cart, the horse
would have to step nearer TO the edge
OF the cliff, in which cast she knew
che would scream.
She shook her head.
".Shall l tell Phil to lead the mare?"
He was much concerned, for she had
grown very pale, and the smile she
forced to her lips was ~piteously I'M
real.
Eyes, l should like that" her voice
shook. THANK you"
But as Phil alighted to obey this as
tonishing order a sudden, sharp sound
above their heads startled them. They
booked up. Down the rugged face of
the cliff, hurled from crag to crag,
whirling like a gigantic bird through
the air, a gray, struggling mass was
seen 10 descend until it fell with a dull
s%ickening thud-such a sound as
bannts the memory for a lifetime
upon the road in front of the trembling
She stopped, backed a pace or
two, plunging and rearing in terror;
then. answering to the voice II hand
of her master. she dashed forward.
They passed that grim and shapeless
$50. lilo .,Atfa,lAa. nnI IlAA1
streal;ed on the road, in safety, but the
wheel Of the cart grated against the
wooden paling that guarded the edge
Of the precipice, and shivered it to
spIinters. Then, at a mad gallop, the
mare raced on. The air Missed past
them, the cart rocked like a 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 reifS- With rough fury he babe
her keep still and she obeyed.
Round the perilOus sweep of the cliff
they tore, whirling again so near their
death that he set his teeth. thinking
tire end had come. One fraction Of an
inch to the right and nothing would
bstNt tIl1uug put aSttii III ldhliI TT
answered to his voice and his grip Of
the rein. She swerved eyer so little to
the left and rushed safely by--on, cn.
scuddiag like a cloud before the wind
ON, until sky, sea, clouds and
cliffs mingled In one staggering pano-
rama
Aielen sat motionless. Once. when
she thought of her mother beset her,
che had clutched at the reins; other
wise she had not moved, nor had she
spoken. Through her mind the menu
DRY of heroes who had faced death
without fear came and strengthened
her. Though no one could know it 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."
Bu 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 a canter to
a trot> when they were safe and the
hideous sight of sea and cliff was left
far behind, then came the demon, re-
action, TO unnerye her.
IL was a deep and fervent THANK
(Sod!' which broke from her cOmpan-
lOH, lldL lpOStlitu IiIt llbDt SdltS - ht
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
met hers, she burst out weeping.
She clmg to his arm, she buried her
against his shoulder, she trem-
bled and wrung her hands. A long hill
before them. The mares trO had
~,I-Sl.l into n utliat Nr1 liz Hn MT his
arm around her, comforting her as
Though she were a frightened child.
- here, there; il is all right-yOu are
uuite safe. Don't cry. You shall never
go near the place again
She was so unStrung and beside her
self that she sobbed her heart out as
III il were her fathers shoulder against
which she hid her eyes; she was oh.
liyious as To whose protecting arm sup
ported her, or whose hand patted her
%soothingly as though she was n baby
to be ouietcd by such treatment.
"What fell? What was it? 1t was
killed"
"a sheep. poor brute. Don't talk Of
IL. Think of something else
al can't" shuddorinZ; II dare not
open my eyes; | AN &.,:.l should see
It"
81 would not open them just yet.
You will be all right in a minute"
'I should not really nave touched the
reins; l only put out my hand"
"It was a ease Of life or death. l
did not have time to be gentle. / 4 am
.awfully sorry. | deserve 10 De shot"
His encircling arm held her more
closely as he spoke, but during the
pause which followed Helen drew
away from him, covering her face in
her hands.
look here, don't give up like this"
he said rather alarmed. You have