The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1897-07-15


turn and walk slowly to the stables.
In n few seconds more the groom
brought the prancing animal, holding
firmly to the bit while Miss Emily
sprang lightly into the saddle. She
seemed such very feather to manage
the spirited horse, yet could not help
the thrill of pride as / watched the
tiny hands bring her into such quick
subiection, and the straight, 1.-THE
young figure sitting her seat to such
perfection.
The groom stood watching her anx-
iously down the avenue, but i was not
surprised when she had once disap-
peared from view, although greatly re-
lieved to see Mr.. Arthur leap into the
saddle and follow her. I knew, him
self unseen, ne had determined to
keep her in sight, and i somehow felt
safer to know she was in his charge.
Cruel as had been her words, he loved
her too we'll to heed them at such q
time.
The afternoon slowly passed away.
What was it that caused such shadow
of dread to creep over my heart?
Somehow, / could not shake it off.
From time to time l would steal away
from my other duties into my darling's
room, where everything so reminded
me of her, picking up the articles she
had thrown round in her careless
haste, and when all was in order, look
ing for something else to do to detain
me in the spot. Yet 1 would not ac-
knowledge the real extent and reason
of my uneasiness, even to myself, un-
til the sound of horses hoofs rapidly
nearing the house suddenly lifted the
load l had unconsciously been carry
ing and brought me within almost a
cry of thanksgiving to the window.
Yes, there was my darling's blue
habit huttering in the breeze. She
had returned unhurt, but the excite
ment must have been too great for her
strength, for, even from where stood,
I could but note the deathly pallor Of
her face, and fastened down to meet
her.
Ere I reached her side saw two Of
the men, in obedience to some hastily
issued commands, spring into their
saddles and ride rapidly down the
avenue. Then in another moment
Miss Emily lay almost fainting in my
arms.
ooh, Mamma" she exclaimed. 81
have killed him, and he will never,
never know how dearly loved him. "
l almost carried the poor child to
my room and laid her on the sofa,
noting, as | did so with shudder, the
two or three bright, red stains upon
her habit. What did they portend?
From time to time low moans es-
capped her half-parted lips, and / could
but contrast her with the bright, will
full girl who had ridden off few brief
hours before so full of hope and happi-
ness And then, in broken words, she
told the story. How at sudden turn
in the road, she had caught sight of
Mr.. Arthur following her and in very
perverseness of spirit touched lightly
with her whip the animal which need
ed restraint rather than urging, then
turned her head in the direction of the
pits, a road at any time dangerous, but
now, maddened by the touch of the
whip, the mare had taken the bit be-
tween her teeth, and the little hands
clenching the reins were powerless.
Mr.. Arthur saw her peril, and, putting
spurs to his horse in reckless defiance
of harm to himself, had put him to the
leap, endeavoring, by leaving the road,
to head her off and seize her rein. 1t
was race for life. A heap of stones
lay upon the road On one side there
was barely room for n single horse to
pass. Could he reach that first, he
might save her. There was no time to
question. BY an effort almost super
human he directed his horse to the
pass, and seized the bride which now
lay powerless in her grasp. The mare
swerved back, his own horse plunged,
and, in some way, how, she could not
tell, he lay beneath the maddened ami
mails feet, his head striking on the
cruel stones. The shock had brought
the mare to reason, and it now stood
still and trembling. But Arthur had
saved her life by giving his.
/ could but comfort the child as best
l might, when outside came the tread
of feet, and / knew they were bringing
their sad burden home. Pressing a
kiss on her forehead, / went forward
to meet it, but as through my tears l
bent to look over the dear face, l, too,
almost tainted, though this time for
Joy, for the great brown eyes were wide
open, and could almost fancy smiling
into mine.
The physicians gave us little hope
at first, however, and it was pitiful to
watch Miss Emily steal in and out of
the room where he lay so white and
still and suffering. All her old will
fulness had gone now, and l could see
how her heart was centered in him,
but at last we knew the best and the
worst. Life would be spared, but
Mr.. Arthur would be cripple for life. l."
lErl,.a,..l, oil thrnnnh