Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-02-13

uOhCs uul otOOu AhSA hSAooh 70 49,
nm they walked up an down the
prairie for nigh a hull hour in the
moonlight. Wal, since them
Here Tom paused, for We had both
marked the approach Of Freeborn.
The old man surveyed us kindly.
Then no advanced and laid his hand
on my shoulder.
"Dick, my lad, yer wont be much
use out here tonight, fer yer look
clean tuckered out already. l want
ter send IL message ter my Millio.
She'll be worryln' about me bit, l
reckon, an it'll make her mind easy.
Will yer take it?"
Certainly" ! replied.
"Yer amt got no paper, hev yer?"
''No, but I will remember what you
tell me-"
The old man hesitated and looked
thoughtfully into the fire.
"Tell her." he began, slowly, "tell
her, Dear Millie. Got that, now"
eyes," I replied with a smile that
was unperceived.
"'Dear Millie, the COWS hev been a
calvin fine. Marquand tried to swipe
a lot, but it want no 60. I'm feelin'
fine. From your lovin' dad
repeated the message to his entire
satisfaction.
"That's all right, my lad, and now
be off, "But, wait minute"
He paused and took brand new
silver dollar from his pocket and put
it to his lips.
"Here! Tell Millie kissed it twice
where the woman is. She'll know
what I mean"
turned away, and, after selecting
q fresh pony, rode Oft toward the
ranch.
1t was beautiful moonlight night,
and as sped along the trail the words
of the simple message still sounded in
my ears, but as my heart warmed to.
ward the atfectionate father began to
feel certain misgivings concerning my
reception by his daughter at the
ranch. Tom Baxter's warning was
still fresh in my mind, and something
within me told me 1 would be too late
to avert an impending calamity. 1
thrust my spur further into the side
of my pony, and hastened faster on
my way.
At length the moonlight enabled nae
to discover, about mile distant, the
group of buildings on Freeborns s
ranch. Once moro urged my weary
animal to fresh burst of speed and
was rapidly nearing my destination
when I heard the hoof-beats of ap-
preaching horses. Peering searchingly
in front Of me I saw two riders-a man
and a woman.
No sooner had I made The discovery,
however, than was conscious of the
fact that I, too, was perceived and that
it was the intention of the riders to
avoid me. They turned abruptly to
the right and started eastward across
the unbroken prairie ground. In q
moment was after them.
That the horsewoman before me was
no other than Mildred Freebo I was
assured. She was mounted on II fleet
Kentucky thoroughbred that had been
the gift of her father. Her com.
panion, who was unknown to me, was
mounted on q Texas pony. Both ami
mails were fresh, and l was on the
point of abandoning the chase as hope.
less when perceived that difference
had arisen between Mildred and her
companion. The young woman seemed
disposed to draw rein and await my
approach, while her companion ap-
peared, by his gestures, to urge her to
greater haste. Her woman's will at
length prevailed, however, and, as 1
drew more near they stopped their
horses and turned the heads OF the
animals in my direction.
Upon arriving at the spot where
they awaited me, reined in my cx-
hausted horse and raised my hat. The
salutation was acknowledged by the
pale.faced girl to whom it was i'd
dressed, but as I observed her closely
/ saw that she hung her head.
"Miss Mildred, am the bearer Of a
message from your father" I said
coldly. "Will you receive it here?"
She nodded, and leaping from my
horse l walked toward her and paused
beside her stirrups. Then repeated
the simple message that her father had
bade me deliver aud placed the silver
dollar in her hand.
When I finished I retreated step
or two and watched her expectantly.
In few moments I saw the tears
trickling swiftly down her cheeks.
Then she suddenly swayed in her sad
die. and would have fallen had I not
assisted her to dismount.
Upon seeing the young woman in
my arms her companion, who had
been regarding me with vindlctive
eyes, thrust his spurs against his
horses sides and started toward me
with curse.
"Be off, or I'll fire!" he cried, as
his hand closed upon the revolver in
his belt
Without making q reply, strove to
disengage myself from the arms of the
woman who was now hysterically sob.
bing on my breast. Before l was able
to free myself, however. his weapon
was levelled at my head. Inow per-
ceived that any attempt to offer resist
ance would be futile. Resigning my
self to the inevitable, therefore, ]
placed my arms around the repentant
girl, and, looking her would.be de-
ceiver fairly in the face, ] awaited my
| fate.
For several moments we remained
thus, and I saw the eyes and brow OF
the Englishman grow gradually darker
and darker.
"Take it, then," he hissed.
My brain reeled, sickening sensa.
tion of despair pervaded my body, and
my limbs trembled beneath ME.
There was loud report. but no
fame burst forth from the pistol bar.
rel that had threatened me. McPher.
sons weapon fell from his hand. He
reeled in his saddle and his horse took
fright With q snort of alarm the
pony plunged madly forward and
made oil, dragging its rider beside it
| on the pround