The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1897-11-04

self, until the sound of horses hoofs
rapidly nearing the house suddenly
lifted the load I had unconsciOusly
been carrying and brought me with
almost a cry of thanksgiving to the
window. Yes, there was my darling's
blue habit fiuttering in the breeze. She
had returned unhurt, but the excite
ment must have been too great for her
strength, for, even from where I stood,
l could but note the deathly pallor of
her face, and fastened down to meet
her.
Ere I reached her side I saw two of
the men, in obedience to some hastily
issued commands, spring into their
saddles and ride rapidly down the ave-
nue.. Then in another moment Miss
Emily lay almost fainting in my arms.
"Oh, Mamma she exclaimed, Il have
killed him, and he will never, never
know how dearly l loved him."
l almost carried the poor child to
my room and laid her on the sofa,
noting, as I did so with a %shudder, the
two or three bright, red stains on her
habit. What did they portend?
From time to time low means es-
capped her half-parted lips, and 1 could
but contrast her with the bright, will
full girl who had ridden off a few brief
hours before SO full of hope and hap
piness. And then, in broken words,
she told the story. How at a sudden
turn in the road, she had caught sight
OF Mr.. Arthur following her and in
very perverseness of spirit touched
lightly with the whip the animal which
needed restraint rather than urging,
then turned her head in the direction
of the pits, a road at any time danger
Gus, but now, maddened by the touch
of the whip, the mare had taken the
bit between her teeth, and the little
hands clenching the reins were power
less. Mr.. Arthur saw her peril, and,
putting spurs to his horse in reckless
defiance CT harm to himself, had put
him to the leap, %endeavoring by leav-
ing the road, to head her off and seize
her rein. 1t was a race for life. A
heap of stones lay upon the road. On
one side there was barely room for a
single horse to pass. Could he reach
that frat, he might save her. There
was no time to question. By an effort
almost superhuman 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 mad
dened animals feet, his head striking
on the cruel stones. The shock had
brought The mare to reason, which now
stood still and trembling. But Arthur
had saved her life by giving his.
l could but comfort the child as best
I might, when outside came the tread
of feet, and l knew they were bring
ing their sad burden home. Pressing
a kiss on her forehead, I went for
ward to meet 1t, but as through my
tears l bent to look owe the dear face,
l, too, almost tainted, though this
time for joy, for the great brown eyes
were wide open, and I could almost
fancy smiling into mine.
The physicians W. us little hope
az first, however, and it was pitiful
to watch Miss Emily steal in and ouI
Of the room when he lay so white and
still and suffering. All her old will
fitness 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 a cripple for life"
Through me, Nanna-all through
met" she moaned forth when she heard
it. Glow he must hate even to look
at mel" But l had watched his gaze
fellow her too often not to know diff
ferently.
l vas busy one day in his room q
think they scarcely knew l was there
when Arthur called her to his side.
Il want to say something to you
Emily" he began; something which
has been a long time on my mind. Yor
must not reproach yourself for this
You must not let it interfere some day
with your giving your love to a mar
more worthy of it, and you must re-
member no one will rejoice more thar
| in you happiness"
For a moment she stood still, hel
cheek flushing and paling; then sht
threw herself at his feet. ooh, Ar
thur" she exclaimed, will you no
take me? Have you learned so t.
hate me that all the old love ha
gone?"
l Gomez he answered, stroking tn
bright hair. Emily, can a man par
with that which has become a part O
his soul? But, my darling, l canno
> consent to you tying your young, joy
Gus life to mine"
1 Arthur! Husband!" she whispere,
, softly; then I stole from the room
knowing my presence would not b
y missed, and sure my darling woul
Z win her cause. Nor do | think, in tn
! many happy years which since the
have lol!ed along, leaving me an oil
/, wCmap now, either has ever regrette
that for orce and the last time Mis-
, Emily had her willful way.-New Yer
Ledger.
IlraOnn.S Horn Vrn,,