The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-11-06

ply impossible. She would sink, she
knew.
And Jack was thinking that he would
sink if she didn't. What was the mat
ter? How did she know that he pre-
sumed to love her? He would go away
where he could be by himself whilst he
thought it over. Accordingly he passed,
with long, soldierly strides, down the
avenue, followed the beaten road that
led out beyond the barracks.
Madeline, whether distraught with
sighting Jack or from mere freak of
feminine fancy, not long after rode
down the long street, mounted on Tiger
Chief; and for once she rode alone over
her accustomed route into the country.
The barracks was in considerations;
but as this was possibly n of the cir
cumstances counted on by Madeline,
she seemed unconscious Of anything
unusual, and galloped rapidly on, pass
ing Jack at a spanking pace, vouch-
safing him just the slightest inclination
of her head. She was soon out of
sight around a bend in the road that
wound through the woods, skirting a
creek hat flowed a few miles away into
the Laramie.
Jack, though much %perturbed, kept
moving mechanically forward. He had
an intimate acquaintance with the
character of Tiger Chief-an admirable
animal in the main, yet with a temper
prompting him to wild vagaries at mo-
ments when they could at least be
avoided and might do most harm.
Jack obtained his knowledge of Tiger
Chief from a supervision of his colt
hood and from many 4 royal battle for
supremacy. He saw Madeline disap-
pear at a reckless pace with deep mis-
givings. He hurried forward. The
beat of Tiger Chiefs hoofs could be
heard in rhythmic cadence till they
passed out of hearing.
In the silence following Jack passed
the bend in the road. There was IN
other a little farther on; Madeline was
out of sight. But a murmur struck his
ear, and he soon distinguished the
sound of mad hoof beats ON the hard
surface of the road ahead. Sight was
not needed to interpret this sound.
Tiger Chief had bolfed, and was now
plunging on his way back to the Bar
racks. Had he thrown Madeline? This
question was barely formed before it
was answered; for, like a whirlwind,
Tiger Chief came into view round the
bend, with head ~protruding and every
muscle d~istended, rushing on to disas-
ter.
Madeline was still on his back, cling
irg helplessly; her white face shone
over the TANKS of the black charger
like a dove flying athwart a thunder
cloud.
Nearer and nearer came the Fun-
quite undaunted by the human
midget he saw standing in his path.
He would run him down; he would
trample him under foot. With fierce
leaps the maddened horse sprang upon
the figure before him; it was not worth
while to swerve.
But what has he hanging to his
bride bits? What wrenches at the mus
cles of his neck and strikes his knee
Joints? Is it possible hat it is the man
lust struck down? He will shake
the i~ncumberance off. But, not still
clings and wrestles, and hauls his nose
to his feet. Now that the blood
is clearing from his eyes he will see.
What! Here, close to his face is the
king of men and horseback Silvis;
here, on his bride is the hand of the
man who reared him! What does it all
mean, anyhow? Tiger Chief dropped
his head and touched Jacks hand with
his nostris54 giving a sharp whinny as
expressive of sorrow and submission as
it was possible to make. /