The broad ax., 1899-05-02


derstrnek. then IN wild pursuit the TIVE
started. for, unthrovn a. yet the gin
stiIl sat the stirrup hanging loose. her
body ercuehing low aloha the ersat-
ure's back. her hands gripping with
eonvulsive clutch At her name.
Straight as an arrow went the mad
dened animal. straight to death for
both II seemed.
A half-mile space and more the
doWn-erest ran In low and gentle
sWeilings. 70 end abruptly at the edge
OF cutting deep and dangerous, whose
barren fence OF broken bars would
scarcely stay such terror-stricken
strides. No-help was there about Far
out at sea q boat with big white san
danced on the waves. as though In
moekery, away In a down hollow q lit
tie red flag waved: the golf players
threw aside their clubs and ran hope
less race.
SUN horse and groom rode on, he
with blanehed cheeks, his eyes Of are;
the horse with long, swinging strides.
as though he guessed his goat-snd at
last they gained-they gained. Inch
by inch, yard by yard. the distance
lessened!
To the girl. half-fa!nting now. came
shout musical with the sound Of
laundering hoofs. A voice she heard
and needed cried: "Sit up-let 70
your holdi''
Neck by neck ran horse and msre. a
pull, sudden swerye and the strong
arms were round Miss Doris. dragging
her from the saddle,
Well for her now were her youth and
lightness-IHe freedom Of her foot,
One breathless. maddening moment,
then dismounting from his painting
horse the groom laid his burden, safe
and sound, though for the moment
f=inting. gently on the turf. and turned
to see the mare rise at the fence 30
close now and 60 over into the abyss
beyond!
Here's a telegram Just come for you
and Miss Doris says viii you 90 ND d.
reetly and see her; she's In the little
sitting room" So said one Of the
maids to the groom going on with his
usual work in the stables now that the
nrst excitement and talk had worn
themselves out.
subtle nattery was In the GIRLS
glance and tone. but this, her first
chance Of hero worship, maybe awaited
her nothing.
Its object hastily tore open the tele-
gram. read Il, crushed Il into his peck
ct, then made straight for the door into
the house ani went on toward the lit
tie room she had spoken of.
Miss Doris. alone therein, flushed and
fair, with shining eyes. rose to receive
him. coming forward with outstretched
hands.
How can I ever thank your" she
said, and her voice was low and thrill
Ing. "You-you saved my life, and l.
what can I do for you in return. Surely
there is something' You need only
ask"
Her eyes fell. her cheeks paled q 1T |
tie. her hands. taken by him perforcs
for one moment, but only to be
dropped the next like live Goals.
elasped themselves nervously together.
What would he ask? A kiss OF her
lips perhaps or-her foolish girls heart |
beat with great throbs-if maybe he |
dared more. spoke Of love. would she! |
Could she.
He. too. twisted his hands, cleared
his throat, then spoke at last.
We'll. miss, II you would be so good.
really, you could do me a very great
kindness this very day. You see I'm !
but we've kept It dark, my
wife and me. because she was In a shop
md didn't want to lose her place II
but nowhere the groom
rev very red and pulled the crushed
telegram out Of his poeket-"but now
well, miss. there's baby; she's with
ny mother and they're doing well. she
Iud the little one. but it's twenty miles
way and she will be wishing to see
ne. I know II you would speak to Sir
Iohn for me maybe he'd let me have n
eW days holiday just to 20 and see
,aro