The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-03-17

familiar voice, but in moment, with
shrill neigh of terror, he sprang for
ward and darted madly away. The
truth was, as she had passed closely to
some wild rose bushes to gather one,
Lady Violante's long riding dress had
swept away bee, which at last escap-
ing the smothering folds, had revenged
itself on the TANKS of the innocent
steed.
Wheeling around abruptly, the goad-
ed beast dashed by the startled train,
and frantic with pain paid no regard
to rein or call. With wonderful pres
ence of mind Lady Violante kept her
seat and held on firmly, while she was
borne furiously along and only when
the animal dashed away from the high
way into lane leading to precipitous
cliff, descending abruptly to the river,
did her wild shrek for aid ring out
imploringly, and startle every ear.
Count German and several others
put spurs to their horses, but the very
attempt to reach her served only to ac-
celerate the speed of the terrified horse.
and in despair they desisted, and aimed
toward the river, hoping to intercept
her before the precipice was reached.
But her cry had reached and reused
a holder spirit than theirs. The youth
who had been left leaning gloomily
against the chestnut tree had heard
and seen all. Like an arrow shot from
trusty bow, he had flown forward leap
ed stile, rock and shrub, till he had
planted himself before THE fearful leap
toward which he saw the horse was
coming.
1t was a moments work to shout in
1lrm, courageous voice:
Il will save you, throw yourself
toward me, and you are safe:" as he
stood planted firmly to await the shock.
Less than that time to carry out the
critical design, Lady Violante compre-
hended his meaning, and with the ener-
gy or desperation. as she flew madly
| past, she threw her arms toward him.
He caught them, held her in a resolute
clasp, and tore her from the saddle.
AS the horse dashed On, both fell to
the ground, for the moment stunned
and bruised, while poor Jet went down
headlong to the water.
The youth was the first to recover
himself. He raised himself SLOWLY.
glanced at her lifeless figure, vainly
endeavored to raise it, and then grow.
ing faint, sank insensible beside her.
While the frantic companions of
Lady Violante's ride were exploring the
river, where they found the dead body
OF the horse-a body of servants, head
ed by the anxious father, who had re-
celved the alarm-examined the cliff
and came suddenly upon the insensible
pair. Both were borne tenderly to the
Chateau. Lady Violante soon revived.
and was but little injured. Her gallant
rescuer was more unfortunate. His
steady facing of the animal had caused
him fractured arm and ankle. the
pain of which was evidently aggravated
by some feverish distress of mind.
Garry me back" said he. Impatient
ly, as soon as he could speak coherent
ly, gazing ruefully at his handaged
limbs, and the anxious faces around
him-the worthy surgeon, the grateful
Count, and the plying countenance of
! Eiolante.
Garry you where?" asked the Count
quietly.
TO the roadside, to the cliff. any,
where but here was the reply. as the
glitteri1ss eyes turned wildly upon the
beautiful face beyond him.
may, nay, my friend. you surely can
not think we have so little gratitude as
that! You who have restored to us our
treasure, who have saved my child
from so terrible fate, and he shud-
dered-"surely you have rightful
claim to our gratitude and hospitality
at any time-and now that you are i'll
and suffering from your generous dar
ing surely you cannot think that we
will allow you to leave us! Calm your
self pray you, and seek the repose
your shattered nerves require. Your
commands will be the law of the Chat
eau"
And thus saying, the Count drew his
daughter toward him, bowed with
courteous dignity, and led her from the
room. The surgeon followed, after Civ
ing directions to the nurse, who had
been summoned to the care of the
stranger.
Left alone in the gorgeous chamber.
whose'richly draped windows softened
the light to dim, twilight-the young
man, powerless to move. yet showed
by his restless burning eyes how he
cbafed and writhed beneath the inexor-
able necessity of his novel position.
A week passed by, and though the
fractured bones were improving, still
the sharp-eyed surgeon was dissatisfied
with his patient
"He is fretting himself into fever,
he will die on our hands yet," said
he, lugubriously, there is something
on his mind. and all the medicine in
the world will fail to reach it,
Strange youth" answered the Count
gravely. II can make nothing out of
him. He will not even tell his name.
The daring he displayed in Lady vio-
lante's behalf seems strangely incon-
gruous with his present sullenness."
LADY Violante must try to move the