The Forrest City times., 1899-03-03

responded sharply. conscious o. her
own weakness, and was rapidly losing
her temper. when-what happened ex-
actly was never quite clear to either.
| Whether or not the mare stumbled or
put her foot in hole unnoticed by her
absorbed rider-anyhow, she plunged
forward, recovered herself and reared,
then. with snort of mingled fright and
indignation. dashed wildly off. drag
| ging from her mistress careless hands
the loosely-held rein. to flap on her own
neck. bringing on herself thereby mad
frenzy of alarm. For one second of
horror groom and horse alike stood pet
rified and thunderstruck, then in wild
pursuit the two started, for, unthrown
as yet, the girl still sat, the stirrup
hanging loose, her body crouching low
along the creatures back, her hands
! gripping with convulsive clutch at her
name. Straight as an arrow went the
maddened animal-straight to death
for both. it seemed.
A half-mile space and more the down.
crest ran in low and gentle dwellings,
to end abruptly at the edge of a cut
ting deep and dangerous, whose bar
rem fence of broken bars would scarce
/ ly stay such terror-stricken strides. No
help was there about. Far out at sea a
| boat with big white sail danced on the
waves as though in mockery; away in
down hollow a little red flag waved;
the golf players threw aside their clubs
and ran hopeless race.
| Still horse and groom rode on, he
with blanched cheeks, his eyes of fire,
the horse with long. swinging strides,
as though he guessed his goal-and at
last they gained-they gained. Inch by
inch, yard by yard, the distance les
sened.
| To the girl, half fainting now, came
a shout musical with the sound of thun-
dering hoofs. A voice she heard and
needed cried: "Sit up--let go your
hold!"
| Neck by neck ran horse and mare. 4
pull, sudden swerve, and the strong
arms were round Miss Doris, dragging
her from the saddle!
! Well for her now were her youth and
| lightness-the 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
falnting, gently on the turf, and turned
to see the mare rise at the fence so close
now, and go over into the abyss be-
yond!
Here's telegram just come for
| you, and Miss Doris says will you go
up directly and see her; she's in the lit
tie sitting-room." So said one of the
maids to the groom going on with his
usual work in the stables now that the
| first excitement and talk had worn
themselves out.
| Subtle fattery was in the girls
glance and tone, but this, her first
chance of hero worship, maybe availed
her nothing.
Its object hastily tore open the tele-
| gram; read it, crushed it into his
pocket, then made straight for the door
into the house, and went on toward the
little 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 l ever thank you?" she
said, and her voice was low and thrill
ing. "You-you saved my life, and L
what can do for you in return? Sure
| ly there is something? You need only
ask"
| Col ohaa
tie, her hands taken by him perforce
for one moment, but only to be dropped
the next like live Goals, clasped them
selves 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.
well, miss, if you would be so good,
! really, you could do me a very great
kindness this very day. You see, I'm
married, but we've kept it dark, my
wife and me, because she was in a shop
and didn't want to lose her place if pos
sible, but now" here the groom grew
very red and pulled the crushed tele-
gram out of his pocket, "but now-well,
miss, there's a baby; she's with my
mother, and they're doing well, she and
the little one. but it's 20 miles away.
and she will be wishing to see me,
know. If you would speak to Sir John
for me. maybe he'd let me have few
days holiday just to go and see her.
Chicago Times-Herald.
An Eye to business.