El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1901-01-04
Observation-Disclosures: go:
{ A CRUEL SACRIFICE. i
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We were keeping Christmas right mer
rily at the old manor house of Sto
Aswan, the home of my childhood, as i
had been that of my forefathers TO
many generations. We were in the mids
of white sea whose pillows were tn,
partially submerged hedges that dali,
| grew less noticeable as the snow driftet
la and piled above them.
The black pine forests of Salten haG
again sent forth the grim. bloodthirsty
pack of legiOnaries who for ages haC
| dwelt unmolested in its dark Businesses
| and the cry of ''Wolf!' was no longer, az
heretofore. an empty sound. All this
however. did not affect any Of our party
| born. used to the cold, full of health and
spirits. I. Ella Bleorn. daughter of the
| house. was the widest of that mad circle
| who had assembled at Stor Aswan at
Christmastide to do honor to my betroth-
| al to Eric Jarl, the lover of my youth,
ere long to be my husband.
So in dancing. feasting and merrymak-
Ing the week sped until a few hours
more would see us all scattered in vari-
Gus directions, to meet again we knew
not when or where. For the last day.
therefore, We had reserved the chief
pleasure. the browning point of all our
enJoyment-a sleighing and skating party
to Stor Aswan. a mountain encircled lake
some ten miles farther north, the same
from which our homestead derived its
quaint Runic name. This was to be our
vail. or greeting. to the new year-our
welcome to the incoming guest
Brightly dawned the evcntful morning,
clear and fair as heart could desire. All
nature seemed rejoicing like ourselves at
the advent of another year and one al
ready so full Of promise.
AT Icngfh we started Eric and I "a
hosts being the last Of the party for of
Course. he was my chariotecr. I we'll re-
mcinbcr my father standing Mt the door
to sec us go and, he tucked the bear
skin rug more closely around me, bidding
us return early and beware Of the Sal
ten hounds
We laughed at the warning then, but
had awful cause to remember it after
ward. Or lat day I shall not speak
We were all young and in wild spirits
and some of us in love.
But all things. even the plea santest
must come to an end So when the
shades of evening began to fall heavily.
merging earth. sky and water into one
gray. icaden cloud, We began our journey
homeward. Tired out with my exertions,
as soon as we started I nestled down
among the soft furs in the sleigh and, |
rocked by its easy motion, soon fell fast |
asleep.
How long l slept know not. but when |
l awokc it was showing fast and the |
darkness so intense that could not /
see a hands breadth before us. l called /
to Eric, who was driving. and asked if
all was well, to which the answer came
back. "All well, but for Gods sake try to
keep awake"
So l aroused myself and sat up, know
ing that sleep in that bitter night air
might mean death.
l
echo of our companions bells. I heard
another sound come up with the wind
l long drawn hollow moan. The third
lime the ponies also heard it. for they
'prang forward with an impetus that al
most shook me out of the sleigh.
Frightened. | said to Eric. What. oh,
what is thatT And the answer came
back short and stern, THE Salten
,oupds!" |,
Then began that terrible chase "for
lear life" which, though we should both |
i've for twice our allotted span, we could |
lever forget. Swiftly we sped along, our
teeds impelled by a terror great as |
'ur own until they appeared almost to |
Iy. BreathlesSly we hearkened, hoping |
ven yet to leave the enemy behind
Eric still held the reins. and l covered |
lown at the bottom of the sleigh and
'rayed more earnestly than l had ever
he snowdrift, or aught. even a miracle.
Z it might only save u.s.
In the middle of n white plain, with no |
ook or corner visible wherein we could |
axe refuge, and still nearly league
rom home. our case looked hopeless
nough. So our pursuers seemed to
hink as they now caught sight of us for
he first time and. lifting their black muz-
les from the ground. gave vent to a
owl of savage exultation. 1 could have /
creamed, too. when heard 1t, for fright
'as driving me half wild. 1t was so I'M
horrible to perish thus! But a
lance at Eric. so calm and steadfast
ave me new courage.
Faster and faster We few, like hunted
nimals. death behind us coming on
pace. A few yards more, and he would
aim us for his own.
Prompted by Eric, / threw out the
rug which protected me from
ne cold. For a moment they paused,
nelled at it, then on with fresh fury aft
their old prey. One by one, cushions.
raps, all went over to the hungry pack.
ach gaining us an instant's priceless de-
As the last fell from my hand the fore
lost wolf bounded forward, just miss
e my arm. while his strong, cruel jaws
ct with a painfully audible snap.
Then Eric turned and looked at me- :
long. loving glance-and began knotting
le reins to the iron side of the driving
at.
Instinctively divining his purpose OF
wing his life to save mine, ] sprang
inward and. clinging to him frantically.
hispered:
Dearest. remember. we stand or fall
getherr
A sudden thought justified by our dire
flashed through my brain. 1t
% o.. n,,s4l \ /